Argumentative Essay Outline: Format of An Argumentative Essay
Argumentative
Essay Outline: Format of An Argumentative Essay
An
argumentative essay is a genre of writing that requires students to investigate
a topic, collect information on a point on the different points of views about
the issue, choose a point of view, evaluate the evidence on the chosen point of
view, and establish a position on the topic in a clear and concise manner.
Below
is the basic structure of an argumentative essay:
1. Introduction
o
The introduction should be 1-2
paragraphs.
o
PURPOSE: To
set up and state one’s claim using a
clear and concise thesis statement
o
An introduction should have:
§
An
interesting introductory paragraph to draw your readers in.
§
Background information on the topic to help readers understand the claim.
o
Some things to keep in mind when writing
the introduction:
§
If
you’re arguing about a literary work, state the name of the author and the title
of the work.
§
If
you’re arguing about an issue or
theory – provide a brief explanation or your of issue/theory.
§
If
you’re arguing about a film, mention the title of the film, state who the director is, and the year the film was released
§
STATE
your claim at the end of your
introductory paragraph using a clear
and a concise thesis statement.
2.
Background Paragraph
o
Background information should not be
more than 2 paragraphs, and can even be emitted and the information integrated
in the introduction.
o
PURPOSE: Lays
the foundation for proving your argument.
o
The background information section will
often include:
§
A summary of works being discussed
§
Definition
of key terms
§
Explanation
of key theories
3.
Supporting Paragraphs #1, #2, #3, #4 etc.
o
PURPOSE:To
prove your argument. Each supporting claim will be contained within a single
paragraph, but can be longer.
o
Each
sentence should contain:
a.
A topic Sentence: this
is the main claim of the paragraph. It can be a fact, detail, or example that
will help your readers better understand your claim/paper topic
b.
Explain Topic Sentence: Provide
more information to explain your topic sentence..
c.
Introduce Evidence: Introduce
your evidence either in a few words. You should use studies and provide
citations and references.
d.
State Evidence: What
supporting evidence (reasons, examples, facts, statistics, and/or quotations)
can you include to prove/support/explain your
topic sentence? Your evidence should
be supported by up to date references and citations
e.
Explain Evidence: tell
the readers how to read or interpret the evidence you are providing. Remember the point of an argumentative essay
is to argue a position. You should, therefore
state how the evidence proves the point you are trying to make. This section is often an opinion
based and is 1-3 sentences.
f.
Concluding Sentence: End
your paragraph with a concluding sentence that reasserts how the topic sentence
of this paragraph helps up better understand
and/or prove your paper’s overall claim.
4.
Counterargument Paragraph
o
PURPOSE: To
state opposing points of view. You should anticipate your reader’s objections
and address them in order to make yourself sound more objective and reasonable.
o
The counter-argument is usually 1-2
paragraphs.
o
What
to do: consider the possible arguments that your readers
may pose against your argument
and/or some aspect of your reasoning? Insert one or more of those arguments here and refute them.
o
End paragraph with a concluding sentence
that reasserts your paper’s claim as a whole.
5.
Conclusion Part 1: Sum Up Your Paper
PURPOSE:
o
Remind readers of your argument and
supporting evidence
o
Restates your paper’s overall claim and
supporting evidence
o
Illustrates to your instructor that you
have thought critically and analytically about the issue you are writing about.
Some things to consider when
writing a conclusion:
o
Your conclusion should not simply
restate your intro paragraph. Show critical thinking instead of simply
restating what you have already written in the paper.
o
Your conclusion should tell your readers
why they should care about your paper. What is the significance of your claim?
Why is it important to you as the
writer or to me as the reader? What information should the reader from the paper?
o
Your
conclusion should help the reader to get a more complex understanding of the
subject of your paper. By the end of your essay, you
should have worked through your ideas enough so that your reader understands
what you have argued and is ready to hear the larger point (i.e. the "so
what") you want to make about
your topic.
o
Your conclusion should serve as the
climax of your paper. So, save your strongest analytical points for the end of
your essay, and use them to drive
your conclusion
o
Make a strong conclusion to ensure your
readers to not get the impression that your argument was vague or unsure.
o
Do not introduce new information or
quotations in your conclusions, as long as the new points grow from your
argument. Avoid making new claims that need a lot of additional support.