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20 Easy and Free Argumentative Essay Examples for Students

By February 22, 2023March 26th, 2023No Comments

An argumentative essay is one that makes a clear assertion or argument about some topic or issue. When you’re writing an argumentative essay, it’s important to remember that an academic argument is quite different from a regular, emotional argument.

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  2. This tip applies to every aspect of writing an argumentative essay.
  3. Grammarly finds all of your writing mistakes for you so you can stay focused on what’s important.
  4. The last sentence in your introduction should be your thesis statement.
  5. In some cases, evidence can come in the form of photos, video footage, or audio recordings.
  6. They’re going to expect you to do some of the dirty work of interpreting the evidence for them.

The conclusion synthesizes all of the information included in the argumentative essay. Referred to as an essay outline, it usually includes three major parts, but it’s not limited to that number. A standard argumentative essay is made up of three to five body paragraphs that explain your stance on the topic. Below is a detailed example of how an argumentative essay https://hamaniaonline.co.il/?p=4114 can be structured. Argumentative essays can be rather challenging as you need to present your argument and prove it is the correct viewpoint. It requires critical thinking skills and basic knowledge of argument types. Additionally, the format of an argumentative essay is tricky since in addition to supporting your assertions, you must refute the opposing views.

What Is An Argumentative Essay?

Go through reasons one by one and challenge them to answer “because” in a credible way. Qualifying the other side means parts of the opposing argument can’t be dismissed entirely. In this case, list concessions that recognize their validity but focus on the areas they are incorrect. Words like “but” and “except” are commonly used in connection with concessions. When you are summarizing opposing arguments, be charitable.

what is argumentative writing definition

At the end, the author leaves the decision up to the reader, trusting that the case they’ve made will do the work of changing the reader’s mind. Whatever the situation, you found yourself needing to explain and defend your view to people who were convinced otherwise. In this type of argument, you use a definition as the starting point for making your case. For example, in a definition argument, before introducing a auote you might argue that NCAA basketball players should be defined as professional players and, therefore, should be paid. With this type of writing, you need to propose a solution to a problem. First, you must establish a clear problem and then propose a specific solution to that problem. For example, you might argue for a removal of parking fines on students who use the parking deck on campus.

As you write, be sure to include:

The Toulmin Method helps disprove an argument or discuss a complex issue. After that, express the warrant, or assumption, that connects the claim to the reasons. Will you reject the counterargument and explain why it is mistaken? Either way, you will want to leave your reader with a sense that your argument is stronger than opposing arguments. The claim that bloodletting is beneficial to human health was not widely questioned until the 1800s, and some physicians continued to recommend bloodletting as late as the 1920s. Medical practices have now changed because some people began to doubt the effectiveness of bloodletting; these people argued against it and provided convincing evidence. Human knowledge grows out of such differences of opinion, and scholars like your instructors spend their lives engaged in debate over what claims may be counted as accurate in their fields.

In real life, you’ll often want to examine carefully every perspective on the issue and balance between them — don’t do it here. Tend to focus on sales and emotional manipulation rather than truth vetting or knowledge making. Remember that you can always order essay from our service if you would like to avoid writing an essay yourself.

Critical reading

You also don’t want to make an argument about a topic that’s already a proven fact, like that drinking water is good for you. While some people might dislike the taste of water, there is an overwhelming body of evidence that proves—beyond the shadow of a doubt—that drinking water is a key part of good health. Some topics—like whether cats or dogs are cooler—can generate heated arguments, but at the end of the day, any argument you make on that topic is just going to be a matter of opinion. You have to pick a topic that allows you to take a position that can be supported by actual, researched evidence. This evidence can include facts, statistics, examples, and other forms of data that help to prove or disprove the thesis statement. Here is another example to help you with writing an effective argumentative essay. To make sure that you write a good argumentative essay, read the different types of examples mentioned in this blog.

Once research has been conducted and a position has been established, writers must form a thesis that will guide the writing of their argumentative essay. Additional research may be needed to support the claim of the thesis. The structure of an argumentative essay follows a standard format of an introduction, followed by three argumentative points introduced in three separate body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Persuasive writing is any written communication with the intention to convince or influence readers to believe in an idea or opinion and to do an action. Many writings such as criticisms, reviews, reaction papers, editorials, proposals, advertisements, and brochures use different ways of persuasion to influence readers. It can be confused with opinion writing; however, it is much different.

Function of Argumentative Essay

It helps me approach clunky phrases and rough transitions with fresh eyes. If you don’t have that luxury, just get away from your computer for a few minutes — use the bathroom, do some jumping jacks, eat an apple — and then come back and read through your piece. Any background information your reader needs in order to understand the issue in question. In your first draft, focus on getting your ideas on the page.

what is argumentative writing definition

Introduces the reader to the topic of the paper AND identifies the specific arguments that will be used to support the writer’s argument. Unlike a persuasive essay that uses emotion to sway its audience, an argumentative essay uses logic and reason to state its case. When you read, ask yourself questions like “What is the author trying to prove? As we mentioned, it is important to write about something that you have a passion ending an essay with a question for, but let’s now take a look at some ideas of topics which you might write about. Argumentative essays thrive on factual proof from credible sources, and you don’t want to waste time searching for data that doesn’t exist. If you can’t find enough facts to back up your thesis, maybe you shouldn’t argue that point in the first place. The thesis itself should be the one takeaway you want your readers to leave with.

Takeaway #2: Make Your Argument the Focus of the Essay

That’s why it’s important to know the difference between evidence and explanations, and how and when to use both in your argumentative essay. In more concrete terms, a thesis statement conveys your point of view on your topic, usually in one sentence toward the end of your introduction paragraph. It’s very important that you state your point of view in your thesis statement in an argumentative way—in other words, it should state a point of view that is https://www.amananet.co/nl/how-many-pages-is-1-000-words/ debatable. You establish your position on the topic by writing a killer thesis statement! The thesis statement, sometimes just called “the thesis,” is the backbone of your argument, the north star that keeps you oriented as you develop your main points, the—well, you get the idea. If there’s one writing skill you need to have in your toolkit for standardized tests, AP exams, and college-level writing, it’s the ability to make a persuasive argument.

what is argumentative writing definition

Did you look up statistics on teen driving and use them to show how you didn’t fit the dangerous-driver profile? These are all types of argumentation, and they exist in academia in similar forms. This handout will define what an argument is and explain why you need one in most of your academic essays. 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.

There are three typical structures for argumentative essays:

You need to find a piece of evidence to support each claim you make and then comment on it. Good argumentative essay topics should be debatable, relevant, relatable, and compelling. Also, argument topics should not be too broad or, on the contrary, too narrow but have to give you enough scope for research and developing your ideas in a short essay. And, most importantly, it has to be interesting to you because only this way can you handle the task well and without a hassle. The second body paragraph mentions the second most important element of the argument. It gives the idea of the point that will discuss in the following paragraph. Argumentative essays are an inevitable part of academic life.

Researches found that recognizing opposing points of view and providing substantial rebuttals makes a paper much more convincing and persuasive. The Toulmin Model of Argumentation is credited as the ideal framework for argumentation. It consists of claim, data, warrant, backing qualifier and rebuttal. The argumentative essay must be smooth to allow you to persuade the audience. The smooth flow of the text, its logical structure, and the use of persuasive techniques will help you get the grade you want.

Causal Arguments

In some essays, the introduction should also include background information. For example, in an essay about taxing sugary soda drinks, 1984 essays background information might include information on the growing number of people purchasing sodas, and the growing obesity epidemic.

  1. Then, below each point, paste the evidence that backs them up.
  2. Though it’s usually organized as an essay, Myrtle’s letter to her parents is also a type of argumentative writing.
  3. You’re making a variety of points, but your argument should feel like a cohesive whole.
  4. For example, some people argue that a hotdog is a sandwich.
  5. For the college level, it is recommended to use simple language and avoid the use of complex words in essays.
  6. According to the National Center for Education Statistics , students with a bachelor’s degree demonstrate the highest employment rate, which constitutes 86%, in comparison with non-graduates.

Your thesis statement tells your reader what your argument is, then the rest of your essay shows and explains why your argument is logical. Make the bulk of your argument, and then address the opposition all at once how to write a good informative essay in a paragraph – This approach puts the opposition in its own section, separate from your main argument. Once you’ve addressed the opposition, you write a conclusion that sums up why your argument is the better one.

For an argumentative essay, you can either state your main point or mention the opposing view and refute it immediately. Remember that each body paragraph should support your argumentative essay thesis statement and provide claims with adequate reasoning.

  1. Or, in your literature class, you might be asked to argue the effects of protest literature on public policy in the United States.
  2. It is written to convince the reader and make them understand your point of view.
  3. You also don’t want to make an argument about a topic that’s already a proven fact, like that drinking water is good for you.
  4. Further, the source of some evidence can be questionable.
  5. “Argument and Research” focuses on analysis, sythesis and evaulation, logical thinking, the techniques of argument, writing about literature, and preparation of the documented essay.