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What Is an Argumentative Essay? Simple Examples To Guide You

Spencer holds a bachelor’s of literature and a bachelor’s of environmental studies from the University of California Santa Cruz. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.

what is an argumentative writing

Your introductory paragraph is the first thing the readers will set their eyes on. However, you should put it on the back burner and come back to it after you’re done writing the rest. You may consider including some surprising information or a funny story in the introduction to grab the readers’ attention.

Tips for Writing a Good Argumentative Essay

If Brookdale residents want to lengthen their life expectancy, they should exercise more, and get a better education. According to research, 21% of Brookdale residents has a degree in higher education, compared with 34% of Woodby residents. The difference is not that large, but the higher educational level of Woodby residents very likely influences the life expectancy. Based on the materials, it seems that the longevity of Woodby residents has to do with healthy exercise and the level of education. Therefore, I recommend the Brookdale residents to focus on their exercise in accordance with instructions by the personal trainer Maria. In addition, the educational level of Brookdale residents should be raised. — In summary, it could be said that the level of education, sleep, exercise, and nutrition are keys to a long life.

what is an argumentative writing

Argumentative essays are quite common in academic writing and are often an important part of writing in all disciplines. And, since argument is such a common essay assignment, it’s important to be aware of some basic elements of a good argumentative essay. When writing an argumentative essay, students must be able to separate emotion based arguments from logic based arguments in order to appeal to an academic audience. The third body paragraph includes the counterargument and rebuttal.

Argumentative Essay Infographic

I’m an ESL teacher with over 7 years of experience in providing original content. I really like writing educational articles which may help others learn some aspects of English. Drafting—write the first draft of your augmentative essay, including all the facts and direct quotes you have found. In this type of argument, you argue that something has caused something else. For example, you might explore the causes of the decline of large mammals in the world’s ocean and make a case for your cause. Electric cars are better for the environment and they cost less to fuel. When it is time to purchase a car, an electric vehicle is clearly the better choice.

  • In each paragraph, she’ll want to focus on one reason or counter, and include evidence to support it.
  • However, the key is to invalidate or disapprove of the opposing theories so that the reader thinks your thesis is the most logical and accurate.
  • Sub-Saharan Africa simply can’t rely on a plan that requires more money, infrastructure, and expertise than they have to spare.
  • Whatever confusion they had at the beginning of the written work should now be clearer in light of the author’s careful study and explanation.

When you’re writing an argumentative essay, it’s important to remember that an academic argument is quite different from a regular, emotional argument. Note that sometimes students forget the academic aspect of an argumentative essay and write essays that are much too emotional for an academic audience. It’s important for you to choose a topic you feel passionately about (if you’re allowed to pick your topic), but you have to be sure you aren’t too emotionally attached to a topic. In an academic argument, you’ll have a lot more constraints you have to consider, and you’ll focus much more on logic and reasoning than emotions. Co-operation between faculty teachers and writing teachers could be beneficial in integrating learning of argumentation with discipline-specific studies.

ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAYS

While the first author performed the analyses in phases three and five, all authors discussed and evaluated findings and considered challenging features throughout the process. Additionally, in phase four, the independent analysis by the second author and discussions that followed ensured that all authors interpreted the analysis criteria similarly. When most people think of arguments, they picture two people fighting over different viewpoints. Therefore, many of us feel as if the argumentation process is meant to cause conflict rather than resolve it. However, arguments were invented to persuade others to alter or compromise their position on a certain topic.

Is to see them as “because phrases.” In order to validate your reasons and make your argument successful, support your reasons with ample evidence. Brainstorm, research, talk, and think about your topic before settling on a thesis. If you are having trouble formulating a thesis, begin freewriting about your topic. Don’t forget to outline your essay before you start to write, this way you are able to structure your work and make sure that all the important points are included. Firstly, you should avoid snide or derogatory comments, because that would automatically make your classmate distrust your motives. Additionally, you should make a strong statement and take time to study the other side before adding your own opinions. Argumentative writing is very commonly assigned as capstone work in doctorate research programs.

Critical reading

Consequently, the ability to use generic features of argumentation is eminently important for novice students who are new to higher education. They are not yet integrated in their study program or academic writing community (Swales, 1990; Donald, 2002).

what is an argumentative writing

After you’ve written it, it’s a great idea to show your thesis to a couple different people–classmates are great for this. Just by reading your thesis they should be able to understand what point you’ll be trying to make with the rest of your essay. The introduction of the essay does a good job of laying out the seriousness of the problem, but the conclusion is short and abrupt. Expanding it into its own paragraph would give the author a final way to convince readers of her side of the argument. This essay begins with an introduction, which ends with the thesis (that malaria eradication plans in Sub-Saharan Africa should focus on prevention rather than treatment). The first part of the essay lays out why the counter argument is not as effective, and the second part of the essay focuses on why prevention of malaria is the better path to take.

TIPS FOR WRITING A GREAT ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

In its strongest form, a rebuttal, an explicit position is taken against some evidence. Even acknowledgment of alternative positions is difficult for many, not to mention rebutting them . This tendency has been called my-side bias, indicating an inability to see other alternatives . However, these challenges may not be about an inclination to emphasize one’s own opinion but instead they reflect the writer’s incorrect perception of an argument (Wolfe and Britt, 2008; Wingate, 2012). Writers may see a good argument as a one-sided construction, and so they bring out all the supporting evidence, and leave out any contesting facts.

  • In the introduction, which is the first paragraph of the essay, Myrtle will want to explain the issue and state her position.
  • Hedges are modal expressions that the writer uses to define either their uncertainty about the statement, or the degree of probability, namely how likely they think the statement to be true.
  • For example, you might write a narrative about your negative experiences with standardized testing in order to make a case for reform.

It is considered bad form for an argumentative essay to exclude evidence that doesn’t back up the author’s thesis. Rather, the author must step to the plate and explain why he or she considers that evidence to be ill-informed or out of date.

Top Persuasive Writing Lesson Plans for Students and Teachers

Or, in your literature class, you might be asked to argue the effects of protest literature on public policy in the United States. You may have heard it said that all writing is an argument of some kind. Even if you’re writing an informative essay, you still have the job of trying to convince your audience that the information is important.

  • In other words, owning an electric vehicle allows people to save the money they would normally spend on gas.
  • Be careful not to give too much weight to these opposing views since the objective is to show that you have looked at both sides and believe your argument is correct and the counterargument is not.
  • The strength of your evidence, and your use of it, can make or break your argument.
  • While the general track introduces all subjects to all students, different emphases are allowed, such as mathematics, natural sciences, or languages.
  • The author usually sets up their thesis statement by explaining the context and reviewing the topic in a general way.

However, it is possible to interpret that the writer agrees with the facts in the first-person sentences. For students, the discussion often bridges the gap between the speaking and listening learning areas and reading and writing ones. It is for this reason that we will look at some oral discussion activities before examining how to approach the writing of discussion pieces in the classroom. These oral activities can serve as excellent pre-writing exercises for the students to prepare their thoughts and ideas before writing. They also work well as standalone oral activities that allow students to practice their persuasive speaking skills and all that entails.

Education

Imagine that she has an article about how kids with later curfews spend more time at the library, but it was written by someone who, like Myrtle, is trying to convince his parents to what is an argumentative writing let him stay out later. In this case, the article might not be completely accurate and true. Writers must conduct research in order to have something to say about a topic or subject.

A 2020 Consumer Reports study found that electric vehicle owners spent 60% less for fuel than gas-powered vehicle owners . In other words, owning an electric vehicle allows people to save the money they would normally spend on gas. This is an open-access article distributed what is a bridge in an introduction paragraph under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License . No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. — Basing on the information presented above, I recommend Brookdale residents more exercise and going back to school.