The document provides guidance on writing an argumentative essay. It explains that an argumentative essay requires research on a topic to collect and evaluate evidence to establish a position. It differs from an expository essay in requiring more research and depth. An argumentative essay must consider different perspectives on an issue and draw a conclusion supported by evidence. It should have an introduction outlining the topic and thesis, body paragraphs developing the arguments for and against the topic, and a conclusion restating the thesis and summarizing the arguments. Before writing, students should brainstorm, identify topics and decide their position to fully support.

1. Argumentative Essay
--- sirrhoyetheone

2. The argumentative essay is...
A kind 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.

3. Please note...
Some confusion may occur between the
argumentative essay and expository
essay. These two kinds are similar, but
argumentative essay differs from the
expository essay in the amount of pre-
writing and research involved. The
argumentative essay is lengthy, detailed
research. Expository essays involve less
research and are shorter in length.

4. Argumentative...
 Require 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, so that s/he may
choose a position and support it with
evidence collected during research.

5. Argumentative...
 Is required to consider the two different and
opposite aspects of the same topic – the
positive and the negative – and then draw a
conclusion.
 The topic given to you will have arguments
„for and against‟ it. It is up to you to dwell on
both and arrive at a convincing conclusion.
 Write each argument in about two or three
paragraphs. Thus, you should have a total of
five to six paragraphs.

6. Before writing:
 Brainstorm ideas on the subject.
 Identify the main topics.
 Use these topics as headings for organising
your notes.
 Decide which side you are on i.e. which
arguments are most convincing. Make sure
you choose the side that you can fully support.
 Plan and write an outline for your essay noting
down the information you will include in each
paragraph.

7. Introductory paragraph...
Your introduction should:
 Introduce the topic with a general
statement.
 State why it is important.
 State there is a difference of opinion
about this topic.
 Thesis statement must state what YOUR
claim is and can include the “parts” of
the argument you are going to state.

8. Body...
 This stage is really important --- it is
where you plan the structure of the
essay.

9. Concluding paragraph...
Your conclusion should:
 Restate the main claim.
 Present one or two general sentences
which accurately summarise your
arguments which support the main
premise.
 Provide a general warning of the consequences
of not following the premise that you put forward
and/or a general statement of how the
community will benefit from following that
premise.