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")