Tips on How to Write an Argumentative Essay. Psst... 98% of Kibin users report better grades! This claim suggests that, because bugs are nutritious, eating them can help solve hunger problems. (You’re basically continuing to argue why you’re right.). Using this word makes it clear you’re taking a stance on the argument. Putting together an argumentative essay outline is the perfect way to turn your blank document into a ready-to-use template. So you might write something like: The world would be a better place if more people ate insects as a part of their diets. But hold up—it’s not enough to simply acknowledge the opposing view. For those interested in improving their diets and the environment, say goodbye to eating chicken, fish, and beef and hello to eating silkworms, crickets, and caterpillars. Once your introduction is in place, you can move on to the next section and develop the key arguments that will support your thesis statement. In just a few sentences, you’ve given readers a better understanding of your topic. Understand the purpose of an argumentative essay. If you distill your argumentative essay outline down to its basics, you’ll find that it’s made of four main sections: That’s not so bad, is it? There’s really nothing to be afraid of. Once you break it down, writing an argumentative essay outline isn’t that daunting. When you have your argumentative essay and outline ready to go, you can always have one of our awesome editors give it a second look. It is the most important part of an argumentative essay because it established a foundation for your claim. When arguing that more people in the US should start eating insects, you might address the opposing view (or counterargument) by writing something like this: Opponents of insect eating say that, even though insects have some nutritional value, they simply don’t taste good and therefore should not be considered a food source. An argumentative essay is typically written in one of two formats, the Toulmin model or the Rogerian model. Currently, people in the United States shun the idea of eating insects as part of their diets, favoring instead less nutritious and environmentally destructive food options, such as beef and pork. If you’re interested in learning more about argumentative essays, take a look at these posts: If you’re not quite ready to write an outline and are still looking for the perfect topic for your paper, check out 70 Argumentative Essay Topics That Will Put Up a Good Fight and 30 Argumentative Essay Ideas That Will Pick a Good Fight. Check out these argumentative essay examples. You might write something like this as your background information if you’re trying to convince readers that they should eat insects: Insects are abundant, nutritious, and environmentally sustainable. Here’s an example you might use to support your paper about eating insects: Research has found that “edible insects are found in a wide variety of species and are an important food item, which has a high nutritive value suitable for human nutrition. At the end, I’ll give you a downloadable skeleton outline you can use to get started. Fewer people would go hungry, more people would get the vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients they need to live healthy lifestyles, and the planet would be relieved of the burden of an unsustainable food system. Present Both Sides of the Controversy. Before you go off into the sunset and use this outline template, make sure that you’re following the guidelines specific to your course. Introduce Your Evidence. Provide Some Background and Context. It paints a picture of the world if your argument is (or is not) implemented. 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. In order to strengthen your own argument and demonstrate that you’ve looked at all aspects of the topic, you need to address the opposing view. Argumentative essays have some basic features that you should include in your essay. In an argumentative essay, the thesis statement should clearly state your position on the topic and give a reason for your stance. If you’re having trouble coming up with a good hook, I recommend reading these posts: The next part of your intro is dedicated to offering some detailed background information on the topic. Since you have to write an argumentative essay, you might as well learn how to write it well, right? How to Write a Good Essay Introduction? The argumentative essay is a genre of writing that requires the student to investigate a topic; collect, generate, and evaluate evidence; and establish a position on the topic in a concise manner. Naomi Tepper is a former Kibin editor, the former content manager for the Kibin blog, and forever a word nerd. Get inspiration from over 500,000 example essays. The author may present arguments equally, or support one in favour of others. Conclusion. Good luck with your essay, and happy dining! It’s a sentence that will intrigue your readers and make them want to learn more. For instance, let’s say you’re writing an argumentative essay about why Americans should start eating insects. Published on July 24, 2020 by Jack Caulfield. It’s generally one of the key arguments of your paper and often the topic sentence of a paragraph. Once you have refuted your opponents’ viewpoints, it’s time to sail to the finish line with your conclusion. In general, argumentative essays require you to support the argument you are making using logic and support from your research. When writing an argument essay, you’re writing in support of one side of an argument. Note any discussions that seem important to the topic, and try to find … Your conclusion will accomplish two important tasks: Similar to what you did in your introduction, you want to state why this topic is critical. State Your Thesis. Editor’s note: This post was originally published on July 7, 2014, but has been updated with fresh information and advice. Please note: Some confusion may occur between the argumentative essay and the expository essay. It is called an argumentative research paper because the goal is to form an argument in defense of a specific position. This will help readers understand the topic and set the stage for the focus of your paper. It also makes them want to learn more about how eating insects can improve not only their health but also the environment. Gather Evidence. It restates the importance of your issue. This, of course, means there’s another side, and readers might disagree with your point of view. Find a Good Topic and Point of View. In this example, you might want them to think about what would happen if people started eating insects as a staple of their diets. Insects are a suitable alternative food source, which can aid in the management of nutrient deficiency and overall food security if used on a wide scale” (Kinyuru et al. Being able to write a good essay is an essential skill for your future. The next step is to include the rebuttal. So if you want to make a claim about eating insects, you might write something like this: Bugs are highly nutritious, and eating them can fix the problem of hunger and malnutrition in the United States. This is where you’ll essentially explain to your audience why your argument is valid. All you have to do is fill in the blanks. You’ve also started to establish yourself as an authoritative and credible writer by referencing the UN, an organization that also supports the idea of including insects in a healthy diet. Conduct preliminary research. ), A claim is a statement you make to support your argument. Writing an Argumentative Essay Made Easy (Infographic) 2 Argumentative Essay Examples With a Fighting Chance; If you’re not quite ready to write an outline and are still looking for the perfect topic for your paper, check out 70 Argumentative Essay Topics That Will Put Up a Good Fight and 30 Argumentative Essay Ideas That Will Pick a Good Fight. Download this skeleton outline for an argumentative essay to get started. IMPORTANT REMINDER: If you’re using any type of evidence from sources to support claims, you must cite any information you’ve gathered from sources in an appropriate style, such as APA or MLA. These steps will help you get your point across clearly and concisely: Turn the topic into a question and answer it. Although argumentative essay is generally written as a normal article, it is useful to pay attention to some details when going into more details. Write down this argumentative essay structure on a piece of paper, and under each section (introduction, arguments, refutations, conclusion) scribble down what you want to say in each section. When writing an argumentative essay, it is important to focus on facts and information rather than personal ideas or preferences. Notice the word “should” in the thesis statement? Three Ways to Write a Thesis Statement (With Examples) Start With an Enticing Hook. Lead with an interesting fact or statistic, a quote, a personal anecdote, or a thought-provoking question. If you don’t have to submit a formal outline for your class or if outlines aren’t your thing, you might also try using a graphic organizer to get your ideas on paper. You’ll also notice that this thesis statement sets up three claims to expand on later: a diet of insects can help fix problems related to starvation, obesity, and climate change. To write a good introduction paragraph, you need to first identify your audience. Not sure what to include as background information? It’s made up of a hook, background information, and a thesis statement. In the final part of the conclusion, make your audience think about the ramifications of your argument. This statement addresses the opposing view by acknowledging that some people don’t want to eat bugs for the simple fact that they don’t taste good. Offering three claims is just a suggestion. 18). The evidence you include should not be based only on personal knowledge or your own opinion. evaluate evidence; and establish a position on the topic in a concise manner This involves extensive research covering all aspects of the topic and gathering information on all involved points of view. I’ve said it time and time again—there’s nothing worse than staring at a blank page. Need a little more inspiration and want to see what a completed argumentative essay looks like? In the sample outline above, there are three claims, each backed by three points of evidence. Revised on September 18, 2020. Each one of these plant-loving insects absorbs the taste of your chosen seasoning and adds a satisfyingly crunchy texture” (Payne). You can do this by restating some of the key ideas presented in your paper or by restating the ideas presented in your thesis. Your first sentence is comprised of a hook that grabs readers’ attention just like a good Jackie Chan movie grabs the attention of a martial arts fan. How to Write an Argumentative Essay, Argumentative Essay Examples. The introduction is where you lay the foundation for your impenetrable argument. As many as 80 percents of corporations with employment growth potential assess their applicants’ writing skills during the hiring process. Writing an Argumentative Essay (Without appropriate citation, your paper is plagiarized.). Once you have gathered your evidence to support your claims, it’s time to add the next important elements of your argumentative essay outline: counterarguments and rebuttal. (If you write a three-part thesis statement, it’s also usually one of the three points listed.). Writing an argumentative research paper involves exploring a topic, collecting and analyzing evidence, then establishing a position on the topic. Looking for additional help crafting the perfect thesis statement for your essay? An argumentative essay is generally research-based, so you’ll need to include factual information from reliable sources to support your claim. Including evidence from a credible source helps prove the opposing view is not as strong as your own argument. You can borrow the material you wrote from your pre-writing to do this. Regardless, the thesis must include all of the primary points (and counterpoints) that will appear in the essay… In this final section of the body of your essay, you’ll first acknowledge the opposing viewpoint. Set up a big question in the title of your essay or within the first few... State an argument—and then refute it. The standard five-paragraph essay is common in writing argumentative essays, but it’s not the only way to write one. The UN has even issued a statement calling for more world citizens to embrace the many benefits of eating insects. You may find that you have more claims to make. Leave them with a powerful statement to get them thinking about your ideas. Learn the basic features of an argumentative essay. Write the Essay. Closing with a clear picture of the world as you would like it to be can leave your reader convinced that your argument is valid. In the insect example, you might write something like this: Simply by incorporating insects into their diets, US citizens can improve the sustainability and nutrition of the American diet. (Don’t use the same wording in your conclusion as you did in your introduction. Let's take a look. In this blog post, I’m going to share with you how to create an argumentative essay outline. Here’s how your argumentative essay outline would look if you turned it into a pretty picture: Let’s break down the four elements and take a look at what needs to be incorporated into each. By the way, if all this talk of eating insects has made you hungry, here are 20 bug recipes you might want to try. How to Write a Thesis Statement for Argumentative Essay The thesis statement is a concise, clear, and one-sentence summary of the whole essay. A great argumentative essay always combines the same basic elements: approaching an argument from a rational perspective, researching sources, supporting your claims using facts rather than opinion, and articulating your reasoning into the most cogent and reasoned points. A thesis statement typically makes up the last sentence of your introduction paragraph and provides a roadmap to your paper. This is where evidence comes into play. You’ve explained that most people shun insects in favor of more traditional American meats, such as beef and pork (even though consuming these meats causes more harm to the environment). The purpose of this type of essay is to fully investigate an issue or topic. Restate the ideas, not the same words.). To do so, you need to include counterarguments and the rebuttal. Read these posts: If you need a few examples before you start writing your own thesis, take a look at these example argumentative thesis statements. How to write an argumentative essay. Writing Argumentative Essay. This is a great claim, but who’s going to believe it? This hook sentence grabs the attention of the audience. Put simply, insects are “lighter than meat and heavier than seafood, [and] they’re delicious. If you want to offer a rebuttal to the counterargument that no one wants to eat bugs because they taste awful, you might write something like this: Even though some may cringe at the thought of eating what they feel might be disgusting bugs, insects are eaten in many parts of the world and prized for their varied tastes. (Keep in mind that your assignment may already dictate how many claims are required for your specific paper, so make sure to read the assignment guidelines again carefully before starting. In our essay about eating insects, the thesis statement might look like this: A diet of insects can help fix problems related to starvation, obesity, and climate change; therefore, US citizens should learn to rely on a variety of insects over chicken, beef, and fish as their main source of protein and nutrition. nothing worse than staring at a blank page, How to Write Attention Grabbers that Work, How to Write a Thesis Statement in 5 Simple Steps, How to Turn a Good Thesis Statement Into a Great One, take a look at these example argumentative thesis statements, The Secrets of a Strong Argumentative Essay, Writing an Argumentative Essay Made Easy (Infographic), 2 Argumentative Essay Examples With a Fighting Chance, 70 Argumentative Essay Topics That Will Put Up a Good Fight, 30 Argumentative Essay Ideas That Will Pick a Good Fight. View is not ) implemented or statistic, a personal anecdote, support... 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