How to Write an Argumentative Essay That Wins Debates

Hey students, are you assigned to write an argumentative essay and need to know how to write a winning one? Well, then this blog is for you. These essays are designed to persuade the readers to accept your POV using logic, evidence, and reasoning. The only key to writing a good essay is to ensure that it is written properly.

If that’s what you want to know, this blog is for you. Here we will walk you through the top tips and common mistakes you need to avoid. Let’s go. 

What is an Argumentative Essay?

An argumentative essay is one of the types of essays where the writer takes a stance on a debatable topic and uses evidence and logical reasoning to convince readers. 

Hence, the aim is not to persuade the readers but also to address potential counterarguments while keeping your point strong and valid.

Step-by-Step: How to Write an Argumentative Essay

1. Choose a Strong Debatable Topic

The first step you need to take is to pick a topic that has two clear sides and you can argue on easily. Furthermore, avoid topics that are too broad. Your topic should invite open discussion. Moreover, ensure it is relevant and engaging to work on. 

You must consider:

• The scope you will cover
• The counterarguments
• Your final goal

2. Develop a Thesis Statement

The next thing you need to do is develop a thesis statement, as it is the main claim. Moreover, remember you will be defending this throughout the argumentative essay writing. Hence, it should be specific and arguable. Also, you should be able to grab your readers' attention.

Here’s what you must do to write a good thesis statement:

1. Ask a question in the first paragraph and then answer it. In addition, it draws readers' attention and encourages them to find a detailed answer.
2. State an argument and refute it. This means to discuss the opposing idea and explain why you disagree with it.
3. Lastly, give a brief idea of your argument and everything that you will be discussing in your essay. This helps as a roadmap and keeps you organized.

3. Research and Use Credible Sources

Conduct extensive research to collect the relevant information. Furthermore, support your argument with data, studies, expert opinions, and real-world examples. Also, make sure to use only reliable academic sources like journals, government websites, and expert interviews. 

Ensure that the information is correct and will add value to your work. 

4. Structure your Essay

Make sure to create a structure for your essay that is effective and clear. Furthermore, maintain a logical flow. Here is how it should look: 

• Introduction

• Main Body Paragraphs

• Conclusion

Break your essay into different headings and subheadings. This is the most common format you would see in various types of essay writing. Furthermore, convey your thoughts correctly and use transition words. 

5. Address the Opposing Viewpoint

Strong argumentative essays always include other sides, too. Therefore, you need to briefly present the opposing argument. Moreover, explain why it has issues or is less valid than your own. You have to persuade your readers by using a technique called the “inoculation.” This theory lets readers stick to your side of the argument.

6. A Powerful Conclusion

Just like how you started strong and grabbed the reader’s attention, it’s important to conclude with an impact. In addition, you have to summarize the key points of the essay and write it in an impactful tone. 

7. Review and Edit

Once you are done writing the essay, you have to proofread and edit it, so make sure to read aloud and check how it sounds to the readers. Furthermore, check for grammar clarity and flow. A clean, well-organised essay reads more easily. Also, it makes a good impression on the readers.

5 Types of Argument Claim

There are 5 types of argument claims for writing an argumentative essay. These are:

1. Fact: whether the statement is true or not
2. Definition: the exact definition of what you are arguing. And also your opinions and understanding about it
3. Value: the significance of what you are arguing
4. Cause and effect: What’s the main problem and how it’s affecting
5. Policy: Why should readers care about it, and what can they do after reading it

3 Most Used Types of Arguments and Their Use

To write an argumentative essay, there are three common types of structure. In addition, you can pick one or combine them in your essay. These are:

Classical (Aristotelian) Argument

This is a traditional and straightforward way to build a strong claim. In addition, it involves presenting evidence, logical reasoning, addressing counterarguments, and rebuttals.

Furthermore, this is the most used method because it’s simple and line to think and follow. Also, it’s great to use this when the audience doesn’t have sufficient information about the topic and you can state various facts and other data.

Rogerian

This method prioritizes understanding different viewpoints and finding common ground. So, firstly, present the problem, acknowledge the opposing side, state your point of view, and discuss how your angle is more beneficial for readers.

Toulmin

This type of argument provides a structured way to analyze the situation. In addition, it breaks them down into two core components, which are claims, ground (evidence), and warrant (the link between them).

The aim is to present a strong relationship between these components by emphasizing evidence and claims. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Essays

Here are some common mistakes in the essay that you need to avoid: 

• Being too Emotional: Make sure to avoid using emotional lingo. Instead, ensure to stick to facts and logic. This will help you persuade the readers. 

• Lack of a Clear Thesis: If your main point is not obvious in the intro, readers will be confused. Hence, ensure the thesis is strong and clearly worded. 

• Ignoring the Arguments: Not mentioning the opposing views weakens your essay. Therefore, make sure to include them. 

• Going off topic: Wandering off the main topic or including filler content can make your essay boring. So avoid it. 

Final Thought:

This brings us to the end of the guide. In a nutshell, well-crafted argumentative essays do not just state a point. Instead, it builds a convincing case. Through this guide, you can craft a solid one. Also, make sure to know the types of argument claims and the most commonly used methods to write this essay. Furthermore, avoid common pitfalls. This way, you can craft a well-written, engaging, and interesting essay in no time.