1. Writing the Argument Essay
English 1302

2. Requirements of the genre
Investigate, collect, generate, and evaluate evidence, and establish a position on the topic in a concise manner.
Argumentative essays are different from expository essays in the amount of pre-writing and research involved.
Essays must establish a clear, concise, and defined thesis statement in the first paragraph.

3. What happens in the 1st paragraph?
Set the context by reviewing the topic in a general way.
Explain why the topic is important (exigence) or why readers should care about the issue.
Present the thesis statement
If the student does not master this portion of the essay, it will be quite difficult to compose an effective or persuasive essay.

4. Use Transitions!
Clear and logical transitions between the introduction, body, and conclusion are infinitely important to the overall essay.
They are the mortar that holds the foundation of the essay together.
Without logical progression of thought, the reader is unable to follow the argument and the essay will collapse.

5. What’s in a body paragraph?
These paragraphs must include evidential support.
Each paragraph (you choose the number) should be limited to the discussion of a general idea—this provides clarity and direction.
Each paragraph must have some logical connection to the thesis.
Paragraphs should use examples from the research collected.
They should also explain the varying points of view. Rather than explaining how a view point is wrong outright, students should avoid opinions that do not align with their thesis, are not well-informed, OR are perhaps out of date.

6. Evidential Support—What’s that?
Factual, logical, statistical
Well-researched, accurate, detailed, current information that supports the point of view of the paper
Keep in mind that it is unethical to exclude view points that do not agree with the thesis….including the counterargument is a very powerful tool of argument.

7. Types of support Citing authorities Using personal experience/anecdote
Using statistics
Using facts
Using analogies
Anticipating the opposition
BRING YOUR MATERIALS WITH YOU.

8. Where do I end?
The conclusion does not merely restate the thesis, but it does readdress it in light of the evidence provided.
This part of the essay leaves the most immediate impression on the reader’s mind. Therefore, it must be logical and effective.
NEVER introduce new information in the conclusion, but rather synthesize the information presented in the body of the essay. Restate why the topic is important, review main points, and review thesis (this does not mean simply restate them).