How to Write an Effective Argumentative Essay Tutorial
Creator of Tutorial: Zale101

Question

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The main goal of an argumentative essay is to be able to take a stand on an issue and argue in support or against it. Whether you're with abortion or against abortion, with death penalty or against death penalty, choose your position on the argument and prepare yourself to a write a well-rounded argumentative paper for your readers. Your essay will be aiming to provide a convincing argument for your audience.
           Before starting your argumentative essay, make sure you do further research on the topic you choose, so that the information you gather is rendered from facts and accurate information instead of just opinions. While skimming through pages, jot down any interesting quotes you find. Just remember to site the information and the quotes you gather from any source you use to avoid plagiarism. 
           The format of an argumentative essay is just like any ordinary essay with a slightly different structure. If you can follow the rules clearly, you'll be able to write an effective argumentative essay. The format of an argumentative essay includes an introduction, body paragraphs, a counter argument, and a conclusion.

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$\large\bf INTRODUCTION$

The $\bf introduction$ is the starting paragraph that states the main purpose and the main claim that you'll argue throughout the essay. It usually starts with a $\color{green}{hook}$, which is a sentence or a phrase that draws the reader into the essay. There are different ways to start an argument essay, which some helpful ideas include: Background information of your chosen topic, any interesting relevant quote you find, or an interesting historical information about your topic. However, make sure that your intro explores the main purpose of your argumentative essay, or otherwise, you'll be jumping from idea to idea, which will confuse your readers.

The $\bf thesis~statement$ is one of the major elements in an essay that students seem to have difficulties with, but don't fret. If you follow the essential guidelines of a thesis statement, you'll be able understand its utility and simple structure in writing. However, the thesis usually comes at the end of the intro and it explicitly states the main claim or points of your argumentative essay. The thesis must have opposing point of views, a claim that people have different point of views on, because you'll be aiming to persuade not inform your readers. The thesis statement must be narrowed and specific.
 
$\sf Example$: You are writing an argumentative essay about the legalization of marijuana, and decide to do a research on marijuana's negative impact on society.

$\color{red}{Defective~Thesis}$: the legalization of Marijuana should be carefully considered, as it has harmful effects on health.   
$\color{blue}{Perfect~Thesis}$: Marijuana should not be legalized because it can act as a stepping-stone to other hard drugs.

The perfect thesis I stated above is brief and debatable, as some people may not agree that marijuana acts as a gateway to hard drugs.  I also stated my main claim and position in the argument. I'd advice my fellow writers to start developing the thesis statement before starting their essay so that they know what they are arguing about. In addition, the thesis statement is the key to develop the following body paragraphs of your argumentative essay.

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$\large\bf BODY~PARAGRAPHS$
$\bf Body~paragraphs$ represent your points and supporting evidence of your main claim. It contains a topic sentence, which usually comes at the first sentence of the paragraph. The first body paragraph represents your first point and supporting evidence of your main claim. The second body paragraph represents your second point, and supporting evidence of your main claim.

This is the part when the information you gathered from articles, magazines, and other resources comes into use. You'll provide facts, any statistical data if shown, and interesting quotes or statements you find from the resources you browsed in your essay to convince your readers. If you're body paragraph merely contains your opinions on the issue, it'll not be informative and persuasive, which is the main goal of an argumentative essay.

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$\large\bf{COUNTER~~ARGUMENT}$

In every issue, there are always opposing-point of views.  For example, in my topic, you can see that I'm against the legalization of Marijuana. Some people might have a different point of view, and it would be fair to include their view in your essay.

The counter argument expresses the view of the people who are against your position in the argument. Don't just state their position on the issue directly in one sentence. The counter argument should not maintain any bias, but stated fairly and objectively.

$\color{red}{Defective~Counter~argument}$: Some people contend that Marijuana's use leads to the use of other hard drugs, which is just an implausible assumption with no evidences. Not only that, but they ineffectively contend that...
$\color{blue}{Perfect~Counter~argument}$: Some people argue that the legalization of Marijuana leads to the use of other hard drugs. They think that once the user have tried an illegal drug, they'll be temped to try other illegal drugs...

For those who think the counter argument weakens your argument are wrong. In fact, it makes it stronger and plausible by drawing a sense of equality from your argument. Just take heed that the audience who'll be reading your argument essay will not be on the same position as you.

$\sf Responding ~to~ the~ counter-argument$
You can after stating their opposing view, rebut the counterargument. Your response to their notion can be in the same paragraph or can be put in the following paragraph. Your response acts as a criticism to their faulty view.  Readers with opposing point of views might as well be interested in reading your essay, and they'll probably be persuaded when you respond to their objections.

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$\large\bf CONCLUSION$

Then finally comes the conclusion, the final paragraph of the essay. The conclusion summarizes your main claim, main purpose, and your final words, all in one neatly structured farewell paragraph. Note that you don't have to summarize every single paragraph. Remind the readers of your position on the argument, and why you strongly support it.

$\bf Summary$:
An argument essay's main goal is to take a position on an argument and argue in support or against it in an aim to convince the targeted audience that your position is plausible.  An Argument essay follows an outline structure that is slightly different from the primary structure of an ordinary essay. It includes an introduction, body paragraphs, counter argument, and a conclusion. The introduction is the intro that includes the main purpose and the thesis statement, which states your main claim, in the essay. The follow body paragraphs provide evidences and facts that support your claim.  The counter argument states the opposing view of your thesis or main claim. It should contain no bias and be fairly and objectively written. And finally, the conclusion restates your main claim, and summarizes your main purpose. Remember that it is essential to site a source you gathered information and quotes form or otherwise, you'll be condemned of plagiarism.

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Here are some good samples of an argumentative essay. While reading, try to recognize the Intro, thesis, body paragraphs, counter argument, and the conclusion. http://www.mesacc.edu/~paoih30491/ArgumentSampleEssays.html

Elsa213 · Answer

Hawt.

Ashely · Answer

thanks