what should you avoid in writing an argumentative essay

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5 Must Read Argumentative Essay Dos and Don’ts

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by  Antony W

September 13, 2022

Looking for a guide on argumentative essay dos and don'ts? You've come to the right page.

It’s one thing to know which arguments to present to persuade readers to support your stance, even if they don’t agree with you.

But even a strong point of view won’t be convincing if you don’t structure your arguments in a way that demonstrates solid reasoning backed with convincing evidence.

That’s why, in addition to understanding and strictly adhering to the format of an argumentative essay , you also have to know the dos and don’ts of the assignment to get it right.

Your goal is to persuade your audience to agree with you, so you don’t want to leave them an open opportunity to oppose the ideas you present about the topic and write you off completely.

Key Takeaways

The following is a summary of argumentative essay dos and don’ts that you should keep in mind when working on your essay:

• Read the assignment’s brief before you start writing.
• Do use proper citation when writing the essay.
• Avoid phrases such as “I think” or “I believe” because they only serve to weaken your argument.
• Don’t use signpost in your essay to give directional sign as doing so is irrelevant and only serves to waste space and time in your argument.
• Do not repeat the thesis statement in the conclusion of the argument.
• Do use our  argumentative essay writing service   if you don’t have the time to write the essay yourself and you need help to get it done.

What's the Goal of This Guide? 

Our goal in this guide is to share with you all the argumentative essay dos and don’ts to help you write an A-grade essay.

Whether your instructor has asked you to argue on a topic related to health care, science, politics, or technology, these dos and don’ts are worth reading and implementing.

By learning and putting these guidelines into consideration as you write your argumentative essay , you’ll easily avoid the common academic writing pitfalls that make it difficult for students to score top marks for their essays.

Argumentative Essay Dos and Don’ts

The following are some of the dos and don’ts that can help you write a more comprehensive argumentative essay on any topic:

1. Do Pay Close Attention to Citation

One of the most important things to observe as you write your argumentative essay is citation.

Your instructor will ask you to use either the MLA or APA format to work on your essay. So it’s important to know how to cite your essay in these formats.

If this is your first time working on an argumentative essay, we highly recommend that you check out our guide in citing sources .

It includes everything you need to learn about work cited, in-text citation, and reference pages.

Citation rules are important, and it’s mandatory that you know all of them.

At the end of the day, your instructor expects to see that you’ve taken citation seriously, or they can deny you important marks for failing to follow the rules.

Some ideas in your argumentative essay will not be your own. Should that be the case, you’ll need to make sure you attribute all their sources before you submit the paper.

It’s fine to paraphrase the work of another author in your essay. However, don’t forget to give that author the credit for his work so you can at least avoid plagiarism .

2. Do Read the Assignment’s Guidelines before You Start

Many students fail their argumentative essays because they didn’t take the time to read the assignment guidelines before writing.

So even if the essay reads well and it’s convincing because it includes all the objective and substantial evidence to support your position, failing to write according to the brief can cost you important marks.

Remember, every school assignment comes with a set of instructions that you need to read and follow to a tee, and an argumentative essay isn’t an exception.

For example, if your teacher asks you to include eight sources in the paper and you only write three or four, you’ll earn fewer marks for failing to meet the minimum requirements.

Spend a few minutes of your time to read the assignment brief. Write down a summary of the brief for clarity, and don’t hesitate to consult your instructor if you’re in doubt. 

3. Don’t Use Phrases Such as “I believe” or “I think”

When someone reads your argumentative essay, they should clearly see from the beginning that you’ve take your time to research the topic before choosing your position and developing your argument.

That way, you won’t have to use phrases that clearly indicate that your statements are weak and difficult to agree with.

To be very precise, we stress that you refrain from using phrases such as “I think” or “I believe” because they can easily weaken your argument.

The last thing you want to do is make your argument sound like an apology for your point of view, which shouldn’t be the case in the first place.

Instead of writing a statement like “ I think college should allow all students to access internet”, simply state that “college should allow all students to access the internet. Such a statement is precise and less empathetic.

4. Don’t Signpost in Your Argumentative Essay

Signposting may be a great writing technique, but it doesn’t have a place in argumentative essay writing.

If you think about it, academic readers are not interested in directional signs in a piece of writing, so don’t waste their time by repeating what you said or telling them what you wish to say next.

You need to go straight to the point and present the most important details. So instead of signposting, just say what you have to say. 

5. Don’t Repeat the Thesis Statement in the Conclusion

Writing a conclusion for your argument can be twice as challenging as writing the introduction.

At the very least, many students make the mistake of repeating the thesis statement exactly as it is just to end the essay abruptly. However, that’s the wrong approach.

You need to take the conclusion of the essay seriously and make sure to write it well.

The last paragraph of the essay is your opportunity to tie everything together in a way that shows you’ve demonstrated your research, supported your claims, and done your best to support your position.

Also, never introduce a new idea when concluding your argument . If you have an idea to add to the essay, and you strongly believe that it can support your argument, go right ahead and include it in the body section instead.

Writing an argumentative essay doesn’t have to seem like a rocket science engage.

Really all there is to it is to know what you should do and what you shouldn’t. The writing process should come easy after that.

About the author 

Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.

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5 Things to Avoid When Writing an Argumentative Essay

By Gaston La-Gaffe • 11 November 2021 Share —      

Academic paper writing is one of the most daunting tasks students face throughout their tenure at educational institutions. One of the reasons why it happens is that many still view writing as something that requires an inborn talent. 

But in reality, anyone can craft a decent (if not excellent) academic paper without being a natural-born writer. The problem is, not everyone has enough time, motivation, and perseverance to learn how to do it. 

Whatever your circumstances are, you might find yourself wondering: “Can someone write an essay for me ?” at a certain point. The answer is yes – student help services can easily handle it. But developing your own writing skills should still be a priority. 

If you agree but don’t know where to start, keep reading this article. Here, we’re going to explain one of the most difficult paper types, an argumentative essay, and address the things to avoid when writing it.

What Is an Argumentative Essay? 

Before we proceed with the list of the things to avoid when writing an argumentative paper, let’s make sure you know what exactly an argumentative paper is. So let’s start at the beginning. 

The Definition 

An argumentative essay is typically defined as a genre of writing aimed at proving a certain stance. To achieve this goal, the writer should bring up sufficient arguments supported by evidence and arrive at a certain conclusion. 

The 4 Types 

It’s also necessary to mention that there are several types of argumentative papers. These are:

• persuasive essays;
• research papers;
• analysis essays; 
• personal essays. 

The latter type also includes various kinds of speeches, so if you’re not good at writing academic papers, you’re likely to have problems with speeches, too. Luckily, you can always get help from professional writers at EssayService by simply placing an order online. It can be a life-saver when the deadline is near, but you need to practice your own writing anyway.  

Since practicing is a lot easier when you have certain guidelines, here is an essential list of things to avoid when writing an argumentative paper of any type. 

What to Avoid When Writing an Argumentative Essay

From skipping the outlines to clumsy conclusions, here are the five things you should avoid at all costs. 

Skipping the Outline 

Some students fail to acknowledge the importance of outlining and, therefore, tend to skip this crucial stage of the writing process. This is a grave mistake, especially when you’re writing something as complex as an argumentative essay. 

Although it may seem that skipping the outline saves time, the effect is, in reality, quite the opposite. The less structure you have, the more you struggle, and the longer it takes you to produce a coherent text (if you manage to do it at all).  

Not Enough Research 

Another wrong way to save time is to do it at the expense of the research process. All argumentative essays call for extensive research, and not having enough evidence to support your claim can make your paper fall short of the required standards. 

The right way to save time at this stage is to make notes and to adjust the quotations to the paragraphs in your outline. This will ensure you won’t need to rummage through the same sources all over again when you start writing.  

Vague Thesis Statement 

A clear thesis statement is essential for an argumentative essay as it contains the stance you’re going to prove throughout your text. If your thesis statement is vague or ambiguous, you’ll be having a hard time proving it, and the readers will struggle to understand what you mean. 

If you’re not sure whether your stance is clear, you can do the following: 

• ask someone to read it and express their thoughts;
• write the body paragraphs first, and then formulate the thesis statement;
• use an online thesis statement generator. 

Whatever you choose, remember to read the final draft carefully to make sure your thesis statement works. 

Not Supporting Your Arguments 

Essentially, argumentative papers are about arguments, and these should normally be supported by sufficient evidence from reliable sources. However, some students forget about the latter part, which results in their arguments being unconvincing. 

Another common mistake is failing to address the counterarguments. In an argumentative essay, scrutinizing the issue from all angles is a must, so including the counterarguments is essential for this paper type.  

Clumsy Conclusion 

A conclusion is typically a reiteration of the initial statement presented in the introduction, so it’s vital that the two statements align. But sometimes, you can get lost in your arguments and arrive at a conclusion that differs from your thesis statement. 

In such cases, you’ll need to revise the arguments or alter your initial statement. One more thing to remember is that you shouldn’t introduce any new ideas in the final section of the paper.    

Wrapping Up 

These were the things to avoid when writing an argumentative essay (and any academic paper, for that matter). The list could go on, though, as there are many other common mistakes. However, eliminating the five listed above will already be a good start on your way to better academic writing – and better grades!

Gaston La-Gaffe

Gaston is a Belgian writer born in 1975. He writes on various subjects, Health, Fashion, Technology, CBD and Art for various publications including Spirou. He is based in Brussels.

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Argumentative Essay: Meat and Potatoes

Table of Contents

Are you going to start writing an argumentative essay? Well, you may have a fair idea of writing it, but learning some more could prove only helpful for you in writing a compelling argumentative essay. Understanding basic academic writing standards can help you avoid the many potential pitfalls. These are mostly hidden when you are constructing this kind of essay.

Thus, as an assignment help online provider, we will try to teach you the Do’s and Don’ts of argumentative essay writing. Well! this can also be stated as the “Meat and Potatoes” of the essay. So, read on!

Meaning of Argumentative Essay

Before we get started on the list of things to avoid when writing an argumentative essay. Let’s make sure you understand what one is. So let’s get started with understanding it from the base.

• An argumentative essay is a type of writing that aims to persuade the reader of a particular point of view.
• To accomplish this, the writer must present sufficient evidence-based arguments.
• And, reach a specific conclusion.

Types of Argumentative Essay

It’s also worth noting that there are several kinds of argumentative papers.

These are the following:

• Analysis Essays
• Personal Essays
• Persuasive Essays
• Research Papers

The latter category also covers many types of speeches. So if you have trouble producing academic papers, you’ll probably struggle with speeches as well. Fortunately, you can always turn to essay writing experts for assistance. When the deadline is approaching, it can be a lifesaver.

Do’s of Argumentative Essay Writing

Follow University Guidelines

• Students have been observed to compose good essays regularly.
• However, they detract from its quality by failing to follow the university’s recommendations.
• For example, instead of including five references. As required by the university, you just provide one or two in the work.
• As a result, when writing an essay, make sure to follow the requirements.

Give Importance to Referencing Style

• References are required for your argumentative essay.
• Because they assist you in showing the legitimacy of your work.
• As a result, you should include references in the assignment while maintaining the appropriate style.

Make Your Essay Well-Organized

• Another thing you should do when writing an essay is to structure it properly.
• You should compose the assignment in such a way that the content flows smoothly.
• And make sure you avoid the repetitions.

Acknowledge the Thrust of Your Essay

• Arguments aren’t all made equal.
• An argument, according to Andrea Lunsford, John Ruszkiewicz, and Keith Walters in their book “Everything’s an Argument” .
• It can be subtle or aggressively confrontational.
• What do you hope to achieve with your persuasive writing?
• If you’re attempting to persuade someone to donate to your holiday charity drive.
• Make sure the tone of your argument corresponds to the argument’s purpose.

Proof-Read Your Essay

• While spell-check is useful, it does not assist in the detection of word usage problems.
• These are one of the most common errors in academic papers.
• It’s also difficult to locate everything in a single read.
• Do a final edit for punctuation and grammar.
• Only after you’ve read your essay at least once to check for the fulfilment of the requirements.
• Even better, read it back to slow down your reading.
• And, make it simpler to spot mistakes.

Don’t Make False Facts in Argumentative Essay

• With educated readers, made-up facts and overblown comments will not score points.
• People want only genuine material that has been thoroughly researched.
• And, correctly referenced to give your writing a sense of trustworthiness.
• If some of your data is incorrect, do not attempt to correct it.
• Instead, you can use logical reasoning to save your essay.
• Also, qualifying terms like “too many” should be avoided in statements like this.
• Instead, support your statement with a numerical figure.

Refer To: Argumentative Essay Topics: The Current Drift!

Don’ts of Argumentative Essay Writing

Don’t use phrases to preface a statement.

• If a person begins a sentence with terms like “I think” or “I believe”.
• You can quickly deduce that he or she is unsure about what they are saying.
• As a result, if you utilise such terms in your assignment., you are doing the same thing.
• And your thesis statement may fail to pique the readers’ interest.

Signposting is Not a Good Idea

• For speech classes, signposting could be a nice concept.
• Where you tell the audience what you just said and what you’re going to say next.
• However, it is not appropriate for producing an argumentative essay.
• As a result, you should avoid signposting.
• And, instead, express what you want to communicate in a section.

Avoid Abruptive Essay Conclusion

• The section of your essay conclusion, that the readers read the most, is your essay conclusion.
• It is the portion in which you summarise your task.
• Use a great Conclusion Starter to avoid clumsy ones.
• And, attempt to persuade the readers to agree with your viewpoint.
• As a result, instead of making it abrupt, you must make it compelling and obvious.

Never Skip the Outline

• Some students underestimate the value of outlining.
• And, as a result, neglect this critical stage of the writing process.
• This is a terrible mistake to make, especially when writing a difficult article like an argumentative essay.
• Although bypassing the outline may appear to save time.
• It has the opposite effect.
• The less structure you have, the more difficult it is to write a cohesive document.
• And the longer it takes if you manage to do it at all.

When writing an argumentative essay, stay away from these blunders. And any academic paper, for that matter. However, other typical blunders might be added to the list. Removing the don’t items described above will put you on the road to improved academic writing. And adding the do’s can make you get better marks!

The multiple writing assignments that a university student must complete are enough to drive anyone insane. A university-level essay’s tight criteria add extra levels of difficulty to academic writing. Professors with a strong discipline insist students strictly follow the conventions of academic writing. Your academic life would be too stressful. Using the services of a professional essay writer to deal with your writing challenges is your best choice for avoiding worries.

You can opt for our critical essay writing help if you have some problem in attempting an argumentative essay. Writing a well-written argumentative essay has the effect of elevating your status in the eyes of your lecturer. You can use specific strategies and techniques to help you become a skilled essay writer who understands how to make a lasting impression on the reader’s mind. Continue reading to learn the dos and don’ts of creating an excellent argumentative essay.

Frequently Asked Questions

School Drillers

Things to avoid when writing an argumentative essay.

Things to avoid when writing an argumentative essay > When writing academic papers, students confront one of the most difficult challenges. As a result, many people still believe that writing is a skill that must be developed via practice.

To write an argumentative essay, a student must explore a topic; gather and assess information; provide a perspective on the topic, and do it briefly.

The argumentative essay and the explanatory essay may be confused at times. The argumentative essay varies from the explanatory essay in the amount of pre-writing (invention) and research that it requires. A student who seeks academic help can buy argumentative essay help online to boost their results.

 It is typical to give an argumentative essay as a capstone or final assignment in first-year writing or specialized writing classes and requires extensive, meticulous research. 

Having a basic understanding of academic writing rules can help you avoid many problems lurking while writing argumentative essays. The following are things to avoid when writing an argumentative essay  and things to stay away from while crafting an effective argumentative essay.

1. DON’T start a remark with statements such as, you believe, or think. 

These terms merely help to undermine the statement. My apologies for your point of view. ” I believe” or, “I think” anything unless you are quoting or paraphrasing. ” Education is the answer to countless problems,” rather than “I believe that education is the key to many problems,” is the correct revision. The second statement is more assertive and powerful.

2. Avoid writing an essay with no evidence to back up.

In your line of work, an argument based only on emotions is unlikely to succeed. Regardless of what your field considers legitimate proof, there is no escaping it: You need evidence. Certain people can utilize their own life experiences as proof; these people tend to be high-ranking professionals or those with a unique perspective. However, these persons are usually well-established in their respective fields of expertise. Make use of evidence when you establish yourself.

3. Do not have an unclear or weak thesis statement.

An argumentative essay must have a clear thesis statement since it outlines the position you want to take throughout your writing. Having an unclear or ambiguous thesis statement will make it difficult for you to prove it and make it difficult for your readers to comprehend what you mean. A decent essay requires a compelling thesis statement. It’s the line on which the remainder of your paper will dangle. It needs to express a viewpoint and be as detailed as possible. 

4. Don’t Steal or plagiarize.

Plagiarism is defined as stealing somebody else’s work or ideas and posing as if they are your own; it is a serious violation. Academic institutions have rigorous plagiarism regulations and employ a variety of plagiarism-checking techniques to ensure that your work is original. When you commit a crime, you won’t be able to walk away unscathed. So don’t try to trick your professors by claiming that something sounds like it was written by you when it was written by someone else.

Ensure you’re not rewriting a full article or a piece of an article as you own. Instead of putting together your ideas and analyses, you’re simply rephrasing someone else’s thoughts in a different sequence. To be considered an expert in your field, you’ll need to conduct extensive research to back up the claims you make in your essay.

5. Do not conclude abruptly or without thought. 

There must be an exact match between the two assertions in order for a conclusion to be effective. However, it is possible to become bogged down in your arguments and reach a conclusion that is at odds with your premise.

It’s not unusual for students to write in their papers, “Ends abruptly.” Students often focus on gathering information and citing sources for their research papers that they neglect the critical role that a well-written conclusion plays.

Your initial statement or arguments may need to be rewritten in these situations. Another thing to remember is that the final portion of your paper should not contain any fresh ideas.

6. DON’T skimp on proofreading and editing.

One of the most prevalent mistakes in academic papers is word misuse, which may be spotted using a spell-checker. To spot all errors in one read-through is also tough. For punctuation errors and grammar, conduct a second read-through of your essay after checking for excellent paragraph organization, concentration, and flow. To facilitate the process, slow down your reading. This makes it simpler to spot mistakes.

Avoid using contractions, or if you must, use them correctly. You’re the same as you are. There is they are. Your Subjects and verbs should be in agreement. Be on the lookout for ambiguous or illogical statements (A sentence is correct if there’s a subject and a verb).

When writing an essay, always use the third-person pronoun (he/she/it/they). Avoid referring to yourself or others in the first or second person when writing an essay. 

7. Avoid mistakes in Citation.

Many scholars have never completed a research paper and don’t know anything about the MLA or APA style standards for in-text citations, references, or lists of sources. Many teachers who assign essays require students to follow the principles and will deduct a considerable number of points if they don’t.

Unless your professor expressly asks for a different format for your bibliography, you should use the MLA style for academic writings. Check out this webpage for a comprehensive list of MLA citation guidelines. Be careful with your bibliography. Writing a unique analysis of your issue should be the most difficult element of your essay. The bibliography follows a formula and is simple to complete correctly.

An argumentative essay should avoid all the above-mentioned, but most importantly, the thoughts and ideas should flow coherently and logically. Carry out the necessary research and give credit to all your sources. 

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How to write an argumentative essay

The argumentative essay is a staple in university courses, and writing this style of essay is a key skill for students across multiple disciplines. Here’s what you need to know to write an effective and compelling argumentative essay.

What is an argumentative essay?

An argumentative essay takes a stance on an issue and presents an argument to defend that stance with the intent of persuading the reader to agree. It generally requires extensive research into a topic so that you have a deep grasp of its subtleties and nuances, are able to take a position on the issue, and can make a detailed and logical case for one side or the other.

It’s not enough to merely have an opinion on an issue—you have to present points to justify your opinion, often using data and other supporting evidence.

When you are assigned an argumentative essay, you will typically be asked to take a position, usually in response to a question, and mount an argument for it. The question can be two-sided or open-ended, as in the examples provided below.

Examples of argumentative essay prompts:

Two-sided Question

Should completing a certain number of volunteer hours be a requirement to graduate from high school? Support your argument with evidence.

Open-ended Question

What is the most significant impact that social media has had on this generation of young people?

Once again, it’s important to remember that you’re not just conveying facts or information in an argumentative essay. In the course of researching your topic, you should develop a stance on the issue. Your essay will then express that stance and attempt to persuade the reader of its legitimacy and correctness through discussion, assessment, and evaluation.

The main types of argumentative essays

Although you are advancing a particular viewpoint, your argumentative essay must flow from a position of objectivity. Your argument should evolve thoughtfully and rationally from evidence and logic rather than emotion.

There are two main models that provide a good starting point for crafting your essay: the Toulmin model and the Rogerian model.

The Toulmin Model

This model is commonly used in academic essays. It mounts an argument through the following four steps:

• Make a claim.
• Present the evidence, or grounds, for the claim.
• Explain how the grounds support the claim.
• Address potential objections to the claim, demonstrating that you’ve given thought to the opposing side and identified its limitations and deficiencies.

As an example of how to put the Toulmin model into practice, here’s how you might structure an argument about the impact of devoting public funding to building low-income housing.

• Make your claim that low-income housing effectively solves several social issues that drain a city’s resources, providing a significant return on investment.
• Cite data that shows how an increase in low-income housing is related to a reduction in crime rates, homelessness, etc.
• Explain how this data proves the beneficial impact of funding low-income housing.
• Preemptively counter objections to your claim and use data to demonstrate whether these objections are valid or not.

The Rogerian Model

This model is also frequently used within academia, and it also builds an argument using four steps, although in a slightly different fashion:

• Acknowledge the merits of the opposing position and what might compel people to agree with it.
• Draw attention to the problems with this position.
• Lay out your own position and identify how it resolves those problems.
• Proffer some middle ground between the two viewpoints and make the case that proponents of the opposing position might benefit from adopting at least some elements of your view.

The persuasiveness of this model owes to the fact that it offers a balanced view of the issue and attempts to find a compromise. For this reason, it works especially well for topics that are polarizing and where it’s important to demonstrate that you’re arguing in good faith.

To illustrate, here’s how you could argue that smartphones should be permitted in classrooms.

• Concede that smartphones can be a distraction for students.
• Argue that what teachers view as disruptions are actually opportunities for learning.
• Offer the view that smartphones, and students’ interest in them, can be harnessed as teaching tools.
• Suggest teaching activities that involve smartphones as a potential resource for teachers who are not convinced of their value.

It’s not essential to adhere strictly to one model or the other—you can borrow elements from both models to structure your essay. However, no matter which model of argumentation you choose, your essay will need to have an outline that effectively presents and develops your position.

How to outline and write an argumentative essay

A clear and straightforward structure works best for argumentative essays since you want to make it easy for your reader to understand your position and follow your arguments. The traditional essay outline comprises an introductory paragraph that announces your thesis statement, body paragraphs that unfold your argument point by point, and a concluding paragraph that summarizes your thesis and supporting points.

Introductory paragraph

This paragraph provides an overview of your topic and any background information that your readers will need in order to understand the context and your position. It generally concludes with an explicit statement of your position on the topic, which is known as your thesis statement.

Over the last decade, smartphones have transformed nearly every aspect of our lives, socially, culturally, and personally. They are now incorporated into almost every facet of daily life, and this includes making their way into classrooms. There are many educators who view smartphones with suspicion and see them as a threat to the sanctity of the classroom. Although there are reasons to regard smartphones with caution, there are ways to use them responsibly to teach and educate the next generation of young minds. Indeed, the value they hold as teaching tools is nearly unlimited: as a way to teach digital literacy, to reach students through a medium that is familiar and fun for them, and to provide a nimble and adaptable learning environment.

Body paragraphs

Most argumentative essays have at least three body paragraphs that lay out the supporting points in favor of your argument. Each paragraph should open with a topic sentence that presents a separate point that is then fleshed out and backed up by research, facts, figures, data, and other evidence. Remember that your aim in writing an argumentative essay is to convince or persuade your reader, and your body paragraphs are where you present your most compelling pieces of information in order to do just that.

The body of your essay is also where you should address any opposing arguments and make your case against them, either disproving them or stating the reasons why you disagree. Responding to potential rebuttals strengthens your argument and builds your credibility with your readers.

A frequent objection that teachers have to smartphones in the classroom is that students use them to socialize when they should be learning. This view overlooks the fact that students are using smartphones to connect with each other and this is a valuable skill that should be encouraged, not discouraged, in the classroom. A 2014 study demonstrated the benefits of providing students with individual smartphones. Sanctioned smartphone use in the classroom proved to be of particular importance in improving educational outcomes for low-income and at-risk students. What’s more, learning apps have been developed specifically to take advantage of the potential of smartphones to reach learners of various levels and backgrounds, and many offer the ability to customize the method and delivery of lessons to individual learner preferences. This shows that the untapped potential of smartphones is huge, and many teachers would do well to consider incorporating them into their classrooms.

Your concluding paragraph wraps up your essay by restating your thesis and recapping the arguments you presented in your body paragraphs. No new information should be introduced in your conclusion, however, you may consider shifting the lens of your argument to make a comment on how this issue affects the world at large or you personally, always keeping in mind that objectivity and relevance are your guiding principles.

Smartphones have a growing place in the world of education, and despite the presence of legitimate concerns about their use, their value as teaching tools has been clearly established. With more and more of our lives going digital and with the growing emphasis on offering distance learning as an option, educators with an eye to the future won't wait to embrace smartphones and find ways to use them to their fullest effect. As much time and space as we could devote to weighing the pros and cons of smartphones, the fact is that they are not going to disappear from our lives, and our best bet is to develop their, and our students', potential.

Frequently Asked Questions about argumentative essays

Your argumentative essay starts with an introductory paragraph. This paragraph provides an overview of your topic and any background information that your readers will need in order to understand the context and your position.

Like any traditional essay, the argumentative essay consists of three parts:

• Introduction

There are do's and don'ts in argumentative writing. This article summarizes some of them well - you should, for example, avoid coming to an argument based on feelings, without any evidence. Everything you say needs to be backed up by evidence, unless you are the renowned expert in the field.

Yes, you can start your argumentative essay with a question or with a thesis statement. Or you can do both - ask a question and then immediately answer it with a statement.

There are contrasting views on that. In some situations it can make sense to end your argumentative essay with a question - for example, when you want to create room for further discussions or want the reader to leave thinking about the question.

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