How to Write Argumentative Texts?

How to Write an Argumentative Essay: A Complete Guide

An argumentative essay is a writing piece that presents an argument or argument to persuade the reader about a specific topic. You want to persuade the reader to see things the way you do by this type of reasoning, evidence, and explanation. Principles of Writing Argumentative EssaysResearch, clarity, and structure are some of the principles behind writing a good argumentative essay. In this comprehensive guide, we will explain the major parts of an argumentative essay and provide practical examples and strategies for success.

What Is an Argumentative Essay?

An argumentative essay refers to a formal systematic process of writing that presents an argument. It represents someone with advanced skills in reading because it is based on research and logical evidence and persuades the reader to take a stand. The essay typically includes:

• A clear thesis statement which explains the writer’s argument.
• Evidence in support of the argument and the logical conclusion.
• Counterargument section that discusses counterarguments
• Conclusion: Restating the argument and encouraging action/thought.

In academic settings, such as high schools and universities, argumentative essays are often assigned to develop critical thinking and persuasive writing skills.

Components of an Argumentative Essay

An argumentative essay consists of various elements, which can help you to write one effective argumentative essay.

Thesis Statement

The thesis statement is the main argument or claim that you will make in your essay. It is the premises of your whole argument, so it should be clear, concise, and debatable. It should not say something that is simply a fact but take a position that needs to be supported with evidence.

Example:

• Weak thesis: “Climate change is real.”
• Sturdy claim: “Human activity is the main driver of climate change, and governments must take immediate action to reduce carbon emissions.”

Evidence and Reasoning

If you are going to present an argument in your essay, it has to be evidenced. This can be facts, figures, expert opinions, or real examples. Ensure that your evidence is relevant and credible, and that you use reasoning to explain how your evidence supports your thesis statement.

Example:

• Claim: “Social media use worsens mental health.”
• Further evidence: "Studies show that a constant desire to check social media leads to users experiencing high levels of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. A study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania came to this conclusion."

Counter-argument and Rebuttal

One of the hallmarks of a good argumentative essay is that it recognizes arguments on both sides of an issue. This demonstrates to the reader that you have thought through opposing arguments and that you are balanced concerning the topic. After establishing the counterargument, you need to show why your argument is stronger than theirs.

Example:

• Counterargument: “Use of social media can help with mental health issues — it helps people create support networks.
• Refutation: “Although social media indeed has the potential for connection, research has shown time and again that the drawbacks, such as cyberbullying, addiction, and social comparison, heavily outweigh the benefits for the majority of users."

Conclusion

The conclusion restates your main points and your thesis. You can reiterate your thesis in a manner that highlights the importance of your claim. The conclusion can also recommend what should be done in the context of the issue, or what further work remains to be done.

Example:

“To summarize, the negative implications of social media have been thoroughly documented and it is imperative that we take action in regards to social media, particularly in the youth population.”

How to Write an Argumentative Essay: Structure

In general, an argumentative essay follows a logical framework:

• Introduction
• Introduce the topic.
• Provide background information if needed.
• At the end of the introduction, present your thesis statement.
• Body Paragraphs
• Each paragraph should concentrate on a single point substantiating your argument.
• Provide evidence and logic supporting each argument.
• Think of one of the body paragraphs to refute the counterargument.
• Conclusion
• Restate your thesis.
• Summarize your main points.
• Give a plan for anything to be done next or additional investigation.

Introduction

Your opening paragraph(s) for an argumentative essay should help orient the reader to the subject matter of your argument. You should begin this section with a hook, something that grabs the reader’s attention. It might be a striking fact, a question, or a relevant quote.

Example:

• Hook: “Did you know that every year, about 2.5 million tons of plastic waste wash up in the ocean?”
• Context: “This growing environmental crisis has sparked debates around the world about the need for more sustainable practices.”
• Thesis statement: “Governments and corporations need to do more to reduce plastic waste for the sake of marine ecosystems.”

Body Paragraphs

Every body paragraph should address one point in your argument. Begin with a clear topic sentence that sets up the argument, then make it convincing with evidence. Be accurate and exact and use credible sources to correlate with your statements.

Example:

• Topic Sentence: “The rise in plastic pollution in the oceans stems from the overproduction of single-use plastic products.”
• Data set: “More than 300 million tons of plastic are produced globally every year, and nearly half of them are single-use products like bottles and packaging.” (Greenpeace)

Then you should answer the counterargument. Admit competing views, but show why they aren’t as convincing or relevant.

Example:

• Counterargument: “Others claim that banning plastic products and creating jobs in the plastic manufacturing industry will seriously hurt the economy.”
• Refutation: “Banning plastic will create short-term economic loss but will create new industries and long-term economic improvements if we invest in the right sustainable alternatives.”

Conclusion

In the conclusion, you will reiterate your thesis and outline the key points that you have made. This is your last opportunity to strengthen your case and create a lasting impression on the reader.

Example:

“To sum up, the need to cut down plastic waste is essential to protect marine ecosystems and the lives of our planet and future generations. A cleaner, more sustainable future can be ensured by enforcing stringent rules on plastic production and consumption.”

Guidelines for Writing an Argumentative Essay

Do Thorough Research on Your Topic

So when writing an argumentative essay, it is based on facts and credible sources. Do your homework to make certain that you are advancing the most current and appropriate evidence to back up your claims. Take some notes, keep track of your sources (consider jotting them down), and critically analyse each as to its credibility.

Keep Your Eye on Your Thesis

The thesis statement of your argumentative essay should be supported by every section. Do not get lost in the weeds or veer off into something unrelated. The reader should always be able to see how each point supports the overall argument.

Using Clear and Concise Language

The phrasing of this is very specific. Resist the urge to use elaborate language or highly technical terms unless they are essential to your argument. To make your argument accessible to your audience, clarity is critical.

Avoid Fallacies

The argument essay should be logical and reasoning. Refrain from logical fallacies like ad hominem attacks, straw man arguments, and false dichotomies. They weaken your argument, making it less persuasive.

Revise and Edit

After you write your essay, make sure to revise and edit. Search for where your argument might need to be clearer, where you need to add more evidence, or where you may need to spend more time on a counterargument. It will also help to be conscientious about grammar and spelling; neither distracts from the strength of your argument.

Example of an Argumentative Essay About Online Education

Introduction

The pandemic caused a massive shift in forces towards online education around the globe. That has opened up a debate over whether online learning can at least match the effectiveness of classroom learning. Courses, then, built online programs as far as the eye could reach, without considering how they might fit into existing programs in the traditional classroom; some argue that this move offers a flexible and cost-effective option for education, but others point to its shortcoming of lacking engagement, and it lacks a sense of quality. In this essay, I would like to explain that even though it has a share of advantages, online education would never supersede the learning experience we acquire in our schools, regarding engagement, socialisation and quality.

Body Paragraph 1

A key reason so many pundits criticize online education is for its lack of engagement. In classic classroom environments students can interact with teachers directly, resulting in discussions, queries, and instantaneous feedback. Online education, on the other hand, dismisses its availability and has disengaged students who can never keep their focus.

Body Paragraph 2

And socially, student interaction with their peers is a major part of education. Never leaves the home at all, for years, their only contact with other humans is watching what might as well be a censored prison movie from the 1930s — people, who go to physical schools or universities, meet their peers, live and work in groups, learn basic social skills. Online education, on the other hand, curtail these interactions, meaning students find it harder to establish relationships and work with others.

Alternative View(s) and Response

Supporters of online education say it offers greater flexibility and accessibility, particularly for people who are unable to attend conventional schools for geographic or financial reasons. That being said, many students find it hard to succeed at an online learning space without engagement and social interaction. Additionally, studies have found that students in online courses score lower on assessments compared to their counterparts in traditional classrooms.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while online education offers certain advantages, such as flexibility and accessibility, it cannot match the engagement and quality of traditional classroom learning. For students to receive the best educational experience, a balanced approach that integrates both in-person and online learning methods is essential.

Conclusion

To consider their options, you need to exercise critical thought, articulate logic, and convincing proof to write an argumentative essay. By following the steps in this guide: Conducting thorough research, building a clear thesis, presenting organized arguments, addressing counterarguments, and editing with precision—you’ll be on your way to writing persuasive and high-quality essays. Keep practicing, and with every essay, you will master your argumentative writing.

A argumentative text needs to have an appropriate number of characters to be convincing and capable of engaging the reader or viewer. Therefore, it's important to use tools that allow you to count characters and words so that the limit of your text is not exceeded. On our website, you have access to a free word counter. With it, you can count words, count characters, count blank spaces, and get an estimate of the time needed to write a given text.