Tips to write argumentative Essay: Steps

There are five main steps.

Step 1: Read the question

Read the question. Decide what kind of essay it is - opinion, compare/contrast, problem and solution, cause and effect, or a mixture. The type of question will decide the layout and your ideas.

Step 2: Underline

Underline key vocabulary in the question and write words with the same or related meaning. This will really save you a lot of time later on. It will also help to avoid repetition of words, and will show that you understand the question.

Step 3: Get Ideas

Decide if you are for or against the idea. Usually it is best to give both sides (for and against - one paragraph each) and then to give your opinion in the conclusion. However there are other ways of laying out your essay.

Step 4: Decide Layout

You should decide on a layout. The easiest is 3773. That means four paragraphs: introduction (3 sentences) one side (7 sentences), the other side (7 sentences) and the conclusion (3 sentences). This will give you 20 sentences. An average of about 12 words each, that is 240 words. Perfect!

Step 5: Write

After you have written your plan, write your essay. Follow the steps in this blog for writing the introduction, body, and conclusion. Check for fragments, run-ons and comma splices.

Tips to write argumentative Essay: Underline key Vocabulary in the Questions

Step 1: Read and Underline Key Words

Should governments spend money on space exploration, or should they spend the money on problems here first?

Step 2: Write Down Other Words with the Same Meaning

Governments = nations, countries, authorities, politicians Spend = allocate, give, allot, provide, budget, make available, waste, award Space exploration = space program, trips to the moon, the international space station, planets, planetary voyages Money = budgets, taxes, resources, Problems = concerns, issues, worries, disasters, threats, threatening, war, famine, poverty, education, homelessness, drugs, global warming Here = on earth, in our own countries, closer to home, in developing countries, foreign aid,

Step 3: Use Your New Words in the Opening Sentences

With many global concerns such as war, poverty, hunger and pollution, many people do not think that nations should waste money on exploring space. (One side) However, others are convinced that expenditure on space programs is justified. (Other side)

Step 4: Add a Thesis

With many global concerns such as war, poverty, hunger and pollution, many people question whether nations should waste money on exploring space. However, others are convinced that expenditure on space programs is justified. This essay will examine some arguments for and against space exploration. (Thesis)

Tips to write argumentative Essay: Two sides of an argument

Give the other side's opinion, and then give YOUR opinion

Give the other side

• Some people think that…
• Although many people feel that…
• It is claimed that…
• Some people feel that…

One sentence (While, although)

• While it is true that… … I believe…
• Despite the fact that millions of people die every year from lung cancer, many people think it is cool to smoke.
• Although many people think that…., I feel that
• Although it is often said that…, in fact the opposite is true

Two sentences

• It is undoubtedly true that… …However…
• It is often argued that… However, it is
• Some people say that… They claim… However, I feel…
• Supporters of this viewpoint say that… However, it is

One sentence (While, although)

• While it is true that… … I believe…
• Despite the fact that millions of people die every year from lung cancer, many people think it is cool to smoke.
• Although many people think that…., I feel that
• Although it is often said that…, in fact the opposite is true

Tips to write argumentative Essay: Introduction

One easy way to write the introduction for an argument or opinion essay is to write THREE sentences:

• two about the topic
• one thesis sentence

You can write either Situation or Opinion introductions. There's not much difference between them.

• Situation Introductions
• Opinion Introductions
  

Situation Introductions

Write two sentences to describe the two sides of the present situation. The third sentence - the Thesis sentence - will describe what you are going do in your essay.

Sentence 1	One side of the present situation
Sentence 2	The other side of the present situation
Sentence 3	Thesis: What you are going to do in your essay

	Who should take care of our old people?
Sentence 1	In my country, most old people live happily with their children.
Sentence 2	Increasingly however, many families cannot take care of their parents
Sentence 3 (Thesis)	This essay will describe some of the problems involved with taking care of old people, and discuss who should be responsible.

	Does Aid to Poor Countries Work?
Sentence(s) 1	For the last fifty years, poor countries have been receiving huge sums of money from rich donor countries.
Sentence 2	Some of this money has improved lives, while much of it has disappeared or made no difference.
Sentence 3 (Thesis)	In this essay, I will discuss some arguments for and against foreign aid.

	Should dangerous sports be banned?
Sentence 1	Every year, thousands of people are injured or killed in sports such as boxing or motor-racing.
Sentence 2	Because of this, many people are opposed to such sports, and want them to be stopped or controlled.
Sentence 3 (Thesis)	This essay will look at some of the arguments for and against banning dangerous sports.

Opinion Introductions

In this kind you give two opposite opinions in the first two sentences. The third sentence says what you are going to do.

	Does space exploration benefit mankind?
Sentence For	Many people are excited about space exploration.
Sentence Against	However, others feel it is a massive waste of money
Sentence 3 (Thesis)	This essay will look at some of the arguments for and against space exploration.

(32 words)

	Does space exploration benefit mankind?
Sentence For	Space, for many people, really is the final frontier. They are excited by the exploration and potential of space.
Sentence Against	However, not everyone agrees that this money is well-spent. Many people feel that we should solve problems here on earth before beginning our journey to space
Sentence 3 (Thesis)	This essay will look at some of the arguments for and against space exploration.

(58 words)

	Do Athletes Deserve Their High Salaries?
Sentence(s) 1	Everyday, we read about new record contracts and salaries earned by sportsmen and women. Some people do not agree with these huge payments
Sentence 2	Others believe that our sports heroes deserve every penny.
Sentence 3 (Thesis)	This essay will look at some of the arguments for and against the high salaries of athletes.

Finally, if you are having problem thinking about an introduction, leave some space and write it later - AFTER you write the body or conclusion.

Tips to write argumentative Essay: Thesis sentences

A thesis statement is a sentence (or two) that states what you are going to do in your essay. It is a kind of signpost or map that shows the reader what direction you will take. It usually comes at the end of the Introduction.

In this essay, I will outline the arguments for and against sex education in schools.

In this essay, I will examine some reasons for the growth of the tourism industry.

You can leave out "I."

This essay looks at ideas in favour of and against early marriage.

This essay will discuss the benefits of having universal free health care.

Show how many parts your essay will have

Sometimes the reader can tell which paragraphs will follow the thesis statement.

I am going to analyse the effects of drugs on the individual, the family, and society.

In an essay with the thesis statement above, there will clearly be three parts - one on the effects of drugs on the individual, one part with the effects on the family, and another with the effects on society.

Be Strong

Sometimes you don't need a "will" or "going to". Your thesis statement is so strong that it is clear what your opinion is.

Beating children brutalizes parents, damages the parent-child relationship, and is completely unnecessary.

In an essay with the thesis statement above, there will clearly be three parts - one on the effects of corporal punishment on parents, one part with the effects relationship, and another which claims that beating is not needed.

Words to use in the thesis sentence

analyze, look at, examine, discuss, outline, consider, describe

Tips to write argumentative Essay: Conclusion

The conclusion is the end of the essay. It is the last part of the essay and it is the part that the reader may remember most. It should be clear and avoid confusing the reader.

The reader expects the conclusion to do some or all of the following

• rephrase the question
• summarize the main ideas
• give your opinion, if you haven't given it already
• look to the future (say what will happen if the situation continues or changes)

The reader DOES NOT expect new information in the conclusion. Never add a new idea just because you have thought of it at the end!

You must do all of this in just three or four sentences!

Vocabulary is Important

The conclusion is very similar to the introduction. However, you should avoid repeating the same words. This is why a few minutes spent at the start of the exam writing down synonyms (words with the same meaning) and related words is very helpful.

After all, if you only have a 250-word essay but use the same word 10 times, this will not show the examiner what you know

Wrapping Paper

Another way to look at the Introduction and the Conclusion is to think about gift wrapping paper. Your intro and conclusion wrap around your essay like a piece of bright paper "wraps" a present. They are not the main part of the essay, but they do make your essay look good.

Your conclusion 'wraps' up the essay. We don't put something valuable, like money or gold, hidden in the wrapping paper, so don't put new information or important ideas in the conclusion.

Tips to write argumentative Essay: Fragments, Commas Splices, and Run-Ons

Identify and avoid these common errors

Fragments

Fragments are incomplete sentences. They are missing a verb or a subject or both.

• First, the lack of exercise.

• Furthermore, the huge development of the country, easy life and transportation.

• Although the number falling.

• Also the different kinds of entertainment such as videos and television.

• For example, fast food, sweet things and oily food.
  

How can you fix them?

Add a subject, or verb, or both. Try adding a phrase.

• First, the lack of exercise has led to a big increase in the number of overweight people.

• Furthermore, the huge development of the country, an easier life and luxury cars have meant that many people do not have to work hard.

• Although the number is falling, many students still do not finish high school.

• Different kinds media such as video and television can provide good family entertainment.

• For example, fast food, sweet things and oily food can all lead to obesity.
  

Comma Splices

Comma splices are sentences that should be separate, but are joined with a comma

Run-Ons

Run-Ons are sentences that should be separate, but are joined anyway.

• In the past people did not have cars they used to walk. (Run-On)

• Heart disease is a big problem it kills thousands of people (Run-On)

• Our modern life is very easy, jobs are easier than they were 50 years ago. (Comma Splice)

• The streets are full of fast food restaurants, people eat there very often. (Comma Splice)
  

How can you fix them?

Make them into two sentences.

Keep your sentences short.

Watch out if you find yourself using commas. Ask "Would a full stop be better?"

• In the past, people did not have cars. They used to walk.

• Heart disease is a big problem. It kills thousands of people.

• Our modern life is very easy. Jobs are easier than they were 50 years ago.

• The streets are full of fast food restaurants. People eat there very often.

(This last sentence might better be rewritten as "The streets are lined with crowded restaurants" or "People enjoy eating in the busy restaurants")

How To Proofread and Edit Essays by Karen Schweitzer, About.com

Editing is a necessary part of the writing process. When you edit something you have written you inevitably make it better. This is especially true when it comes to writing essays.

Proofreading and editing your essay can seem tedious, but it is actually a simple task if you tackle it in an organized manner. Just remember to take it slow and check for one thing at a time.

Difficulty: Average

Time Required: Editing time will vary depending upon the essay.

Here's How:

1. Chances are you used a word processor to compose your essay. Most word processing programs are equipped with a spellchecker. To begin editing your essay, use the spellchecker option to check for spelling errors. Correct problems as you go.
2. Next, use the grammar checker on your word processing program (if it has one) to check for grammar errors. Most grammar checkers now look for comma usage, run-on sentences, passive sentences, tense problems, and more. Using your judgment and the grammar checker’s suggestions, edit your essay.
3. Now it’s time to begin manually checking your essay. Print a copy. Errors will be easier to catch on paper than on a computer screen. Begin by reading the thesis statement of your essay. Is it clear and easy to understand? Does the content of the essay properly support the statement? If not, consider revising the statement to reflect the content.
4. Make sure that your introduction is concise and adequately developed. It should be more than a statement of your intentions and opinion. The introduction should set the tone of your essay- a tone that continues throughout. The tone should be consistent with the subject matter and the audience that you want to reach.
5. Check the paragraph structure of your essay. Each paragraph should contain pertinent information and be free of empty sentences. Get rid of any sentence that seems slightly irrelevant. Also, check your transition sentences. Your essay will appear choppy is there is not a clear transition from one idea into the next.
6. The conclusion of your essay should reference your thesis statement. It should also be consistent with the structure and/or argument of your essay. Take extra time to polish your conclusion. It will be the last thing the reader sees and the first thing that they remember.
7. Next, read your essay aloud. Pause in your reading as punctuation indicates. This will help you determine how your essay flows and sounds. If you hear something that you don’t like, change it and see if it sounds better.
8. Once the content of your essay has been rewritten, it’s essential that you manually check for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Your word processor will not catch everything. Check carefully for subject/verb agreement, tense sequence, plurals and possessives, fragments, run-ons, and comma usage. Once you have checked all of these things, check again.
9. If possible, have someone else read your essay and offer suggestions for improvement. If you don’t have anyone who can do this for you, do it yourself. Because you’ve spent so much time looking at it by now, set your essay aside for a couple of days before going back to it. This will allow you to critique it with a fresh pair of eyes.
10. Use a word processing program to do one last spell check and grammar check. If time allows, read through it one more time before handing it in.

Tips:

1. When writing your essay, make sure you allow time for edits.
2. Follow the rules of your assignment. If you were given a word count, abide by it.
3. Fact check. Fact check. Fact check.
4. For a more organized essay, create an outline prior to writing. When you edit, refer to your outline to make sure that you covered all of the necessary points.
5. Proofread slowly. It's easy to miss errors when you read too fast.

Seven Tips for Better Writing by Karen Schweitzer, About.com

1. Make sure you fully understand every word used in your essay. A large vocabulary is impressive, but when words are used in the wrong context they have a negative effect on your writing.
   
   
2. Use transitions sentences and transition words (furthermore, like, also, additionally, etc) between paragraphs to tie them together. Transitions will help your writing flow.
   
   
3. Vary your sentence structure. Use simple, complex, and compound sentences to pace your writing and make it more exciting.
   
   
4. Stay away from empty sentences. Every sentence should be well thought out and packed with new information.
   
   
5. Avoid using the same words repeatedly. If necessary, use a thesaurus to find synonyms.
   
   
6. Know the rules of punctuation and grammar. If you are unsure about anything, look it up.
   
   
7. Read your essay aloud and proofread as you write. Listen carefully to how it sounds and correct problems as you go.

How to Write an Argument Essay by Grace Fleming, About.com

Planning Stage

For an argument essay to be effective, it must contain certain elements. For this reason, you must take a few minutes to plan before you jump into writing an argument essay.

Find a Good Topic

To find good topic for an argument essay you should consider several issues that will have two conflicting points of view or very different conclusions. As you look over a list of topics you should find one that really sparks your interest.

While a strong interest in a topic is important, it’s not enough. You next have to consider what position you can back up with reasoning. It’s one thing to have a strong belief, but when shaping an argument you’ll have to explain why your belief is reasonable and logical.

As you explore the topics, make a mental list of points you could use as evidence for or against an issue.

Consider Both Sides of Your Topic and Take a Position

Once you have selected a topic you feel strongly about, you should make a list of points for both sides of the argument. One of your first objectives in your essay will be to present both sides of your issue with an assessment of each. Of course, you will conclude that one side (your side) is the best conclusion.

In the planning stage you will need to consider strong arguments for the “other” side. Then you’ll shoot them down!

Gather Evidence

When we think of arguments we might picture two red-faced people speaking quite loudly and making dramatic gestures. But that’s because face-to-face arguments often become emotional. In fact, the act of arguing involves providing proof to support your claim, with or without emotions.

In an argument essay you will have to provide evidence without providing too much drama. You'll explore two sides of a topic (briefly) and provide proof as to why one side or position is the best one.

Writing Stage

Once you’ve given yourself a solid foundation to work with, you can begin to craft your essay. An argument essay should contain three parts: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. The length of these parts (number of paragraphs) will vary, depending on the length of your essay assignment.

1. Introduce your topic and assert your side

As in any essay, the first paragraph of your argument essay should contain a brief explanation of your topic, some background information, and a thesis statement. In this case, your thesis will be a statement of your position on a particular controversial topic.

Example introductory paragraph with thesis statement:

Since the turn of the new century, a theory has emerged concerning the end of the world, or at least the end of life as we know it. This new theory centers around the year 2012, a date that many claim has mysterious origins in ancient manuscripts from many different cultures. The most noted characteristic of this date is that it appears to mark the end of the Mayan calendar. But there is no evidence to suggest that the Maya saw any great relevance to this date. In fact, none of the claims surrounding a 2012 doomsday event hold up to scientific inquiry. The year 2012 will pass without a major, life-altering catastrophe.

2. Present both sides of the controversy

The body of your essay will contain the meat of your argument. You should go into more detail about the two sides of your controversy and state the strongest points of the counter-side of your issue.

After describing the “other” side, you will present your own viewpoint and then provide evidence to show why your position is the correct one.

Select your strongest evidence and present your points one by one. Use a mix of evidence types, from statistics, to other studies and anecdotal stories. This part of your paper could be any length, from two paragraphs to two hundred pages.

Re-state your position as the most sensible one in your summary paragraphs.

Tips for Your Essay:

• Avoid emotional language
• Know the difference between a logical conclusion and an emotional point of view
• Don’t make up evidence
• Cite your sources
• Make an outline
• Be prepared to defend your side by knowing the strongest arguments for the other side. You might be challenged by the teacher or by another student.