Writing the Argumentative
Essay
CHOOSING A TOPIC
To begin an argumentative essay, you must
first have an opinion you want others to
share.
RESEARCH
To be valid, an opinion or point of view must be
supported by facts and information.
Once you know what you will
write about, you will need to do
research on the topic.
Research through interviewing people, or
reading newspaper, book, journal or Internet
articles.
CLAIM STATEMENT
The claim statement
 states your position on the topic
 sets up the structure for the paper.
SUPPORT THE CLAIM
Support your claim with REASONS for it.
 Write down each of the 3 main
REASONS that support your
CLAIM on your
notes/graphic organizer).
 These are your ARGUMENTS.
COUNTERARGUMENTS
 Every controversial issue has two
sides.
 Once you can support your
position with research, you need
to explore what others think.
PREPARING YOUR
ARGUMENTS
 Look at the three main reasons for
your opinion.
 What objections would others have to
each of your reasons?
 Write these down under each of your
reasons. Now you have three arguments
and three counter-arguments.
ANSWERING COUNTERARGUMENTS
Write your answers down under the
counter-arguments.
Now you have the raw material for each
paragraph of the argumentative essay.
THE AUDIENCE
When introducing the topic, think about the
audience first.
 How much does the audience know about the
topic?
 Is the audience likely to be friendly
or hostile to your position?
 How can you “hook” the audience’s
attention?
INTRODUCTION
PARGRAPH
 The first sentence is a general statement,
designed to attract the reader’s attention.
 Second and perhaps third sentences
narrow the idea down to your specific idea.
 The last sentence in the introduction
must state your CLAIM.
INTRODUCTION
Think of the introduction as having a funnel
shape:
General statement (hook)
Specific information
Claim
Example of Intro
Paragraph
More people die driving on Greek
roads in a single year than all the U.S.
soldiers killed in Iraq since the fighting
began. The road conditions and the
mentality that leads to this
unnecessary and avoidable loss of life
should be changed.
Fact to support position
and a good hook.
The authors position or
Thesis Statement.
BUILDING BODY
PARAGRAPHS
The first topic sentence of the
first paragraph will be the first
reason that supports your
position.
You may even wish to begin the sentence with
the word first to focus the reader’s attention on
its importance.
BODY PARAGRAPHS
In each body paragraph,
provide a reason for your
argument along with two or
three detail sentences that
support/elaborate your
ideas.
Counter-claims
and Rebuttals
Research what people who oppose your
point of view believe. Write down these
possible counter-claims/arguments.
Next, address those counter-claims in a
paragraph explaining and offer a rebuttal
stating why your position is a better one.
BUILDING
PARAGRAPHS
 The final sentence in each paragraph
should summarize the ideas expressed
and/or make a transition to
the main idea of the next paragraph.
Concluding Paragraph
• Indicate in the conclusion that you have
shown the claim statement to be true.
• Summarize your main points. How can
your create a powerful ending to your
argument?
• Add a “call to action” statement
(BUT, do not include any new
information in a conclusion paragraph;
if you have not mentioned something
yet in the paper, it is now too late!)
What is not effective
Saying the opposing viewpoint
is “stupid.”
Good essays are clear, calm and factual.
Prove it instead with your evidence!
Saying negative things about
groups or individuals that have
different view points.
This does not support your position but
makes you seem petty instead.
How many is that?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Intro Paragraph
Body Paragraph 1
Body Paragraph 2
Body Paragraph 3
(writer’s choice!)
1. Counter-claim/Rebuttal
Paragraph – other viewpoints
2. Conclusion Paragraph
Reflecting on Your
Paper
 Are you happy with what you have written?
 Have you made a convincing case for
your position?
 Is it clear that research supports your
position?
 Have you shown that you understand the
objections to your position?
Reflecting on Your
Paper
 Have you made a strong case for your
argument?
Have you shown that you understand the
objections to your position?
 Is it clear that your position is stronger
and outweighs possible objections?
Did you call on your reader to take
an action to show support?