Elements of Argumentative Writing

What is argumentative writing? An argument is a statement, a reason, or a fact for or against a point. Its purpose is to convince or persuade. To write an effective argumentative essay, you have to understand your purpose, audience, and content.

Thesis Statement A thesis statement is the author’s main point or position on an issue. The thesis statement has a subject, and an opinion. Example: I believe students should wear dress code to help them learn. My subject is school dress code, and my opinion is that school dress code is good because it benefits students. The thesis is not the title.

Counter-argument A counter-argument is given in opposition to an argument. It provides reasoning or facts to oppose an argument. For example, Ms. Thomson may say that school dress code is not beneficial for students because they can’t be creative when they’re told what to wear.

Persuasive Techniques Argumentative essays often use persuasive techniques, like those we saw when we analyzed advertisements. These include: Bandwagon, Avant-Garde, Testimonial, Facts/Figures, and Transfer

Evidence for your Argument We need to find evidence for our argument by looking at other sources of information. This includes newspaper articles, internet resources, or other opinion pieces by RESPECTED authors. This does NOT include sources like Wikipedia as a primary source, only as a seccondary source, (i.e. after you have already checked out some other material.)

Writing your argumentative essay Your essay will have four paragraphs: An introduction paragraph This introduction paragraph will have a thesis statement, explaining your main point. Two body paragraphs, each discussing a reason and evidence for your opinion. A conclusion paragraph, re-stating your main point and evidence.

Introduction Paragraph 1st sentence – Introduce the topic you are discussing. 2nd sentence – Tell me why you think this topic is important. 3rd sentence – Write your thesis, explaining your subject and your opinion on the subject.

Body Paragraph #1 – Support your Thesis 1st sentence – This topic sentence will explain your 1st reason for your thesis. 2nd sentence – Use a piece of evidence from an article. 3rd sentence and 4th sentence – Explain why that evidence supports your topic sentence and thesis. 5th sentence – Wrap up this body paragraph by restating your topic sentence and reminding the reader of your evidence.

Body Paragraph #2 – Support your Thesis 1st sentence – This topic sentence will explain your 2nd reason for your thesis. 2nd sentence – Use a piece of evidence from an article. 3rd sentence and 4th sentence – Explain why that evidence supports your topic sentence and thesis. 5th sentence - Wrap up this body paragraph by restating your topic sentence and reminding the reader of your evidence.

Conclusion Paragraph 1st sentence – Restate your thesis 2nd sentence – Remind the reader of your 1st body paragraph’s evidence and why it’s important. 3rd sentence – Remind the reader of your 2nd body paragraph’s evidence and why it’s important. 4th sentence – Final interesting sentence to end the essay by relating it to your audience.