For an argument essay to be effective, you must organize your ideas, provide solid
supporting evidence, and present the information clearly.
Let’s take a look at how that’s done
Writing the Introduction
The introduction to an argument essay has three parts.
1. The lead
2. Introduce the Issue
3. State your claim
Writing the Introduction: Lead
Lead
The lead “hooks” readers and encourages them to keep reading.
It loosely introduces the issue.
-- It does NOT mention the claim.
Writing the Introduction: Lead
Quote Surprising Statistic Fact
A quote from a famous person or
Ex: Experts say that during the
an expert.
summer, students lose
approximately 22 percent of what
they learned during the school year
Ex: President Obama
once said, “During the
summer, students are
losing a lot of what
they learn. A longer
school year makes
sense.
Writing the Introduction: Lead
Question Anecdote
A brief story
Ex: Are most Americans Ex: There was a time when summer
satisfied that compared vacation meant endless lazy days,
to their peers in Europe sitting on the porch, and watching
and Asia, American the bees pollinate the flowers.
students score lower
on achievement test?
Writing the Introduction: Issue
Introduce the Issue
Explain the issue and any controversy surrounding the argument. Give background
information.
-- Do NOT state your position here!
Ex: Much to the public’s dismay, summer
vacations are in jeopardy in some areas. In
many school districts, administrators are
pushing foreword with a movement to
extend the school year.
Writing the Introduction: The Claim
State your claim
This is the thesis statement.
It is a promise to the reader that the essay will address the argument and prove the claim.
-- It may help to use one of the following key words to form the thesis: reasons /
benefits/ advantages/ disadvantages
Ex: There are definite advantages associated
with switching to a year-round schedule.
Writing the Body Paragraphs
Body paragraphs 1 &2 support the thesis statement / claim.
Explain the reasons people should consider your position on the argument.
Writing the Body Paragraphs 1&2
Topic Sentence
Start with a topic sentence that introduces a REASON people would be
convinced by the argument.
Ex: If students attend
school year-round, they will
improve academically and
avoid “summer slide.”
Writing the Body Paragraphs 1&2
Evidence
Include specific evidence to support the topic sentence. Use logic, data, and facts.
Ex: For example, a district
in Arizona saw reading
scores go up more than
50% after extending the
school year by 20 days.
Writing the Body Paragraphs 1&2
Explain with a BRIDGE
Follow each piece of evidence with an explanation about how the evidence
connects to and supports the claim.
Ex: This significant increase
proves that students
benefit by spending more
time in school.
Writing the Body Paragraphs 1&2
Concluding Sentence
Conclude the paragraph by rephrasing the topic sentence.
Ex: It is possible to improve
test scores by requiring
more days in school.
Body Paragraph 3: Counterargument
The counterargument proves that you have fully researched the topic. It gives you a
chance to point out why your argument is better.
Transition words
and phrases used
to introduce the
counterargument.
Body Paragraph 3: Turn-Back
The turn-back is a return to the original argument.
Be sure to refute the opposing claim.
Transition
words and
phrases used to
introduce the
turn-back
Body Paragraph 3: Counterargument &Turn-Back
Example
Writing the Concluding Paragraph
The conclusion to an argument essay has three parts.
1. Thesis Statement
2. Review Key Points
3. Leave the reader thinking
Writing the Concluding Paragraph
Thesis Statement
Paraphrase the thesis statement
Ex: Students with a year-round school schedule have an advantage over
their peers who follow a ten month schedule.
Writing the Concluding Paragraph
Review Key Points
Remind the reader of key supporting details.
Ex: A year-round schedule will prevent students from losing the hard
earned knowledge gained during the school year..
Writing the Concluding Paragraph
Leave the reader thinking
Finally, provide a benefit that will result from complying with (going along
with) the argument, or provide a call to action to move the audience into
wanting to make a change.
Ex: The nation’s future depends upon having intelligent citizens. Schools
must be year-round in order to graduate such citizens.
