1. Tips for Crushing the Argument Essay

2. What do I have to do?
First things first—you must be clear about what the prompt is asking you to do. Spend some time “unpacking.”
Different wording, but pretty much the same thing: Take a clear position.
Write an essay that defends, challenges, or qualifies . . .
Write a carefully argued essay that agrees or disagrees with . . .
Write an essay in which you develop a position on the issue of . . .
Write an essay in which you consider the extent to which an author’s observation holds true . . .
Write an essay that explores the validity of . . .
Write an essay in which you evaluate the pros and cons of the author’s argument. Use appropriate evidence as you examine each side, and indicate which position you find more persuasive . . .

3. What should I think about next?
Consider your options in terms of responding. You may fully agree with one “side” or the other. Or, you may qualify. Be sure, however, that you have a clear claim supported by appropriate evidence. (In other words, do not provide evidence for both sides without clearly taking a position of your own.)
Consider the many areas from which you may choose evidence: history, current events, pop culture, business and industry, the environment, literature, technology, etc.
Make sure your evidence is specific. Avoid generalizations and absolutes. Use “qualifiers” such as often, in many cases, frequently, sometimes.

4. Getting specific with your evidence
Evidence from literature should “zoom in” on one moment with 1-2 character(s) as the focus. It should also pivot from the world of the novel to connect with real life.
Evidence from current events or history should be focused on a particular moment or narrowed event (rather than, for example, World War II in general).
Evidence from personal experience should be focused on a particular moment that will be taken seriously by your audience. Consider congruity of examples – Going from world war to personal heartache requires a meaningful transition (sometimes several sentences of “buffer”); otherwise, one of your examples may come across as trivial.

5. Getting specific with your evidence
Evidence from social observation requires specific details in some form to get beyond broad generalizations.
Evidence from pop culture must be thoughtful. Movie and book examples should be “weighty” enough that they will be taken seriously by your reader; otherwise, they may be perceived as silly in an essay that is supposed to be discussing serious philosophical concerns.
Hypothetical evidence is often ineffective. Readers are generally not persuaded by something that has not actually happened.

6. Time for some practice
Using these steps as a guide, work with a partner or two to plan how you would attack the certainty and doubt prompt.
Unpack the prompt: Read the prompt carefully multiple times and have a conversation with your group to get clear about what it is asking you to do.
Develop your position: Come to a consensus as a group about what your position will be. You don’t actually have to agree with your group’s position, but just play along for the sake of practice.
Plan your attack: Identify examples you plan to use in your essay to support your decision; talk through the examples and discuss (1) how you will EXPLAIN their connections and (2) how you plan to order them in your essay.