tips writing an argumentative essay

How To Write Argumentative Essays

Essay Writing Lower Secondary

In an argumentative essay, you take a clear stand on a topic and defend it throughout your essay. As your school teachers would have reminded you umpteenth times, you must support this stand with well-reasoned arguments.

Each argument must be backed by sound evidence and is best structured using the PEEL template—Point, Elaboration, Evidence, Link—for clarity and a strong persuasive impact.

But that is not all! A mature response also examines opposing viewpoints. By addressing and rebutting these counter-arguments, you demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the subject and reinforce your own position. You should structure your essay in a manner that will best strengthen your stand.

In this article, we delve into:

What makes argumentative writing challenging
How to identify an argumentative topic
Argumentative and discursive—the difference
Argumentative essay formats or structures
The brainstorming process
Crafting compelling introductions
Writing effective body paragraphs and rebuttals
Concluding your essay with impact
Preparing for argumentative essay topics

This article provides you with practical strategies to enhance your argumentative essay writing skills. So, continue reading as we explore these critical elements!

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1. What Makes Argumentative Writing Challenging?

The key challenge lies in striking the right balance between being persuasive and remaining objective. Even as you try to convince your readers, it’s crucial to keep an objective tone. You must think critically, convince readers without bias, and argue persuasively.

Let’s not sugarcoat it—argumentative writing isn’t for weaker writers.

Here’s what to consider before tackling an argumentative essay in an exam:

Do you understand every aspect of the question?
Can you develop two to three strong, evidence-supported arguments?
Are you familiar with the opposing viewpoints?
Do you have a well-thought-out rebuttal to these opposing viewpoints?
And finally, are you able to plan and execute all this in under 55 minutes?

If you’ve checked off these points and feel confident, you’re ready to dive into argumentative writing with both feet. Let’s get you prepped!

2. How do I Identify an Argumentative Topic?

The first step is recognising when you’re dealing with an argumentative topic. Let’s examine some examples from past papers to clarify this crucial step:

“Schools should teach practical skills such as cooking and managing our finances.” Do you agree? Why or why not? (2023, O-Level)
“All you need to succeed in life is a positive attitude.” How far would you agree? (2023, O-Level)
“Young people spend so much time thinking about the future that they forget to enjoy the present.” How far do you agree? (2022, O-Level)
“People today are far too easily persuaded to spend money on things they don’t need.” Do you agree that advertising has made us wasteful? (2022, O-Level)
“A happy person is a healthy person.” How far would you agree? (2021, O-Level)

Evidently, the phrase “Do you agree?” is a clear marker of an argumentative prompt. However, not all argumentative questions will have this signpost. For instance:

Do electronic devices, such as tablets or smart phones, help or hinder students in their studies? (2015, O-Level)
Parents often believe that it is better to be safe than sorry. Do you consider young people to be too protected? (2013, O-Level)

3. Argumentative and Discursive—What’s the Difference?

In our previous blog article ” How to Write a Discursive Essay for O-Levels “, we established that the term “Expository” is an umbrella term—discursive writing and argumentative writing both fall under the genre of expository writing.

In other words, argumentative writing and discursive writing are different kinds of expository essays with different characteristics.

Argumentative : you are required to pick a stand. Your purpose is to persuade and convince the reader to agree with your stand. Do not sit on the fence!

Discursive : you are not required to pick a position, as most discursive essay topics ask “What is your opinion?” or “What are your views?”. Nevertheless, you’re still required to present a balanced discussion by addressing the issue from different perspectives.

4. What is the Best Format for an Argumentative Essay?

There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to writing, but adopting a structured approach can be very useful especially when you’re grappling with time constraints. Here is a useful template you can adopt. You won’t go wrong using the following format or structure:

5. How do I Brainstorm Content for an Argumentative Essay?

Need a brainstorming framework? Try thinking in these terms:

Multi-Domain :

Examine your topic through various lenses to capture a wide spectrum of ideas. Consider how it impacts domains such as social, technological, educational, environmental, ethical, and political.

Multi-Scale :

Consider multiple scales—think of individual, national and international levels. And don’t just stop there! You can also consider how an issue might be relevant to the individual in physical, mental, and emotional aspects.

Now that the brainstorming is done, let’s start working on the writing.

6. Writing the Introduction for an Argumentative Essay

An effective introduction begins with a hook, and there are several different ways you can hook your reader. You can start with a thought-provoking question, a famous quote, an interesting fact, or simply a general observation regarding the issue. It could be an observation about societal attitudes regarding the issue!

Then from the general, funnel down to the specific: address both sides of the essay question at hand. And don’t forget to include your thesis statement in the last line of your introduction!

You can ask yourself these questions to help craft your intro:

Are there any keywords I need to define?
Has this issue been a hot topic recently?
Why am I picking this stand?
Why do detractors of my stand believe otherwise?
Do I agree with the statement entirely?
If not, to what extent (limited, certain, large) do I agree with it?

Now, you’re on your way to writing a solid introduction. Here’s a sample introduction to the essay we’ve brainstormed earlier:

7. Writing the Body Paragraphs for an Argumentative Essay

Refer to the suggested essay format (point 4) and you’ll see that the argumentative essay should contain three body paragraphs. Let’s focus on the two kinds of paragraphs you’ll need in an argumentative essay:

Supporting reason paragraph
Counter-argument (opposing viewpoint) + Rebuttal paragraph

A supporting reason paragraph can use the same PEEL structure you find in discursive writing. Start by introducing the POINT in your topic sentence (the first sentence of your body paragraph), ELABORATE on the point, then support with EVIDENCE or EXAMPLES , and lastly, LINK back to your topic sentence. You can refer to the explanation in detail here .

So in this article, we’ll address what is perhaps the more challenging paragraph type: the counter-argument + rebuttal paragraph.

Do you struggle with crafting this? If so, don’t fret; you’re not alone. Let us break it down for you.

Firstly, what is a counter-argument?

A counter-argument, to put it simply, is an opposing viewpoint, a point that does not support your stand. It is made by your opponents, people who disagree with your stand. Many students introduce their counter-argument with the phrase “Critics may argue that…” and this phrase has become somewhat of a cliché.

Some teachers may also deem the term “critics” as too generic and vague. So, if you can, name a specific stakeholder that might hold this opposing viewpoint. For instance, you can use “teachers”, “parents”, et cetera to replace the word “critics”.

And what is a rebuttal?

A rebuttal is a point which refutes, challenges, or weakens the counter-argument. It serves to prove that the counter-argument is, in some instances, flawed. You can ask yourself the following question: “under what circumstance is the counter-argument not true?”

Bear in mind! When writing a rebuttal:

Don’t introduce a new, distinct point
Don’t rebut with fallacious claims that cannot be backed up
Don’t rebut points that are clearly valid and logical

In instances where your opponents’ point is valid, do not attempt to refute—this makes you appear illogical! Instead, you can concede that your opponent makes a valid point; then your rebuttal involves attempting to weaken this point in some manner.

Here is an example to illustrate what we mean by this. Let’s assume that our stand is “I can only agree to a limited extent that a happy person is a healthy person.”

To improve the persuasiveness of your rebuttal, you should provide more elaboration for your rebuttal than for the counter-argument and use examples or evidence to strengthen your rebuttal.

A coherent counter-argument + rebuttal paragraph could be structured as such:

Present counter-argument
Elaborate : why detractors say this
Point for my rebuttal
Elaborate : why I say this
Evidence to bolster my Point
Link : reinforce my rebuttal

Argumentative Essay Example:

8. writing the conclusion for an argumentative essay.

Summarising your arguments is not the only way to wrap up your essay! Be creative and experiment with different ways to end with a bang.

For instance, you can demonstrate maturity of thought by providing insight to this issue. Another approach is to come full circle by referencing your introduction. However, it’s crucial to avoid introducing brand new points or simply repeating your opening statements.

Instead, consider revisiting the key themes or ideas introduced in the beginning and showing how they have evolved or been reinforced throughout your essay. Remember our opening question? Consider referencing that in your conclusion:

9. What Argumentative Essay Topics Should I be Prepared for?

While we can’t magically predict the exact questions you’ll face in your exams, we’ve lined up a list of essay topic examples related to commonly-tested themes.

Go ahead and pick any of these essay examples to practice. Ask yourself how you feel about these argumentative essay topics; brainstorm arguments for and against the statements. It doesn’t matter if you’re for or against them; what really counts is how solidly you back up your opinion!

Essay Topics – Youth and Education

Youth today are less resilient than previous generations. Do you agree?
Do you think parents should be allowed to monitor their children’s online activities?
Young people today do not truly care about the environment. How far do you agree?
Schools should focus more on teaching practical life skills than academic subjects. Do you agree?
Online learning can be just as effective as learning in a traditional classroom. Do you agree?
To what extent do you agree that schools adequately prepare students for adulthood?
Creativity cannot be taught. To what extent do you think this is true?
The emphasis on academic excellence undermines the quality of education. Do you agree?

Essay Topics – Media and Technology:

Social media is a waste of time. Do you agree?
Modern technology is leading to social isolation. Do you think this is true?
Technology has made us lazy. To what extent do you agree?
The most powerful element in advertising is truth. How far do you agree?
To what extent do you agree that teenagers are more influenced by the media than by their parents?
The portrayal of addiction in media often does more harm than good. Do you agree?

Essay Topics – Economics and Success:

Everyone can be successful if they work hard enough. Do you agree?
Competition brings out the worst in people. Do you agree?
Is a university degree essential for success in today’s job market?
Is determination more crucial than talent when it comes to being successful?
Creativity is a necessary ingredient of success. How far do you agree?

Essay Topics – Philosophical Issues:

Free speech is always a good thing. How far do you agree?
Do you think money will always bring happiness?
All fear is useless. Do you agree?
Do you think that all criminals deserve a second chance?
Ignorance is a dangerous thing. To what extent do you agree?
People who overcome adversity can only change for the better. Do you agree?

Tackling an argumentative essay topic is no mean feat, and the argumentative writing skills you develop now will serve you well beyond the classroom. The ability to see both sides of an issue not only makes you a better essayist but also a more empathetic and informed person.

We hope this article has provided you with some insight and clarity! Continue to practise, stay curious, and always be ready to explore new perspectives. Good luck!

You might want to download a pdf copy of this article for future reference!

See more related articles and information on Writing Samurai:

9 Tips For English Summary Writing
Benefits of Secondary English Tuition
Model Compositions for Primary School Students
Free Picture Compositions for Writing
A Guide On How to Write Discursive Essays
Past O-Level Essays and Questions

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Suggestions for Developing Argumentative Essays

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1. Select an arguable topic, preferably one which interests, puzzles, or appeals to you.

Make sure your topic is neither too broad--something which warrants a dissertation--nor too limited. Decide what your goals are for the paper. What is your purpose? What opinion, view, or idea do you want to prove? Try to articulate your purpose clearly before you begin writing. If you cannot state your purpose clearly, try to freewrite about your topic.

2. Take a position on your topic, and form a thesis statement.

Your thesis must be arguable; it must assert or deny something about your topic. To be arguable, a thesis must have some probability of being true. It should not, however, be generally accepted as true; it must be a statement with which people may disagree. Keep in mind that a thesis contains both an observation and an opinion:

A good way to test the strength of your thesis is to see if it yields a strong antithesis.

Common thesis pitfalls:

A thesis expressed as a fragment.
A thesis which is too broad.
A thesis worded as a question. (Usually the answer to the question yields the thesis)
A thesis which includes extraneous information.
A thesis which begins with I think or in my opinion.
A thesis which deals with a stale or trite issue.
A thesis which contains words which lead to faulty generalizations (all, none, always, only, everyone, etc.)

Thesis writing tips:

A thesis evolves as you work with your topic. 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. Your freewrite may suggest a workable thesis.
During the writing process, consider your thesis a working thesis and be willing to modify and re-focus it as you draft and revise your paper.
Copy your working thesis on an index card and keep it in front of you as you research and write. Having your thesis in plain view may help focus your writing.

3. Consider your audience.

Plan your paper with a specific audience in mind. Who are your readers? Are they a definable group--disinterested observers, opponents of your point of view, etc.? Perhaps you are writing to your classmates. Ask your professor or GSI who you should consider your target audience. If you are not certain of your audience, direct your argument to a general audience.

4. Present clear and convincing evidence.

Strong essays consist of reasons supported by evidence . Reasons can be thought of as the main points supporting your claim or thesis. Often they are the answers to the question, "Why do you make that claim?" An easy way to think of reasons is to see them as "because phrases." In order to validate your reasons and make your argument successful, support your reasons with ample evidence.

The St. Martin's Guide to Writing (Axelrod & Cooper, 2nd ed., New York: St. Martin's Press, 1988) lists the following forms of evidence:

authorities
textual evidence

For most college papers, you will include evidence you have gathered from various sources and texts. Make sure you document your evidence properly. When using evidence, make sure you (1) introduce it properly, and (2) explain its significance. Do not assume that your evidence will speak for itself--that your readers will glean from your evidence that which you want them to glean. Explain the importance of each piece of evidence-- how it elucidates or supports your point, why it is significant. Build evidence into your text, and use it strategically to prove your points.

In addition to using evidence, thoughtful writers anticipate their readers' counterarguments Counterarguments include objections, alternatives, challenges, or questions to your argument. Imagine readers responding to your argument as it unfolds. How might they react? A savvy writer will anticipate and address counterarguments. A writer can address counterarguments by acknowledging , accommodating , and/or refuting them.

5. Draft your essay.

As is the case with any piece of writing, you should take your argumentative essay through multiple drafts. When writing and revising your drafts, make sure you:

provide ample evidence , presented logically and fairly
deal with the opposing point of view
pay particular attention to the organization of your essay. Make sure its structure suits your topic and audience
address and correct any fallacies of logic
include proper transitions to allow your reader to follow your argument

6. Edit your draft.

After you have written a developed draft, take off your writer's hat and put on your reader's hat. Evaluate your essay carefully and critically. Exchange a draft of your essay with classmates to get their feedback. Carefully revise your draft based on your assessment of it and suggestions from your peers. For self-assessment and peer response to your draft, you may want to use a peer editing sheet. A peer editing sheet will guide you and your peers by asking specific questions about your text (i.e., What is the thesis of this essay? Is it arguable? Does the writer include ample evidence? Is the structure suitable for the topic and the audience?).

You may also want to avail yourself of the Writing Drop-In Tutoring or By-Appointment Tutoring at the Student Learning Center .

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