HOW TO WRITE AN ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

1. Pick Your Topic

• Select the topic on which you want to base your essay and evaluate each side before settling on one. Make sure the topic is one that is arguable, meaning it should have two opposing sides to it. Evaluating both sides of the fight is important as it creates a sense of conviction on what is correct and will go a long way in making your argument easier to make. You also need to come up with your thesis statement. This will give a clear indication as to what the essay is going to cover.

2. Focus the Topic

• Many controversial topics that people have long taken opposing views on tend to be very broad and would require thousands of pages of analysis to fully explore, It is easier to focus on a specific aspect of the topic in order to make coherent arguments

3. Know Your Audience

• When it comes to the actual style of writing to be used, it is helpful to know who will be the primary reader. If the essay is part of an academic assignment then the teacher or professor will be the audience. In such an event, they would expect to see a professionally written essay with lots of evidence to back up your thesis statement.

4. Conduct Research

• Be sure to study and collect as much information as you can to make your case. Ina an argumentative essay, the writer should present at least three solid arguments in his favor and two from the opponent's side. He or she should however still be able to refute the opponent's arguments.

Cont….

• Get the right information to present in the essay, try to source information from books, magazines, journals, newspapers, reports and online resources.

• Be careful in the choice of websites you rely on for information as there are many wildly inaccurate articles

5. Make your case

• In arguing your case, ensure you have lots of solid evidence to lean on and that you have interpreted and applied it correctly to clearly show that your side has the upper hand. Ensure your line of reasoning is sound and that the steps you have taken to reach your conclusion are clear and understandable.

6. Introduction

• Introduce your reader to the topic you intend to pursue. Give a brief background on the controversies involved and how opposing sides view the issue. Add a second paragraph to this section where you make your stand on the issue known. Indicate your thesis statement here. Give a few compelling reasons why you feel the way you do.

7. The Body

• This section will normally be made up of about five paragraphs. The first three paragraphs should expound on why you believe your side is the right one. Each paragraph should have its own reason and should be backed up with evidence to confirm its veracity.

• The remaining two paragraphs are to be used to give the opposing side a hearing. The writer should take at least two main arguments from the opponents' side and provide a rebuttal that nullifies their argument. In essence this part is about using the opponent's arguments against themselves.

8. Conclusion

• The conclusion should cover all the earlier points made briefly and reiterate the writers' position as indicated in the introduction. All the sections of the essay should support the thesis statement meaning you do not have to expound much in the conclusion.

9. Proofread and Revise

• Once you have completed your essay, take time to go through the entire document and ensure you have all your grammar and spelling in check. Also ensure that the way you have structured and put down the essay is convincing and fluent.

Note…

• When arranging your points in the main body, always arrange them in the order of weakest to strongest. This usually produces the biggest impact on the reader.

• Use an outline to chart the direction of your essay. This is especially important when doing research.

• As you take down arguments and evidence, use your resources carefully. Do not copy and paste entire sections or you may wind up accused of plagiarism. Draw the relevant information from your resources and write them in your own words in the essay

Cont…

• Do not choose weak arguments from the opponent's side to win your case. This weakens the body of your essay. Choose from their main arguments and come up with strong rebuttals that convincingly counter their premise or at the very least offer a workable solution.

• Be sure to always cite your sources

• No matter how passionate you may be about the topic under discussion, please try to keep your arguments impartial and based in facts.

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