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How to Write an Argumentative Essay | Examples & Tips

Published on July 24, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

An argumentative essay expresses an extended argument for a particular thesis statement . The author takes a clearly defined stance on their subject and builds up an evidence-based case for it.

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Table of contents

When do you write an argumentative essay, approaches to argumentative essays, introducing your argument, the body: developing your argument, concluding your argument, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about argumentative essays.

You might be assigned an argumentative essay as a writing exercise in high school or in a composition class. The prompt will often ask you to argue for one of two positions, and may include terms like “argue” or “argument.” It will frequently take the form of a question.

The prompt may also be more open-ended in terms of the possible arguments you could make.

Argumentative writing at college level

At university, the vast majority of essays or papers you write will involve some form of argumentation. For example, both rhetorical analysis and literary analysis essays involve making arguments about texts.

In this context, you won’t necessarily be told to write an argumentative essay—but making an evidence-based argument is an essential goal of most academic writing, and this should be your default approach unless you’re told otherwise.

Examples of argumentative essay prompts

At a university level, all the prompts below imply an argumentative essay as the appropriate response.

Your research should lead you to develop a specific position on the topic. The essay then argues for that position and aims to convince the reader by presenting your evidence, evaluation and analysis.

• Don’t just list all the effects you can think of.
• Do develop a focused argument about the overall effect and why it matters, backed up by evidence from sources.
• Don’t just provide a selection of data on the measures’ effectiveness.
• Do build up your own argument about which kinds of measures have been most or least effective, and why.
• Don’t just analyze a random selection of doppelgänger characters.
• Do form an argument about specific texts, comparing and contrasting how they express their thematic concerns through doppelgänger characters.

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An argumentative essay should be objective in its approach; your arguments should rely on logic and evidence, not on exaggeration or appeals to emotion.

There are many possible approaches to argumentative essays, but there are two common models that can help you start outlining your arguments: The Toulmin model and the Rogerian model.

Toulmin arguments

The Toulmin model consists of four steps, which may be repeated as many times as necessary for the argument:

• Make a claim
• Provide the grounds (evidence) for the claim
• Explain the warrant (how the grounds support the claim)
• Discuss possible rebuttals to the claim, identifying the limits of the argument and showing that you have considered alternative perspectives

The Toulmin model is a common approach in academic essays. You don’t have to use these specific terms (grounds, warrants, rebuttals), but establishing a clear connection between your claims and the evidence supporting them is crucial in an argumentative essay.

Say you’re making an argument about the effectiveness of workplace anti-discrimination measures. You might:

• Claim that unconscious bias training does not have the desired results, and resources would be better spent on other approaches
• Cite data to support your claim
• Explain how the data indicates that the method is ineffective
• Anticipate objections to your claim based on other data, indicating whether these objections are valid, and if not, why not.

Rogerian arguments

The Rogerian model also consists of four steps you might repeat throughout your essay:

• Discuss what the opposing position gets right and why people might hold this position
• Highlight the problems with this position
• Present your own position , showing how it addresses these problems
• Suggest a possible compromise —what elements of your position would proponents of the opposing position benefit from adopting?

This model builds up a clear picture of both sides of an argument and seeks a compromise. It is particularly useful when people tend to disagree strongly on the issue discussed, allowing you to approach opposing arguments in good faith.

Say you want to argue that the internet has had a positive impact on education. You might:

• Acknowledge that students rely too much on websites like Wikipedia
• Argue that teachers view Wikipedia as more unreliable than it really is
• Suggest that Wikipedia’s system of citations can actually teach students about referencing
• Suggest critical engagement with Wikipedia as a possible assignment for teachers who are skeptical of its usefulness.

You don’t necessarily have to pick one of these models—you may even use elements of both in different parts of your essay—but it’s worth considering them if you struggle to structure your arguments.

Regardless of which approach you take, your essay should always be structured using an introduction , a body , and a conclusion .

Like other academic essays, an argumentative essay begins with an introduction . The introduction serves to capture the reader’s interest, provide background information, present your thesis statement , and (in longer essays) to summarize the structure of the body.

Hover over different parts of the example below to see how a typical introduction works.

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts is on the rise, and its role in learning is hotly debated. For many teachers who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its critical benefits for students and educators—as a uniquely comprehensive and accessible information source; a means of exposure to and engagement with different perspectives; and a highly flexible learning environment.

The body of an argumentative essay is where you develop your arguments in detail. Here you’ll present evidence, analysis, and reasoning to convince the reader that your thesis statement is true.

In the standard five-paragraph format for short essays, the body takes up three of your five paragraphs. In longer essays, it will be more paragraphs, and might be divided into sections with headings.

Each paragraph covers its own topic, introduced with a topic sentence . Each of these topics must contribute to your overall argument; don’t include irrelevant information.

This example paragraph takes a Rogerian approach: It first acknowledges the merits of the opposing position and then highlights problems with that position.

Hover over different parts of the example to see how a body paragraph is constructed.

A common frustration for teachers is students’ use of Wikipedia as a source in their writing. Its prevalence among students is not exaggerated; a survey found that the vast majority of the students surveyed used Wikipedia (Head & Eisenberg, 2010). An article in The Guardian stresses a common objection to its use: “a reliance on Wikipedia can discourage students from engaging with genuine academic writing” (Coomer, 2013). Teachers are clearly not mistaken in viewing Wikipedia usage as ubiquitous among their students; but the claim that it discourages engagement with academic sources requires further investigation. This point is treated as self-evident by many teachers, but Wikipedia itself explicitly encourages students to look into other sources. Its articles often provide references to academic publications and include warning notes where citations are missing; the site’s own guidelines for research make clear that it should be used as a starting point, emphasizing that users should always “read the references and check whether they really do support what the article says” (“Wikipedia:Researching with Wikipedia,” 2020). Indeed, for many students, Wikipedia is their first encounter with the concepts of citation and referencing. The use of Wikipedia therefore has a positive side that merits deeper consideration than it often receives.

An argumentative essay ends with a conclusion that summarizes and reflects on the arguments made in the body.

No new arguments or evidence appear here, but in longer essays you may discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your argument and suggest topics for future research. In all conclusions, you should stress the relevance and importance of your argument.

Hover over the following example to see the typical elements of a conclusion.

The internet has had a major positive impact on the world of education; occasional pitfalls aside, its value is evident in numerous applications. The future of teaching lies in the possibilities the internet opens up for communication, research, and interactivity. As the popularity of distance learning shows, students value the flexibility and accessibility offered by digital education, and educators should fully embrace these advantages. The internet’s dangers, real and imaginary, have been documented exhaustively by skeptics, but the internet is here to stay; it is time to focus seriously on its potential for good.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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An argumentative essay tends to be a longer essay involving independent research, and aims to make an original argument about a topic. Its thesis statement makes a contentious claim that must be supported in an objective, evidence-based way.

An expository essay also aims to be objective, but it doesn’t have to make an original argument. Rather, it aims to explain something (e.g., a process or idea) in a clear, concise way. Expository essays are often shorter assignments and rely less on research.

At college level, you must properly cite your sources in all essays , research papers , and other academic texts (except exams and in-class exercises).

Add a citation whenever you quote , paraphrase , or summarize information or ideas from a source. You should also give full source details in a bibliography or reference list at the end of your text.

The exact format of your citations depends on which citation style you are instructed to use. The most common styles are APA , MLA , and Chicago .

The majority of the essays written at university are some sort of argumentative essay . Unless otherwise specified, you can assume that the goal of any essay you’re asked to write is argumentative: To convince the reader of your position using evidence and reasoning.

In composition classes you might be given assignments that specifically test your ability to write an argumentative essay. Look out for prompts including instructions like “argue,” “assess,” or “discuss” to see if this is the goal.

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Guide For Writing An Argumentative Essay About The Nobel Prize In Literature

Argumentation is one of the most important skills that a person can have. It allows people to express their ideas and beliefs, and defend them against opposing viewpoints. Being able to argue effectively can help people win arguments, but it can also help them learn more about the topics they are discussing. If you are struggling with writing an essay we offer a wide range of writing services . 

What Is A Nobel Prize And Who Gets It?

The Nobel prize is an academic award that honors authors who have "distinguished themselves by their literary achievement in a field of literature." The award was created in 1895 by Swedish chemist and inventor Alfred Nobel and is considered one of the most prestigious accolades in the world. Recipients of the Nobel prize receive a gold medal, a diploma, and a cash prize.

Since its inception, the Nobel Prize in Literature has been awarded to 108 authors from 26 different countries. Nobel prizes are not limited to any particular genre or style of writing, and recipients can range from novelists and poets to playwrights and essayists. Some of the most notable Nobel committee winners include William Golding, Toni Morrison, Gabriel García Márquez, and Bob Dylan.

The selection process for the Nobel Prize in Literature prize is highly rigorous. The Academy of Letters, which oversees the award, receives nominations from around the world every year. A committee then reviews all of the nominations and selects a small number of finalists. These finalists are then sent to a panel of experts who judge them on their literary merits. The panel selects a winner based on their overall body of work, with emphasis placed on how the author has furthered the literary conversation.

Critics have argued that the Nobel Prize in Literature is often overshadowed by other awards, such as the Academy Awards or the Pulitzer Prize. However, it remains one of the most prestigious accolades an author can receive.

What is an Argumentative Essay?

An argumentative essay is a form of writing that explores the writer’s viewpoint on any topic. To write an effective argumentative essay, the writer must first research the topic and gather evidence to support their position. They must then organize this information clearly and concisely, and present it in a way that is easy for the reader to understand.

The goal of an argumentative essay is not to convince the reader that one side is right and one side is wrong. Rather, it is to present the evidence in a way that allows the reader to make their own decision. By doing this, the writer can help the reader better understand the topic at hand, and come to their conclusions.

Five Types of Argument Claims?

The argument claim that describes the prevailing viewpoint in your argument are as follows:

A fact claim is a statement that can be proven true or false. In an argumentative essay, the writer typically uses fact claims to support their position. The goal of using fact claims is to provide evidence that can be used to back up the writer’s position.

When using the definition claim, you should only focus on the standard definition of the word or expression. This means that you should use a definition that is provided by a dictionary or other reliable source. You should not use your definition or the definition that is used in everyday conversation. Doing so will weaken your argument, and could cause the reader to doubt your credibility.

Cause And Effect 

When writing about a cause and effect claim, it is important to remember that the focus should be on the issue, not on the reasons why it occurred. In other words, you should not discuss how the issue affects other people or things. Rather, you should discuss how the issue affects the topic of your argument.

When writing about a policy claim, it is important to remember that the focus should be on the issue, not on the reasons why it occurred. In other words, you should not discuss how the issue affects other people or things. Rather, you should discuss how the issue affects the topic of your argument.

Tips For Argumentative Essay Writing

An argumentative essay relies on persuasion to convince the reader that your opinion is the ultimate truth. To do this, you must provide evidence that supports your position and present it clearly and concisely. You must also be prepared to respond to any objections that the reader may have. Some tips to consider are in the following h3s.

Choose An Arguable Topic 

When it comes to selecting a topic for an argumentative essay, the teacher typically allows you to choose your topic. This can be a great opportunity to choose an issue that you are passionate about or one that you feel confident arguing. However, it is important to make sure that the topic has arguable sides. This means that there are two sides to the argument, and both can be supported with evidence.

When selecting a topic, it is also important to consider your audience. The goal of an argumentative essay is not to convince the reader that your opinion is right and their opinion is wrong. Rather, it is to present the evidence in a way that allows the reader to make their own decision.

Focus On Controversial Issues

One of the best ways to find a topic for an argumentative essay is to look for controversial issues. These are typically topics that people have different opinions about. By taking a stand on one side of the issue, you will be able to present your evidence in a way that is easy for the reader to follow.

Take A Stance You Can Support

When choosing an emotionally-charged topic for an argumentative essay, it is important to avoid those that are limited in scope. This means that you should avoid topics that can be easily divided into two clear sides. By choosing a topic like this, you will not be able to provide enough evidence to support your position. Instead, it is best to choose a topic that is more complex and has several different points of view. This will allow you to present a well-rounded argument and provide the reader with the information they need to make their own decision.

Consider Your Audience

When writing an argumentative essay, it is important to consider your audience. This means that you should avoid topics that are too controversial or those that are too personal. The goal of an argumentative essay is to convince the reader that your opinion is the ultimate truth. To do this, you must present your evidence clearly and concisely. You must also be prepared to respond to any objections that the reader may have.

Gather Convincing Evidence 

While it is important to have personal experience and opinions when writing an argumentative essay, these should not be the focus of the argument. Rather, they should be used to support the evidence that is presented. For the reader to make their own decision, it is important to provide a well-rounded argument that is based on evidence.

Outline Your Essay

When writing an argumentative essay, it is important to have a clear understanding of the position that you are taking. This means that you should outline your essay before you start writing it. By doing this, you will be able to stay on track and make sure that your argument is well-organized.

In addition, it is important to gather convincing evidence to support your position. This evidence can come from personal experience, expert opinions, or research. By using a variety of sources, you will be able to present a well-rounded argument to the reader.

Finally, always be prepared to respond to any objections that the reader may have. By addressing these objections head-on, you will be able to strengthen your argument and convince the reader that your opinion is the right one.

Write A Captivating Title And Intro

The title of an essay is important because it provides the reader with a snapshot of what to expect. A good title will also pique the reader's interest and make them want to read more. In addition, a title can be used to set up a debate or argumentative essay. By using a question as the title, you are providing the reader with a clear position right from the start. This will help to keep the reader engaged and make them more likely to read the entire essay.

Mind The Formatting Requirements

To write a successful argumentative essay , there are several things that you need to keep in mind. First and foremost, you need to make sure that your essay is well-organized and has a clear structure. This means that each paragraph should have a main idea that is supported by evidence. Additionally, you need to make sure that your argument flows smoothly and that your points are connected.

Another important aspect of formatting an argumentative essay is the use of transitions. Transitions are used to connect one idea to another and can help to create a more fluid argument. By using transitions, you will be able to keep the reader's attention and make sure that they understand the connection between your ideas.

Conclude By Restating The Thesis

The conclusion paragraph should always restate the thesis . In addition, it is a good idea to summarize every paragraph in the essay. This will help the reader to understand the main points that were made and how they support the thesis . By doing this, you will leave the reader with a clear understanding of your argumentative essay.

End With A Call To Action

The conclusion paragraph should always leave the reader with a clear understanding of your argumentative essay. In addition, it is a good idea to end with a call to action. This will encourage the reader to take some sort of action based on the information that they have just read. By doing this, you will help to further your argument and ensure that the reader remembers your points.

Edit The Final Draft

Once you have written the first draft of your essay, it is important to edit it. This means that you should check for any grammar or spelling errors. Additionally, you should make sure that your argument is well-organized and that your points are made. Finally, always be sure to proofread your essay before you submit it. By taking the time to edit your essay, you will be able to create a well-written and compelling argument.

Example Of Argumentative Essay "Was Bob Dylan Nobel Prize Worthy?” 

Since Bob Dylan has finally accepted his Nobel Prize for literature, there is now more to discuss than just whether or not he was worthy of the award. After all, Dylan is a celebrated songwriter and musician, so it's no wonder that some people felt he didn't quite deserve to win the Nobel Prize for literature.

However, after taking a closer look at his work, it's clear that Dylan is more than just a simple songwriter. His lyrics are complex and often deal with weighty topics such as war, love, and loss. Many of his songs can be seen as poems in their own right. Additionally, Dylan has been heavily influenced by classic authors such as William Faulkner and T.S. Eliot.

So was Bob Dylan Nobel Prize-worthy? After considering all of the evidence, it seems clear that he was. Dylan is a master of words and his songs are truly works of art. He may not be the most traditional choice for a Nobel Prize winner, but that doesn't mean that he isn't deserving.

Why Bob Dylan Deserves His Nobel Prize

According to the Swedish Academy, Dylan won "for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition." In other words, they felt that his lyrics were truly unique and showed a real depth of understanding. Dylan is a master of words and he has used his music to express complex ideas and emotions.

So why did the Swedish Academy choose Bob Dylan whose real name is Robert Allen Zimmerman for the Nobel Prize? They felt that his lyrics were some of the best that had been written in the past century. His songs are filled with meaning and insight, and he has shown a real mastery of the English language. Dylan is more than just a musician- he is a true artist who has used his work to explore important topics and ideas.

Why Bob Dylan Shouldn’t Have Gotten a Nobel

Bob Dylan is a famous musician, but that doesn't mean he deserved to win the Nobel Prize for literature. His work is primarily focused on music, and while his lyrics are often complex, they don't always deal with literary topics. Additionally, Dylan has been heavily influenced by other authors and musicians, so it's not entirely clear that his work is entirely original.

Ultimately, Bob Dylan is a talented musician and songwriter, but he may not be the best choice for a Nobel Prize winner. His work is primarily focused on music, and while his lyrics are often complex, they don't always deal with literary topics. Additionally, Dylan has been heavily influenced by other authors

Final Thoughts

The Nobel Prize in Literature is one of the most prestigious awards a writer can receive. It has been awarded since 1901 and is given to “the person who shall have produced in the field of literature the most outstanding work in an ideal direction” Each year, writers from all over the world compete for this award, but only one can win. In this guide, we will explore what is needed to write a winning argumentative essay about the Nobel Prize in Literature. We will also look at an example of such an essay and provide tips on how you can improve your writing . If you are looking for help with your essay, our team of experts is available to assist you. 

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