1. CPN 101--Writing an Argumentative Essay
Steps in Writing
an Argumentative Essay
(Note: These steps apply to both the argumentative essay and the argumentative research essay.)

2. CPN 101--Writing an Argumentative Essay
1. Choose a topic
You will be given a choice of topics for both the argumentative synthesis essay and the argumentative research essay from which to choose your topic.

3. CPN 101--Writing an Argumentative Essay
2. Narrow the topic down and choose a debatable aspect of the topic.

4. CPN 101--Writing an Argumentative Essay
example:
topic:
sharing of music files through the Internet

5. CPN 101--Writing an Argumentative Essay
narrowed topic (not debatable):
the passage of the law allowing music companies to prosecute people who share music files through the Internet

6. CPN 101--Writing an Argumentative Essay
narrowed topic (debatable):
the constitutionality or the ethical justification for the new law allowing music companies to prosecute people who share music files through the Internet

7. CPN 101--Writing an Argumentative Essay
3. Make an assertion about the narrowed topic.
assertion: a statement that expresses an opinion, a point of view, etc.

8. CPN 101--Writing an Argumentative Essay
example:
not an assertion (just a statement of fact):
Earlier this year a law went into effect that allows music publishing companies to track down and sue people who share files of copyrighted music through the Internet.

9. CPN 101--Writing an Argumentative Essay
assertion:
It’s wrong for music companies to be able to access people’s personal computers and get them in trouble for files that happen to be there.

10. CPN 101--Writing an Argumentative Essay
assertion:
This law is good and needed because it protects the copyrighted material and thus the whole business of these companies.

11. CPN 101--Writing an Argumentative Essay
4. Compose an argumentative thesis statement
(you may also do this after you’ve planned or after you’ve drafted your entire essay)

12. CPN 101--Writing an Argumentative Essay
argumentative thesis statement:
Even though the U.S. electoral system has served our country well for more than 200 years, it is clearly in need of major reform.
assertion
(indicates that the essay will pay attention to the historical background of the issue and to contrary arguments)

13. CPN 101--Writing an Argumentative Essay
argumentative thesis statement:
The U.S. electoral system needs to be
assertion
reformed because it is antiquated, it doesn’t truly reflect the will of the voters, and it causes too much division in our country as shown in the last presidential election.
(indicates that the first major part of the essay will discuss the obsolescence of the system, the second will argue how it is unrepresentative and the third will talk about the political and social conflicts caused by it)

14. CPN 101--Writing an Argumentative Essay
argumentative thesis statement:
The United States sometimes resembles a banana republic with the way our system for electing presidents has become so uncertain and strife-ridden.
(assertion is implied)