3.3.1; How to Write an Argumentative Essay

3.3.1 In everyday life, often, you make arguments and use examples, quotes, or evidence to say that someone or something is the best among the alternatives. Sometimes, you also write texts where you explain which is the best option using evidence. This type of text is known as an Argumentative Essay. Now, read the following note to learn about the steps to write an Argumentative Essay. 

তোমার প্রাত্যহিক জীবনে, প্রায়ই তুমি কোনো ব্যক্তি বা কোনো কিছুকে বিকল্পগুলোর মধ্যে শ্রেষ্ঠ বলার জন্য বিতর্ক করো, উদাহরণ দাও, উদ্ধৃতি বা প্রমাণ উল্লেখ করো। মাঝে মাঝে, তুমি প্রমান উল্লেখ করে সেরা বিকল্পটির ব্যাখ্যাসহ অনুচ্ছেদও লেখো। এই ধরনের লেখাগুলিই যুক্তিমূলক প্রবন্ধ হিসেবে পরিচিত। এখন, যুক্তিমূলক প্রবন্ধ লেখার ধাপগুলি জানতে নিচের নোটটি পড়ো।

What is an Argumentative Essay?

An argumentative essay is a genre of writing in which you will argue for a reason or case. It requires you to investigate a topic or an issue from different angles to know about the strengths and weaknesses of that issue. And based on the strengths and weaknesses of the issue, you have to take a position on it. In an argumentative essay, you either argue in favour or against an issue. An argumentative essay aims to convince the readers to agree with your point of view.

An argumentative essay demands logical explanations of your position rather than your thoughts and feelings about it. Suppose you are trying to get your parents to buy a bicycle for you, and you can offer one of two arguments in your favour. You may tell your parents:

You should buy me a Bicycle because I just want you to!

You should buy me a Bicycle because cycling is good exercise, and it saves some time to get home from school.

The first argument is based entirely on feelings without any factual backup, whereas the second one seems logical. Your parents are more likely to respond positively to the second argument because it demonstrates that you have reason to have a bicycle. Similarly, a logically explained argumentative essay will show the readers that your point has a basis in facts, not just feelings and emotions.

Now, let’s find out the steps to write an argumentative essay!

Step 1: Find an issue or a topic.

To write an argumentative essay, first of all, you need to look for a topic that you can better argue on.

Step 2: Choose your position.

To decide your position, brainstorm and think critically about the issue or topic. Whatever the position you decide to take of an issue, you have to come up with points that cover both sides (argument for and against) of the issue. To do that, note down some points with examples or analogies in favour of your position and similarly note down some points that usually goes against your position.

Step 3: Plan your essay

This is the most important step that you cannot skip it. If you putyour best effort at this stage, your writing will be much easier. Remember, if you start the essay well, the rest will follow.

Here, we are following a common method for writing an argumentative essay, the five- paragraph approach. This is, however, by no means the only formula for writing such essays.

So, let’s plan an argumentative essay!

The topic of our argumentative essay Online learning can replace face-to-face learning.

1. The plan of writing the essay

The introduction

• Introduce the issue or topic
• Background and connecting information about the topic
• Thesis statement: Take your position about the issue. Here, you have to write it clearly whether you are arguing in favour of online learning or face to face learning.

The body paragraph-1

• Topic sentence (statements to establish your position)
• Explain and support your argument with evidence
• Conclusion

The body paragraph-2 (statements to establish your position)

• Topic sentence
• Explain and support your argument with evidence
• Conclusion

The body paragraph-3

• Counter argument (statements that usually go against your position)
• Examples of the counter arguments
• Conclusion

The conclusion

• Summary of the main points
• Restatement of your position

2. Write the essay 

3. Edit the essay

4. Write the final draft of the essay 

So, let’s start writing the essay! 

The introduction:

• An attention grabber- This is something to grab the reader’s attention to make them want to continue reading. It doesn’t give the writer’s point of view but rather gets the attention of the readers. For our topic, we may write-

Can you imagine a world without schools and classrooms?

• Background and connecting information about the topic- This part will set a context of your topic and tell the readers why the topic is important or why the readers should care about the issue. Here, we may write-

• The thesis statement- This is your opinion. It is the core of your argument on which your essay will be built. So, it needs to be strong and well-reasoned. You will expand on it with facts and sources, not just feelings. You may use the following template to write your thesis statement.

Template: Although/even though/in spite of/despite/while/whereas opposing point of view your argument because the reasons your argument is right.

The thesis statement for the topic may be

Though online learning creates opportunities for the students to enhance learning, it can’t replace face-to-face learning because learning is a two-way process and we learn through interaction.

If we put together all three parts, our introduction will look like the following-

The Body Paragraph:

You can use more body paragraphs but this essay it includes three paragraphs. These are-Body-1, Body-2, and Body-3. Remember that each paragraph should focus on either showcasing one piece of supporting evidence or disproving one contradictory opinion. This will allow for clarity and direction throughout the essay. Now, you have to move your three decided arguments to each of the body paragraphs. Then, add evidence and examples. You can use the following template to write all your body paragraphs.

Body Paragraph 1

• Topic Sentence: This is the first reason for your argument listed in the thesis. Suppose, for the body paragraph-I of our argumentative essay, the first argument is-learning mostly happens through communication and interaction between the teacher-student and student-student.

Template: One of the primary reasons why                  is because                  . 

We may write-One of the reasons why online learning can’t replace face-to-face learning is that learning is a two-way process and people learn better through interaction.

• Support your point of view with at least one quote or paraphrase.

Template: According to (name of the author/ speaker), “. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ” (page number).

• Explain how this quote or paraphrase proves your point.

Template: What this means is that/in other words/clearly.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Now, if we put together all the parts of the template, our first body paragraph will be

Body paragraph 2

Now, it’s your turn to write body paragraph 2 following the same template of body paragraph 1.

Start from here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

It’s time to write body paragraph 31

Body paragraph 3

In this paragraph, you will acknowledge the opposing point of view and discuss the conflicting opinions on the topic. Rather than explaining how these differing opinions are wrong outright, you should note how opinions that do not align with your thesis might not be well-informed or how they might be out of date. So, let’s start writing. You may use the following template to write the body paragraph 3.

• Counterargument: Point out what other people say that opposes your argument.

Template: Some may argue that                                           .

We may write-

• Concede and refute: It shows that you respect the opposing point of view by acknowledging it but then prove that it is wrong and that you are right.

Template: Despite the fact that/In spite of the fact that/Although/Even though/Though + “opposing point of view,” + “your argument”

We may write-

Argue your point to prove that you are right and the opposing point of view is wrong. Integrate at least one quote or paraphrase to support your point of view.

Template: In fact/As can be seen in (studies, research, etc.),                                    .

According to the name of the author, “. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ”(page number).

• Explain the quote or paraphrase using the following transitional expressions. Template: What this means is that/In other words/Clearly…..

We can write-

In other words, we can say online classes may give flexibility and save money but it will distract students attention. Because when students are in front of a computer, the attractions are just a click away. Very often, the students join the class and play games, watch movies etc. Again, learning depends on the relationship between teacher and student which can’t be achieved on the same level over the computer. So, it’s obvious that online classes can’t replace face-to-face learning.

• Here, you may conclude your third body paragraph by restating the topic sentence in different words. But, it is not always necessary.

So, we may conclude by writing that

It’s true that online classes are flexible and less expensive but all will be meaningless if it doesn’t ensure student’s learning.

So, if we put together all the parts of the paragraph, our third body paragraph will be

Some may argue that with the advancement of technology, online classes will be the best option for learning as they are flexible and less expensive. In spite of the fact that technology is gradually knocking at every door, it can’t ensure learning but rather distracts the students from learning. In other words, we can say online classes may give flexibility and save money but it will distract students’ attention. Because when students are in front of a computer, their attractions are just a click away. Very often, the students join the class and play games, watch movies etc. Again, learning depends on the relationship between teacher and student which can’t be achieved on the same level over the computer. So, it’s obvious that online classes can’t replace face-to-face classes. It’s true that online classes are flexible and less expensive but all will be meaningless if it doesn’t ensure student learning

The conclusion

Now, we are just at the end of our essay writing. This is the portion of the essay that will leave the most immediate impression on the mind of the reader. Therefore, it must be effective and logical. Do not introduce any new information into the conclusion; rather, synthesise the information presented in the body of the essay. Restate why the topic is important, review the main points, and review your thesis. So, let’s write the conclusion of the essay

We may write-

Note that transitions between the introduction, body, and conclusion are the mortar that holds the foundation of the essay together. Without logical progression of thought, the reader is unable to follow the essay’s argument, and the structure will collapse. Transitions should wrap up the idea from the previous section and introduce the idea that is to follow in the next section.

3. Edit your writing

Read the essay once again from the start and change it to make it sound better and more professional. For example:

• Add linking words: However/ Moreover/ Although/ Despite… etc
• Look for better vocabulary use more specific words where possible eg. “good” “accurate” or “caring”
• Check you have both long and short sentences
• Check you don’t repeat yourself
• And, your argument is clear

4. Write your final draft

This is the final edit so focus on the details! Read it once for punctuation, once for spelling and then once finally for clarity – because clarity is the most important.