Writing Tips: Argumentative Essay

How to write it?

The formula to write an argumentative essay

There are uncountable different formulas to create an essay, through your deep studies, you are most certainly going to develop your own style with time. However, it is indeed a good idea to have starting parameters. Allow yourself to examine an incredibly consistent one, done with just five paragraphs.

1. Introduction
The introduction is made of three parts being:

Hook: The first sentence, also known as hook, is where the author (you) ”grab the reader’s attention”, hence administering a feeling of interest in reading the whole production.
Background: on the background section, the author can grant the reader a brief touch on what it is going to be said concerning the following paragraphs.
Thesis: the last sentence of the first paragraph should deliver a concept of what is the essay position over the topic. Being for, or against it makes no difference.

2/3/4. Arguments
The argumentation part can be divided in three paragraphs – two supporting arguments and one against. Each of these can be divided in two sections:

Claim: a statement about the topic that you are supporting with both arguments and data in the next part.
Data/Evidence: After the statement is given, one should prove it through the usage of arguments.
Counter argument: the final argument, which is against the ones supported by the author, this one should be given coherently, but soon after, you should show why you disagree with this perspective by using arguments.

5. Conclusion
At the final paragraph, the author has to give a conclusion showing that, witht the data previously given, it is possible to prove a point of view as being the right one. In addition to that, the author could picture ”what the effect would be” if the stated right point of view was implemented.

Reasoning with the reader

Reasoning through the use of questions

A great way to engage the reader is by anticipating questions your reader may have. Remember: readers should have questions. If they do not, your thesis is most likely simply an observation of a fact, not an arguable claim. So, in your essay, expect to answer the following questions – as stated by Elizabeth Abrams, for the Writing Center at Harvard University:

What?
The first question to anticipate from a reader is “what is the evidence that shows the phenomenon described is true?”
Examine your evidence, thus demonstrating the truth of your claim. This ‘what’ or ‘demonstration’ section should come early on in your essay, often directly after the introduction, since you are essentially reporting what you have observed.
How?
Typically, an essay will include at least one “how” section. This section usually comes after the “what”.
“How does the thesis stand up to the challenge of a counter-argument?”. How does this introduction of another set of sources, or a new view affects the claims you’ve made?
Why?
There is a high chance that your reader will also want to know “why does your interpretation of a phenomenon matter to anyone else beside you?”
Answering this question allows your readers to understand your essay within a larger context. Hence, in answering the why, your essay is going to explain its own significance. Although you might gesture at this question in your introduction, the fullest answer to it properly belongs at your essay’s end. Without this answer, your readers will experience your essay as an unfinished or pointless reading.

Check more writing strategies at the harvard university page.

Grammar & Review

Even though writing can be easy and fun if you only apply techniques that you’re comfortable with, you shouldn’t permit yourself to stay at the comfort zone!
Make use of tools like:

• Formal writing: Avoid slangs or idioms for this type fo text. You might apply phrasal verbs with though.
• Conjunctions: These are a crucial way to connect elements for your arguments. Use all its variants, but maintain the formality coherence by not joining informal and formal ones.
• Perfect tenses: By using those, your essay is going to become certainly a lot more pleasant to the reader, thus save no vocabulary, use all your artillery!
• Variable synonyms: You probably will have to show things more than twice. Avoid repeating words as much as possible.
• Indefinite pronouns: Giving support to your arguments by mentioning sources doesn’t necessarily mean you should name and date them every single time.

First peson pronouns might be used into specific cases on argumentative essays. Consider the circumstances below:

• You can use first person when you include a personal anecdote.
• You may use first person when convincing/ establishing your credibility.
• You are allowed to use first person when clarifying passive constructions, to avoid confusion, nevertheless, you must not use a first person pronoun in any other case.

Reviewing your essay is as important as writing it, take your time and read it aloud to put yourself in your reader’s shoes.