Cadi Ayyad University

Faculty of Letters & Humanities

Department of English Studies
Composition II

Pr. Zahra EL AOURI

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How to write an argumentative essay
• An argumentative essay is an essay in which you agree
or disagree with an issue, using reasons to support
your opinion.

• Your goal is to convince your reader that your opinion

is right.

• Argumentation is a popular kind of essay question

because it forces you to think on your own: you have to
take a stand on an issue, support your stand with solid
reasons, and support your reasons with solid evidence.
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How to write an argumentative essay
(cont.)
• What is unique about an argumentative essay is that you
do not just give reasons to support your point of view.

• You must also discuss the other side’s reasons and then
rebut them. (Rebut means to point out problems with the
other side's reasons to prove that they are not good
reasons.)

• We do this because we want readers to know that we have

considered all sides of the issue. When we show that we
are reasonable and open-minded, readers are more likely
to listen to our point of view.

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 1. Organization of an argumentative
essay
• There are several ways to organize an argumentative
essay. You can use a block pattern or a point-by-point
pattern.

• There are many variations on these two patterns.

Which pattern you use will depend on your topic. With
some topics, one pattern works better than others. The
important thing is to present your side and rebut the
other side in a logical and organized way.

• The outlines in the following chart show these two

possible patterns.

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 Block pattern
I. Introduction:
Explanation of the issue, including:
- A summary of the other side’s
arguments
- Thesis statement
II. Body:
Block 1
[Link] of the other side's arguments
B. Rebuttal to the first argument
[Link] to the second argument
[Link] to the third argument
Block 2
E. Your first argument
F. Your second argument
G. Your third argument
III. Conclusion:
May include a summary of your point of
view

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 Point-by-point pattern
I. Introduction:
Explanation of the issue, including:
- A summary of the other side's arguments
- Thesis statement
II. Body:
A. Statement of the other side's first
argument and rebuttal with your
own counterargument
B. Statement of the other side's second
argument and rebuttal with your own
counterargument
C. Statement of the other side's third
argument and rebuttal with your own
counterargument
III. Conclusion:
May include a summary of your point of
view

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 2. Convincing the reader in
argumentation
• Your aim is to convince your readers that your
viewpoint is the most valid.

• To do this, your essay needs to be balanced; it

must include an opposing viewpoint or
counterargument.

• Even though you are arguing one side of an issue

(either for or against), you must think about what
someone on the other side of the issue would
argue.
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 2. Convincing the reader in
argumentation (cont.)

• As soon as you give your opponents’ point of

view, you must offer a refutation of it.

• This means that you refute the other point of

view, or show how it is wrong.

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 3. Counterargument and refutation
• The key point to convincing the reader that
your viewpoint is valid is to support it in every
paragraph.

• Your counterargument goes against your

thesis statement although this is not a
problem in the first paragraphs of your essay.

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 3. Counterargument and refutation
(cont.)

• Consequently, every counterargument that

you include in your essay needs a refutation.

• A refutation is a response to the

counterargument that disproves it.

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 4. Transitions in an argumentative
essay
• You must remember to order your details
appropriately and help the reader follow the
order by including transitional words and
phrases. These words and phrases will appear
not only at the beginning of each new
paragraph, but also within the paragraph,
between ideas and before source information.

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 Illustration Contrast Addition
Thus, On the contrary, And, in the second
for example, contrarily, in addition place,
for instance, notwithstanding, to, next,
namely, but, furthermore likewise,
to illustrate, however, moreover, similarly,
in other words, nevertheless, besides, in fact,
in particular, in spite of, then, as a result,
specifically, in contrast, too, also, consequently
such as yet, both-and, in the
on one hand, another, same way,
on the other equally for example,
hand, important, for instance,
rather, or, nor, first, second, however,
conversely, etc., thus,
at the same again, therefore,
time, further, otherwise
while this may be last, finally, According to
true not only-but
although also,
as well as,

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 Examples Consequenc Summar Suggestion
e or result y
For So that, Therefore, For this purpose,
example, with the finally, to this end,
for instance, result that, conseque with this in mind,
to illustrate, thus, ntly, with this purpose
thus, consequently thus, in mind,
in other , in short, therefore
words, hence, in
as an accordingly, conclusio
illustration, for this n,
in reason, in brief,
particular therefore, so, as a
because, result,
since, according
due to, ly.
as a result,
in other
words,
then
Most
convincingly,
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