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American author Rita Mae Brown wrote a brochure called "Language Exerts Hidden Power, Like a Moon on the Tides" (2014). One interpretation of the Title could be that language choices affect persuasiveness and credibility when communicating.

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Argumentative Essay

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Similarly, effective argumentative essays use specific linguistic methods to defend a position on an issue.

Argumentative Essay Definition

What works better when trying to convince someone of something — using demands or reason? An argumentative essay relies on Evidence and logic to prove that a viewpoint is valid or invalid or to convince an audience to take action. Statistics aren't always available to support beliefs (and that's where logic is helpful). Still, they need to be corroborated to be viewed as credible.

Qualitative and Quantitative Evidence

The two types of Evidence used to support a Thesis (claim) in an argumentative essay are qualitative and quantitative:

• Qualitative evidence is data that describes a group or theme. It answers "why" or "how" questions. Examples of qualitative data include photographs, diary entries, audio/video recordings, documents (ex: public records, calendars, articles), and case studies.
• Quantitative evidence counts or measures the amount of something. It asks "how many," "how often," or "how much." Some examples of quantitative evidence are height, temperature, amounts of time, distance, and length.

It is natural to be confident about opinions. While researching topics, be aware of bias. Don't "cherry-pick" evidence to make an Opinion look more substantial than it is, or it will be quickly discredited by someone knowledgeable on the subject.

Types of Logic and Common Logical Fallacies

When taking an exam and required to write an argumentative essay, there may not be any sources available to defend a position. Using logic to formulate an Argument helps guarantee it will be understandable and reliable.

Logic uses pathways to determine "good" and "bad" reasoning by examining parts of a declarative sentence to decide whether it's true or false. A logical Argument is consistent (doesn't contradict itself), sound (supports its conclusion by using valid points), and complete (provable within itself).

A declarative is a sentence that makes a Statement about something.

Rhetorical fallacies (also called logical fallacies) are reasoning mistakes people often make. Watch out for these logical fallacies:

• Straw-man Argument: Twists an argument into an overly simplified version of itself. An example of a straw man fallacy is saying evolution isn't real because humans evolved from monkeys, and monkeys still exist.
• Bandwagon Fallacy: Connects validity with popularity. Just because three out of four people prefer a particular soap brand doesn't mean it cleans the best.
• Faulty Causality Fallacy: Implies that because two things share a connection, one caused the other to happen. False logic would conclude that because someone wore a new shirt when they got into a car accident, the new shirt caused the accident.
• Argument From Authority Fallacy: This can happen when someone in a position of power makes claims about subjects outside their area of expertise. For example, if a veterinarian specializing in livestock wants to perform surgery on someone's pet boa constrictor, they should probably get a second Opinion .

The terms "argumentative" and "persuasive" are often used interchangeably, but they are technically two different types of essays. Both argumentative and persuasive essays use evidence and logic to defend a position.

However, a Persuasive Essay also uses emotion to appeal to the audience. For example, if the topic were gun control, an argumentative essay would examine the issue and present facts to prove its claim. A persuasive essay would present facts and include how safe (or unsafe) guns make people feel.

Argumentative Essay Topics

Argumentative essays can be written about any polarized subject, meaning an issue that contains opposing ideas. Typical argumentative essay topic ideas fall into many categories, including current events, politics, history, and culture. Here are a few topic ideas:

• Should we look at old media through the eyes of the time or era it was created?
• Is it unethical to eat meat?
• Should the United States have used atomic bombs on Japan?
• Should parents limit screen time?
• Should the United States accept more refugees from the southern border?

Argumentative Essay Format

An effective argumentative essay is made up of five key components:

• A claim Statement that can be proven or disproven. (What are the opinions that surround this issue?)
• Reasons that support the claim because they are supported by evidence. (What led someone to think this way?)
• Verifiable evidence that backs the position. (What proves the claim is valid?)
• Acknowledgement of the opposing viewpoint or counterclaim. (What does the opposite side think?)
• Rebuttals that explain how the counterclaim is incorrect. (How is their logic faulty?)

Qualifying the other side means parts of the opposing argument can't be dismissed entirely. In this case, list concessions that recognize their validity but focus on the areas they are incorrect. Words like "but" and "except" are commonly used in connection with concessions.

An argumentative essay will look like a typical essay and include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Follow the standard and begin the introduction with a hook, such as a shocking statistic or anecdote, to engage the reader.

The conclusion will usually reiterate the Thesis , summarize the essay in response to the evidence provided, and possibly ask the audience to act on the issue's behalf. However, there are a couple of variations to experiment with.

When something is reiterated, it is repeated to emphasize it or make it more clear.

The Aristotelian Method is classic and straightforward. It uses a clear pathway of logic and reason to state its case. To use this form in an argumentative essay, the first thing to do is introduce the argument. Secondly, spell out its reasons. Next, explain and refute the opposing viewpoint, then provide proof. Finally, form a conclusion.

The Toulmin Method helps disprove an argument or discuss a complex issue. Start by stating the claim clearly and concisely. Next, use evidence to ground the reasons. After that, express the warrant, or assumption, that connects the claim to the reasons. Back the claim with a specific example.

The Rogerian Method is used when both sides have valid points, or the audience could support either side. Begin with an explanation of the issue. Next, discuss how the other side thinks, including their valid points. Then, assert the claim and proof. Summarize the argument by compromising to bring both sides together—end by offering an equalized conclusion.

While disproving the other side, avoid insults and a superior tone. All these will accomplish is making the argument look weak. In addition, avoid using absolutes such as "always" or "never" because they are rarely the case, so credibility will be lost.

Argumentative Essay Outline

A strong thesis statement is the cornerstone of an effective argumentative essay. If you want your position taken seriously, you need to provide a rational argument. One way to organize thoughts into a coherent claim is to brainstorm. Questions to ask include:

• How does this affect me and others?
• Why is this important?
• Are there any solutions to this issue?
• What will happen if nothing (or something) is done about this?

Similar to how a math problem can be checked by solving it in reverse, the validity of reasoning can be checked by anticipating how the other side will disagree. Arguments while alone in the shower — it's your time to shine! Go through reasons one by one and challenge them to answer "because" in a credible way.

Once everything is figured out, use the outline to play around with the argumentative essay structure. It's much less frustrating to spend some time on the organizational flow of an essay before writing than to realize halfway through constructing the essay that something should have been put in a different spot, and it saves time while proofreading, so win-win. Formulate the outline to look like this:

I. Introduction

B. Introduce Topic and Relate it to the Hook

II. Body Paragraphs (number of paragraphs included and organized to suit your needs)

A. Claim/Counterclaim/Rebuttal

B. Evidence

C. Reason/Concession

III. Conclusion

A. Summarize Main Points

B. Restate Thesis

C. Final Thought Based on Evidence Presented/Call to Action

Argumentative Essay Example

The included sample argumentative essay is an abbreviated example of an asserted claim formatted into the Aristotelian Method:

A new mid-range sofa costs between $1000 and $3000. 1 Most likely, a person protects their investment by applying a stain guard, but having a pet cat can pose its own threat. It's frustrating when a cat decides to start scratching on the furniture, and some people decide the best way to avoid it is to have their cats declawed. However, declawing cats is painful for them and can eventually lead to health and behavioral issues.

The reader knows what to expect from the article because the thesis claim clearly explains its stance.

While declawing cats used to seem like an easy solution for problem scratching behavior, veterinarians have become more outspoken about its negative aspects for the past decade or so. To declaw a cat, they remove a portion of the cat's bone, which is comparable to removing the tips of a person's fingers. According to the American Association of Feline Practitioners, it Results in lasting nerve pain that can increase over time, cause infection, or interfere with their ability to walk .2 Rather than performing life-altering elective surgery on a pet, other options are available. Trimming the cat's nails and teaching it to use a scratching post will usually protect belongings from a cat's natural scratching behavior.

The Body Paragraph includes a claim , evidence, and reason.

A valid argument can be made that some cats are stubborn and refuse to use a scratching post . However, it's a pet owner's responsibility to take the time to try to figure out what is causing a cat to act out destructively. The cat could have an undiagnosed health issue, or it could just take a bit of extra work to persuade the cat to choose the scratching post over the arm of the expensive couch. A point to consider is the possibility that the declawed cat will not want to use its litterbox because scratching the litter causes discomfort, so the pet owner could be creating an even bigger behavioral problem down the road. 3

The Body Paragraph anticipates the opposing side's counterclaim . The author offers a rebuttal using evidence.

Indeed, a cat can't claw furniture if it doesn't have claws. However, there are multiple ways to steer a cat's inborn desire to scratch in a suitable direction. Making sure the cat has ways to keep itself occupied to prevent boredom and using a pheromonal diffuser to lower its stress level could deter the cat from scratching things it shouldn't. The alternative is to commit to caring for a cat with long-term nerve pain and potentially worse behavioral difficulties.

The conclusion offers solutions and restates the thesis claim as a consequence.

What words were used in the sample argumentative essay to avoid using certainties that could weaken the author's credibility? Are there any logical fallacies?

Argumentative Essay - Key takeaways

Unlike a Persuasive Essay that uses emotion to sway its audience, an argumentative essay uses logic and reason to state its case.

Evidence used to support your opinion in an argumentative essay can be grouped as qualitative or quantitative.

A logical argument is consistent and uses valid points.

Effective argumentative essays contain five key components: a claim, reasons, evidence, a counterclaim, and a rebuttal.

Ask yourself questions and challenge your beliefs to construct a compelling argument.

1 Benedetti, Ginevra. "How Much Should I Spend on a Sofa? Price Up the Perfect Sofa to Last You a Lifetime." H omesandgardens. 2021.

2 American Association of Feline Practitioners. "2017 Declawing Statement." C atvets. 2017.

Frequently Asked Questions about Argumentative Essay

--> what is an argumentative essay.

An argumentative essay relies on evidence and logic to prove that a viewpoint is valid or invalid or to convince an audience to take action.  

--> What are the five parts of an argumentative essay?

The five parts of an argumentative essay are its claim, reasons, evidence, counterclaim, and rebuttal.

--> What is an example of an argumentative essay?

An example of an argumentative essay is "The Pleasure Principle" by Phillip Larkin

--> What are some topic ideas for an argumentative essay?

An argumentative essay can be written about any polarized subject, such as:

• Should we look at old media through the eyes of when it was created?

--> How do you format an argumentative essay?

An argumentative essay can be structured into three formats:

• Aristotelian

Final Argumentative Essay Quiz

Argumentative essay quiz - teste dein wissen.

According to Aristotle, which of the following is NOT a way to present an argument

Show answer

Show question

Which other type of argument would be most closely related to logos?

Which of the following is not a necessary component of a good argument?

There is only one possible answer or solution

How many steps are there in the basic structure of an argument?

How is the Rogerian method of argument different from the others?

The Rogerian method of argument does not try to convince the audience of their stance, and instead looks for common ground.

What is the foundation of the argument when writing an essay?

Thesis statement

Of the following, which is not  a recommended strategy for removing bias from an argument?

Only talk about unimportant things

What is required to find support for an argument?

Research on the subject

Which step to the basic argument structure is missing?

• Confirmation

Which method of argument is best used to show the facts of an argument?

In a Toulmin-style argument, what is necessary to support the claim?

Grounds (or evidence)

Which component of an Artistotelian argument appeals to the emotions of the audience?

What is the definition of an argument?

An argument is a reason for either supporting or challenging a topic under discussion.

What is missing if an argument is based solely on someone's opinion?

What is the goal of the Rogerian method of argument?

To find common ground, or consensus on the subject

What is an emotional argument?

An emotional argument is a means by which an audience might be persuaded of a particular argument by appealing to commonly held emotions.

How could you avoid an emotional argument?

Avoid emotional arguments by focusing on evidence and concrete details of the argument.

Which is an example of a negative emotion?

Which of the following is most closely related to emotional arguments?

True or false, it is possible to use a combination of ethos, logos and pathos in one single argument.

Which of the following is NOT a cognitive faculty?

What does an emotional argument add to an argumentative essay?

It makes the topic feel more personal to the audience

Why might you want to avoid emotional arguments?

Avoid emotional appeals in instances where the audience might have extremely opposing views and/ or emotional exhaustion

What are the two things to  do/ consider before crafting your emotional argument?

• Identify your intended audience
• Understand commonly held emotions on the topic

Which emotional appeal technique uses words and phrases that appeal to the five senses of your audience?

Vivid details and imagery

What should you do if you cannot identify an opportunity for an emotional argument in your essay?

Prewriting exercises

Which prewriting exercise involves mapping out your argument, either with word trees or word association?

Brainstorming

Which philosopher outlined the three methods of persuasion?

Finish the sentence: Emotional arguments are an effective tool for writing ________ essays.

Argumentative

Which of the following focuses most on the reader?

What is an Argumentative Essay? 

An Argumentative essay relies on evidence and logic to prove that a viewpoint is valid or invalid or to convince an audience to take action. 

How are an argumentative and persuasive essay different? 

An argumentative and persuasive essay are different because, in addition to using logic and evidence, a persuasive essay uses emotion to sway its audience. 

What are the five parts of an argumentative essay?

All of the above

True or False: You should always use words like "all" or "everyone" to show the audience you have a strong argument.

False: Using certainties in your argument is an opportunity for the other side to discredit your reasoning. 

What should you do if the other side has valid points?

If there are valid points to the opposing view, acknowledge (qualify) them using concessions.

What are the three argumentative essay formats?

True or False: If most people agree with something, it's a valid argument.

False: Relying on popularity to prove validity is a logical fallacy known as the Bandwagon Fallacy.  

True or False: You should allow evidence to disprove the other side rather than sarcasm or insults.

True: Using an unprofessional tone when disproving a different viewpoint damages your credibility. 

What is it called when someone twists your argument into a simplified version of itself?

A Strawman Fallacy twists an argument into a simplified version of itself.

How does asking yourself questions and questioning your beliefs help?

Asking yourself questions and questioning your beliefs helps you write a compelling claim. 

What is an ethical argument?

An argument based on ethics that evaluates whether an idea is morally right or wrong

What are ethics?

Moral principles that guide a person's behavior and beliefs

What are ethical principles?

Rules which govern behavior and decision-making

What are two types of ethical arguments?

Ethical arguments based on principles and ethical arguments based on consequences

Which of the following is NOT an ethical argument based on principles?

Physician-assisted suicide is right because it leads to the following positive consequences: individuals have more control over end-of-life decisions and physicians can provide care better aligned with the patient’s quality of life.

Which of the following is an argument based on principles?

Physician-assisted suicide is wrong because it violates Kant’s moral theory about human life.

Which of the following is NOT used to make ethical arguments from principles?

Evaluating consequences

What is the correct reason an ethical argument based on consequences would be effective for a diverse audience?

An ethical argument based on consequences will not alienate audience members who have different moral beliefs.

An ethical argument based on principles would be most effective to which type of audience?

An ethical argument based on principles will be most effective to audience members who share similar moral beliefs.

Which of the following statements is NOT written as an ethical argument?  

Public health officials should study the effects of gun control regulations to gain data on how these regulations impact public health.

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Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Argumentative Essays

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

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Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

The Modes of Discourse—Exposition, Description, Narration, Argumentation (EDNA)—are common paper assignments you may encounter in your writing classes. Although these genres have been criticized by some composition scholars, the Purdue OWL recognizes the wide spread use of these approaches and students’ need to understand and produce them.

What is an argumentative essay?

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.

Please note : Some confusion may occur between the argumentative essay and the expository essay. These two genres are similar, but the argumentative essay differs from the expository essay in the amount of pre-writing (invention) and research involved. The argumentative essay is commonly assigned as a capstone or final project in first year writing or advanced composition courses and involves lengthy, detailed research. Expository essays involve less research and are shorter in length. Expository essays are often used for in-class writing exercises or tests, such as the GED or GRE.

Argumentative essay assignments generally call for extensive research of literature or previously published material. Argumentative assignments may also require empirical research where the student collects data through interviews, surveys, observations, or experiments. Detailed research allows the student to learn about the topic and to understand different points of view regarding the topic so that she/he may choose a position and support it with the evidence collected during research. Regardless of the amount or type of research involved, argumentative essays must establish a clear thesis and follow sound reasoning.

The structure of the argumentative essay is held together by the following.

• A clear, concise, and defined thesis statement that occurs in the first paragraph of the essay.

In the first paragraph of an argument essay, students should set the context by reviewing the topic in a general way. Next the author should explain why the topic is important ( exigence ) or why readers should care about the issue. Lastly, students should present the thesis statement. It is essential that this thesis statement be appropriately narrowed to follow the guidelines set forth in the assignment. If the student does not master this portion of the essay, it will be quite difficult to compose an effective or persuasive essay.

• Clear and logical transitions between the introduction, body, and conclusion.

Transitions 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.

• Body paragraphs that include evidential support.

Each paragraph should be limited to the discussion of one general idea. This will allow for clarity and direction throughout the essay. In addition, such conciseness creates an ease of readability for one’s audience. It is important to note that each paragraph in the body of the essay must have some logical connection to the thesis statement in the opening paragraph. Some paragraphs will directly support the thesis statement with evidence collected during research. It is also important to explain how and why the evidence supports the thesis ( warrant ).

However, argumentative essays should also consider and explain differing points of view regarding the topic. Depending on the length of the assignment, students should dedicate one or two paragraphs of an argumentative essay to discussing conflicting opinions on the topic. Rather than explaining how these differing opinions are wrong outright, students should note how opinions that do not align with their thesis might not be well informed or how they might be out of date.

• Evidential support (whether factual, logical, statistical, or anecdotal).

The argumentative essay requires well-researched, accurate, detailed, and current information to support the thesis statement and consider other points of view. Some factual, logical, statistical, or anecdotal evidence should support the thesis. However, students must consider multiple points of view when collecting evidence. As noted in the paragraph above, a successful and well-rounded argumentative essay will also discuss opinions not aligning with the thesis. It is unethical to exclude evidence that may not support the thesis. It is not the student’s job to point out how other positions are wrong outright, but rather to explain how other positions may not be well informed or up to date on the topic.

• A conclusion that does not simply restate the thesis, but readdresses it in light of the evidence provided.

It is at this point of the essay that students may begin to struggle. 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, synthesize the information presented in the body of the essay. Restate why the topic is important, review the main points, and review your thesis. You may also want to include a short discussion of more research that should be completed in light of your work.

A complete argument

Perhaps it is helpful to think of an essay in terms of a conversation or debate with a classmate. If I were to discuss the cause of World War II and its current effect on those who lived through the tumultuous time, there would be a beginning, middle, and end to the conversation. In fact, if I were to end the argument in the middle of my second point, questions would arise concerning the current effects on those who lived through the conflict. Therefore, the argumentative essay must be complete, and logically so, leaving no doubt as to its intent or argument.

The five-paragraph essay

A common method for writing an argumentative essay is the five-paragraph approach. This is, however, by no means the only formula for writing such essays. If it sounds straightforward, that is because it is; in fact, the method consists of (a) an introductory paragraph (b) three evidentiary body paragraphs that may include discussion of opposing views and (c) a conclusion.

Longer argumentative essays

Complex issues and detailed research call for complex and detailed essays. Argumentative essays discussing a number of research sources or empirical research will most certainly be longer than five paragraphs. Authors may have to discuss the context surrounding the topic, sources of information and their credibility, as well as a number of different opinions on the issue before concluding the essay. Many of these factors will be determined by the assignment.

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