Argumentative Essay planning and writing – some simple steps
Brainstorm
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What points/ideas can you think of in response to the question/topic? (respond to each part
of the question initially)
Which points/ideas are weakest? Get rid of them.
Which points/ideas are related/connected to another? Draw lines between connected ideas,
and along those lines, make a brief note of what that connection is.
What trend(/s) or patterns can you see in your points? That is, do more than two of your
dot-points discuss different aspects of the same thing? (for example, you might see a
connection existing between religious fundamentalism and integrated models of religionstate relationship).
Reflect: do your points lead to a general conclusion? Do they seem to show a bigger, more
important, over-arching point? Once you’ve found a pattern, you can form a hypothesis –
your hypothesis should encapsulate the key patterns or trends you’ve identified)
Organise
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Use the final brainstorm step to write your hypothesis; write it in parts, then join those parts
together.
Sort by: Going back and look at the points you decided to keep. Arrange those points in
logical order by numbering them. Start by asking yourself which point has to be mentioned
before the others can make complete sense. This is your first point. Then, ask yourself which
point is the next logical step on from the point previous. Keep going until you’ve numbered
all your points.
OR
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Sort by: Using the key ideas from your hypothesis writing (the ideas that make up your
hypothesis) and make them your key points – plan them in the same sequence they occur in
your hypothesis.
Write those points in proper sentence form; these will become your topic sentences for each
paragraph.
Write out your evidence to support each point (quotes, data etc.) AND your reasoning
(explaining why your interpretations/arguments are reasonable and valid/relevant).
Make a note about each point, briefly explaining how that point relates back to your
hypothesis. You can, but don’t have to, use these as your linking sentences at the end of
each paragraph.
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Write
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Your introduction should introduce the reader to the key points you’ll be making over the
course of the essay.
Finally, a fool-proof way to writing a decent paragraph is to remember this: when you write
a paragraph, you need to P.E.E. – point, explanation/evidence, example.
State your point, as clearly and simply as possible.
Explain your reasoning behind the point you’re making. (keeping in mind that in most
assessment forms, you’ll need to avoid writing in first person)
Give an example to back up your point.
In this type of paper/task, you add an “L” – a link to your hypothesis.
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