Important Elements in Writing Argument Essays
Understanding the important elements in argument essays can enable you to construct arguments that are more logical and ultimately write more persuasively. Learning to write effective arguments can also help you think more clearly about complex issues that at some point demand a reasoned opinion based on logical, empirical, or mixed evidence. According to the Purdue Online Writing Lab, important elements in all argument essays include strong evidence gained through research, a clear thesis, strong organization and logical transitions.
Extensive research about a topic is an essential part of writing most argument essays. Essential for the majority of effective arguments, you can find evidence most readily through Internet content, essays and scientific studies. For example, if you wish to argue about capital punishment, it might be helpful to search a legal database to find how often the United States or the whole world uses capital punishment. Research can also generate insights that would not have otherwise occurred, especially when you disagree with the author of an article and build a counterargument.
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Probably the most important element of any argument essay besides research is the thesis statement. The thesis statement summarizes, usually in one sentence at the end of the introductory paragraph, the essence of your argument. A thesis statement should be clear and direct, arguing for a specific action or point of view and presenting clear reasons to support that argument: "The high school should purchase calculators because they are necessary tools in advanced mathematics." Though composing a tentative thesis can help you focus research and writing efforts, a thesis statement should most often be written after extensive research so that your argument can be proven through your collected evidence.
Organization
Argument essays should contain an introduction with a thesis statement, body paragraphs and a conclusion. Introductions should put the argument in context. For example, if you are arguing that taxes should be higher to support universal health care, an introduction that discusses the effects of current tax rates on health care could be effective. Subsequent body paragraphs should provide evidence to support your thesis, usually with one significant piece of evidence presented per paragraph. Conclusions should reexamine your thesis through the evidence that you provided.
Transitions
According to the Writing Center at the University of North Carolina, transitions hold argument essays together. Effective transitions connect ideas and evidence without simply stating the contents of each paragraph. For example, if the first paragraph in your health care essay presents the number of uninsured patients, and the second paragraph discusses the excess costs generated by uninsured patients, a strong transition can show their relationship and help construct the overall argument: "The number of uninsured patients can create a financial burden more severe than a modest tax increase."
- Purdue Online Writing Lab: Argumentative Essays
- The Writing Center: Argument
Writing in the Lehigh Valley, Jordan Weagly has been a professional writer since 2007. His work has appeared in “Travel Host” and “The Keystone.” Weagly has more than four years of experience as an English tutor and holds a MA in English as well as a BA in professional writing from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.
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Argumentative Essays
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What is an argumentative essay?
The argumentative essay is a genre of writing that requires the student to investigate a topic; collect, generate, and evaluate evidence; and establish a position on the topic in a concise manner.
Please note : Some confusion may occur between the argumentative essay and the expository essay. These two genres are similar, but the argumentative essay differs from the expository essay in the amount of pre-writing (invention) and research involved. The argumentative essay is commonly assigned as a capstone or final project in first year writing or advanced composition courses and involves lengthy, detailed research. Expository essays involve less research and are shorter in length. Expository essays are often used for in-class writing exercises or tests, such as the GED or GRE.
Argumentative essay assignments generally call for extensive research of literature or previously published material. Argumentative assignments may also require empirical research where the student collects data through interviews, surveys, observations, or experiments. Detailed research allows the student to learn about the topic and to understand different points of view regarding the topic so that she/he may choose a position and support it with the evidence collected during research. Regardless of the amount or type of research involved, argumentative essays must establish a clear thesis and follow sound reasoning.
The structure of the argumentative essay is held together by the following.
- A clear, concise, and defined thesis statement that occurs in the first paragraph of the essay.
In the first paragraph of an argument essay, students should set the context by reviewing the topic in a general way. Next the author should explain why the topic is important ( exigence ) or why readers should care about the issue. Lastly, students should present the thesis statement. It is essential that this thesis statement be appropriately narrowed to follow the guidelines set forth in the assignment. If the student does not master this portion of the essay, it will be quite difficult to compose an effective or persuasive essay.
- Clear and logical transitions between the introduction, body, and conclusion.
Transitions are the mortar that holds the foundation of the essay together. Without logical progression of thought, the reader is unable to follow the essay’s argument, and the structure will collapse. Transitions should wrap up the idea from the previous section and introduce the idea that is to follow in the next section.
- Body paragraphs that include evidential support.
Each paragraph should be limited to the discussion of one general idea. This will allow for clarity and direction throughout the essay. In addition, such conciseness creates an ease of readability for one’s audience. It is important to note that each paragraph in the body of the essay must have some logical connection to the thesis statement in the opening paragraph. Some paragraphs will directly support the thesis statement with evidence collected during research. It is also important to explain how and why the evidence supports the thesis ( warrant ).
However, argumentative essays should also consider and explain differing points of view regarding the topic. Depending on the length of the assignment, students should dedicate one or two paragraphs of an argumentative essay to discussing conflicting opinions on the topic. Rather than explaining how these differing opinions are wrong outright, students should note how opinions that do not align with their thesis might not be well informed or how they might be out of date.
- Evidential support (whether factual, logical, statistical, or anecdotal).
The argumentative essay requires well-researched, accurate, detailed, and current information to support the thesis statement and consider other points of view. Some factual, logical, statistical, or anecdotal evidence should support the thesis. However, students must consider multiple points of view when collecting evidence. As noted in the paragraph above, a successful and well-rounded argumentative essay will also discuss opinions not aligning with the thesis. It is unethical to exclude evidence that may not support the thesis. It is not the student’s job to point out how other positions are wrong outright, but rather to explain how other positions may not be well informed or up to date on the topic.
- A conclusion that does not simply restate the thesis, but readdresses it in light of the evidence provided.
It is at this point of the essay that students may begin to struggle. This is the portion of the essay that will leave the most immediate impression on the mind of the reader. Therefore, it must be effective and logical. Do not introduce any new information into the conclusion; rather, synthesize the information presented in the body of the essay. Restate why the topic is important, review the main points, and review your thesis. You may also want to include a short discussion of more research that should be completed in light of your work.
A complete argument
Perhaps it is helpful to think of an essay in terms of a conversation or debate with a classmate. If I were to discuss the cause of World War II and its current effect on those who lived through the tumultuous time, there would be a beginning, middle, and end to the conversation. In fact, if I were to end the argument in the middle of my second point, questions would arise concerning the current effects on those who lived through the conflict. Therefore, the argumentative essay must be complete, and logically so, leaving no doubt as to its intent or argument.
The five-paragraph essay
A common method for writing an argumentative essay is the five-paragraph approach. This is, however, by no means the only formula for writing such essays. If it sounds straightforward, that is because it is; in fact, the method consists of (a) an introductory paragraph (b) three evidentiary body paragraphs that may include discussion of opposing views and (c) a conclusion.
Longer argumentative essays
Complex issues and detailed research call for complex and detailed essays. Argumentative essays discussing a number of research sources or empirical research will most certainly be longer than five paragraphs. Authors may have to discuss the context surrounding the topic, sources of information and their credibility, as well as a number of different opinions on the issue before concluding the essay. Many of these factors will be determined by the assignment.
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