An argumentative essay is one of the most frequently written types of essays and is something that you may need to write for yourself. In this article, we are going to be looking at what an argumentative essay is and how you can write one. We are also going to take a look at some examples of argumentative essays as a way of gaining a further understanding of how they are written.
What Is An Argumentative Essay?
The argumentative essay is one which is used to present an argument surrounding two side of any particular issue. The essay can be written as a way of presenting both sides of the argument as equal or it might be written with one side taking preference over the other. This would be done when the writer has a specific opinion on the topic.
How To Write An Argumentative Essay
If you are going to write an argumentative essay, there are certain points to consider before you begin. Most essays of this type are structured in a uniform way, as follows:
- Introduction: This section is used as a way to get the attention of the reader and often includes a hook, the thesis statement and a general outline of what the essay is going to be about.
- Body: The body of the argumentative essay is used to present the initial argument along with any facts or data that support it.
- Counterargument: The counterargument of the essay is a section dedicated to showing the opposing side of the argument that was previously discussed. Once again, facts and data should be included.
- Conclusion: When writing a conclusion to an argumentative essay, the writer should sum up all of the points that have been made, present a call to action and refer to the thesis statement once again.
When writing this type of essay, there are two models which are usually used, these are the Rogerian model and the Toulmin model. They are structured as follows:
- The Rogerian model lays out two sides of an argument and gives weaknesses and strengths related to both. After this, the author can give a recommendation of his or her own thoughts based on the evidence provided.
- The Toulmin model will show an introduction to the subject using a claim or a thesis and will then present the reader with facts to support this claim. The author will then make use of warrants to show the reasons that this claim should be supported as well as ways it can be rebutted.
Some further tips for writing a good argumentative essay are as follows:
- Write on a topic that you feel passionate about. This will ensure that you put across a good argument. Your passion for the subject will be reflected in your writing.
- It is very important that you gather your facts and data prior to writing. You should always ensure that you use credible sources to make sure that facts are real and up to date.
- Don’t forget to outline your essay before you start to write, this way you are able to structure your work and make sure that all the important points are included.
- If you are arguing one specific side of a topic, it is important that you are aware of the opposing points so that you can refute them in a realistic manner. So don’t forget to research these as well.
Topics For Argumentative Essays
There are a whole wealth of topics that you might choose to write about when it comes to penning an argumentative essay, in fact there are so many that it can somewhat confusing when trying to select one. As we mentioned, it is important to write about something that you have a passion for, but let’s now take a look at some ideas of topics which you might write about.
- Everyone should receive a free education.
- Why are Americans getting more and more overweight?
- What is the relationship between fitness and food?
- Animals should not be used for research or experiments.
- Should those who destroy the rainforest face a punishment?
- The worlds most corrupt country.
- Are school tests useful?
- Golf is a demanding sport.
- Swimming is the best form of exercise.
- Children should have limited access to the internet.
- Is the monarchy important?
Learn more with hundreds of interesting argumentative essay topics.
Examples Of Argumentative Essays
Now that you are aware of how to write an argumentative essay and have chosen a topic, you might need a little inspiration or a further understanding of how this type of essay is written. We are now going to take a look at some passages from argumentative essays to inspire you.
Put A Little Science In Your Life Written By Brian Green
If we consider the ubiquity of personal computers, iPads and the net, it is not hard to see how science and technology have been woven into the very fabric of our day to day lives. When we see the benefits of things like MRI devices, CT scanners, arterial stents and pacemakers, we are able to appreciate immediately how science can affect our quality of life. If we assess the world’s state and look at upcoming challenge such as climate change, pandemics, threats to security and a lack of resources, we won’t hesitate to turn to science as a way of gauging the problems and finding a solution.
The Flight From Conversation Written By Sherry Tuckle
We have become accustomed to a way of being alone together. This is enabled by technology and we are then able to be with each other at the same time as being elsewhere, always connected to anywhere we wish to be. We want to be able to customise our lives and be able to move in and out of anywhere as the thing we most value is having control over where our attention is focused. We are used to the idea of being loyal to our party and being in a tribe.
Conclusion
Being one of the most common types of essay, the argumentative essay is fairly simple to write. There are various rules that one should follow when writing this type of essay and in this article, we have shown you some useful ways of doing this. Selecting a topic that you are passionate about is a must when it comes to writing an argumentative essay and the examples we have shown here serve as a great inspiration for your own work.
Argumentative Essay Infographic
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