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Argumentative essays are among the most effective methods of juxtaposing two opposing viewpoints and arguing in favor of one. This method of essay writing emphasizes a methodical approach and relies on several different perspectives in support of the author’s position. When fleshing out an argumentative essay, writers can also use pointed facts, research, and other supportive information to develop their arguments and better present their findings. Authors also dismantle opposing viewpoints by outlining their deficiencies such as logical fallacies, factual inconsistencies, and disadvantages. Given these factors, writing argumentative essays requires lucid reasoning and reliable evidence to strike a chord with the reader.
Argumentative essays are some of the most popular, enabling the writer to put forth their opinions concisely and persuasively. Following a clear format and supporting it with a factual approach will allow the writer to put together a well-rounded argument for their essay. We provide a detailed introduction to writing argumentative essays by discussing the format, its basic structure, and a set of argumentative essay topics to help students write better.
Table of Contents
What is an Argumentative Essay?
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Argumentative essays often involve the writer formulating an argument in favor of or against a particular issue. Most commonly seen in school and college writing assignments, these essays bring out the student’s ability to study a topic in-depth and construct a position using unbiased analysis, fact-based research, and seamless presentation of data. While using and presenting evidence for one’s own position, argumentative essays also require the writer to elucidate facts and figures that detract from the opposing view, making the author’s case stronger. They require seamless writing, in addition to coherent structure and presentation. These types of essays also involve a certain degree of persuasion wherever necessary to ensure the reader can accept the case the author is building.
To put together a strong case, writers must often collate data and facts from multiple different sources to improve credibility. Along with this, citations and references are also important elements that bolster the position outlined in the essay. That apart, a thesis statement is among the most integral components of an argumentative essay since it allows the reader to glean the intent of the material in the initial portions. Structured content and pattern are crucial so that the reader does not find the essay to be chaotic. Transitions, among the other elements, are also just as essential as they smoothly guide the reader from one section of the essay to the other. Argumentative essay topics are often drawn from politics, sociology, history, and science. They also entail controversial issues and debates surrounding income inequality, euthanasia, and the gender pay gap, among others. Alternatively, topics also include rather straightforward dichotomies such as the pros and cons of organic farming.
Types of Argumentative Essay
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Argumentative essays are often based on different types of arguments in writing. Most essays subscribe to either a single type of argument or use a combination of the prevalent types to posit their viewpoints before the reader. Irrespective of the point the essay intends on making, the structures of different types of arguments vary and require a varied approach.
The most prevalent types of arguments in writing are:
1. Classical or Aristotelian Argument
Aristotelian arguments are by far the most common types of arguments in writing. They’re also some of the simplest to emulate in argumentative essays. Developed by the famed Greek philosopher Aristotle, he presented a novel yet straightforward method of presenting positions and detracting from their counterarguments. The Aristotelian argument in essays places primacy on convincing the reader of the primary position and emphasizes persuasion by using several different elements and strategies. Aristotelian arguments use logos (logic), ethos (authenticity), and pathos (emotion), to put forth the position of the writer. Though these elements are prevalent in all forms of argumentation, the Aristotelian strain employs them in essentially persuasive ways. While using an Aristotelian or Classical argument in the essays, writers use the following pattern:
- An introduction to the topic along with details of all the important aspects involved
- The core of the argumentative essay’s topic and the favorable argument
- An outline of the opposing argument and its flaws
- Description and analysis of proofs & evidence in favor of the writer’s argument or those against the opposing argument
- A clear conclusion that restates the argument and summarizes its key points
2. Toulmin Argument
Toulmin arguments are ideal for essays that deal with topics with no absolute truths to present. This form of argument is great when you’re writing about a topic that requires the presentation of several complex situations and facts to the reader. Needless to say, Toulmin arguments are ideal for content that deals with controversial dichotomies and needs a structured approach to persuade the reader. This method was originally developed as a practice for evaluating the quality of arguments by British philosopher Stephen Toulmin. However, its efficiency in understanding content has found more prevalence in constructing arguments based on the very same tenets. Most academicians and even students prefer pursuing the Toulmin approach to present complex arguments coherently. Toulmin arguments have 6 main components:
- Claim: All arguments begin with a claim that states the author’s position on the topic.
- Grounds: The grounds are the part of the argument that presents the case for the author’s position. They contain evidence, facts, and logic in support of the claims made by the author.
- Warrant: Merely stating the facts in support of the argument’s claim isn’t going to be enough when dealing with drawn-out argumentative essays. While linking the grounds for argument with claims made in the essay, a warrant is required to explain why the stated evidence is in support of the essay’s position. A warrant can be both explicit and implicit. In the latter case, students will have to be sure that the readers are already familiar with their position and are accepting of it. If not, explicit warrants are often a better way of putting forth a point.
- Backing: Backing is an important part of the Toulmin argument, presenting questions related to the author’s claim. Students can address these questions effectively in this portion, providing additional credibility to their claims.
- Qualifier: Qualifiers limit the claim to specific situations and put forth an understanding that the author’s claim is not true in all situations. Words such as “some,” “most,” or even “majority” act as qualifiers that allow the author to prevent making sweeping claims that are interpreted by the reader to be applicable in all situations, lowering credibility. Sweeping or universal claims are also much more difficult to support using evidence.
- Rebuttal: Authors address counterarguments using rebuttals. Potential opposition can be addressed preemptively in the argumentative essay, adding more credence to the author’s standpoint.
3. Rogerian Argument
Rogerian arguments are those that bring together opposing viewpoints and try to achieve a middle ground by acknowledging both perspectives. Unlike a traditional duality-based approach, the Rogerian brand of argument tries to persuade the reader to negotiate their views and reach the perfect balance between opposing sides. Rogerian arguments are persuasive and are primarily used to make the reader amenable to the views presented in the essay despite their opposing leanings. Not only does this allow the writer to find a middle path between two potentially opposing standpoints, but also helps them understand the biases of both sides. A Rogerian argument comprise the following:
- An introduction to the topic and the opposing perspectives involved
- Description and acknowledgment of the other position using credible sources and with a sound understanding of the counterview
- A detailed exposition of the essay’s primary argument while not dismissing the counterview
- A juxtaposition of both viewpoints to elicit the benefits of both sides and to bring balance to the reader’s opinion
How to Write an Argumentative Essay
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Argumentative essays require in-depth research and are quite demanding of fact-based information. That apart, the text has to be clearly written with the topic, the writer’s perspective, and the purpose of the argument spelled out for the reader. The essay must follow an established thesis and use reasoning to build a relationship between the assertion and evidence.
An argumentative essay’s structure is composed of the following elements.
1. A Concise First Paragraph with a Thesis Statement
Knowing how to start an argumentative essay is crucial to building clarity early in the writing process. Stating the thesis statement in the initial paragraph allows the reader to know the purpose of the argumentative essay and explains the position on the essay’s topic succinctly. Writers should also explain why the topic is relevant to their coursework or what purpose the essay serves. In case the essay is based on a set of guidelines, the writer should adhere to the statements contained within and ensure the opening paragraph is in line with them. Good openings are often useful in setting the tone for the essay, striking a chord with the reader in the first paragraph will help the content find more acceptance as the essay progresses.
2. Detailed Body Paragraphs
While body paragraphs must contain a detailed exposition of the writer’s position, it’s always ideal to limit the discussion to only one aspect in each paragraph to avoid making the content chaotic. Alongside providing a wealth of evidence to support the thesis statement, it’s equally important to link the evidence to the thesis statement. Though the evidence might be overtly supportive of the position concerning the topic, explaining the link between the evidence and the position displays a lucid understanding of the topic and the data used to bolster the argument.
Apart from evidence suited to the essay’s position, it’s also beneficial to present data and facts that might be linked to a different point of view. Covering various perspectives shows that the essay carries no biases and that the author is willing to examine the topic from a neutral standpoint. Furthermore, it also exhibits the author’s erudition of the subject and enables them to establish uniformity in the essay. Apart from alternative perspectives, conflicting viewpoints must also be addressed and disproved using sound logic. Instead of merely rejecting the opposition through unidimensional approaches, outlining the lack of information in it might add value to the argumentative essay. Denoting logical fallacies and a lack of clarity in the counterargument also brings balance.
3. Various Types of Data and Evidence
All argumentative essays require dedicated research to collate and present evidence. Whether the writer uses factual or anecdotal evidence, all of it must be sufficiently relevant to the thesis statement. Apart from supportive proofs for the argument, it’s just as important to cite data that opposes the counterargument. To promote holistic perspectives, citing evidence that isn’t in support of the essay’s approach to the topic is also encouraged. Not only is this ethical, but it also helps students acknowledge opposing information and prevents generalizations and sweeping conclusions.
4. An Illuminating Conclusion
A good conclusion goes beyond a mere restatement of the thesis. Though the essay’s thesis can be reiterated, the conclusion must collect all the salient points and present them as a clear summary of the argument. This allows the reader to recapitulate the core of the topic and the argument stated within the essay. Avoid bringing up new concepts or perspectives in the conclusion and instead find novel ways to make a statement about what encompasses the existing material. Suggesting additional research wherever relevant would also add academic value to the conclusion of the essay while promoting further reading.
50 Intuitive Argumentative Essay Topics for Your Next Assignment
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An argumentative essay helps students embody a sound understanding of a topic. Further, it also promotes extensive research and compilation to result in coherent analysis. Here is a list of 50 argumentative essay topics to choose from:
