Secret Methods of Writing an Argumentative Essay

Most students note that analytical essays take too much time and effort. It’s one of the most challenging tasks. Along with that, if you write a blueprint of the structure, and figure out in what order it’s better to sort your claims, such a process will become much simpler. We suggest that you don’t like to stare at the blank Word page for hours, so you can check various online sources devoted to argumentative writings and get some creative ideas. However, many sources of such a kind provide you with complicated advices which are hard to follow. This is a reason why we decided to describe a secret method that can improve your writing with no extra effort. Generally, it is based on analogies.

Analogies help you understand the more general meaning of your entire work. Here is an example of a good analogy: your readers are a cat who wants you to feed it with tasty and fresh information. Now imagine it and get some cat food with our help.

Introduction

Most writers agree that the introduction is extremely important. That’s not a surprise because this is the first thing that your readers see, and the impression from the introduction affects their impression of the entire paper. To feed your cat with the best food, pay your attention to the all details, especially to the hook. It is the first sentence of your essay, and that’s what can help you get some fish for your cat. There are several types of hooks, but they have one thing in common – good hooks grab your readers’ attention and motivate them to keep reading. Let’s take a look at the most common hook types:

  • Quotes;
  • Questions;
  • Analogies;
  • Philosophical statements;
  • Facts;
  • Anecdotes;
  • Stories from the first person.

Choose any one of these types, and just make sure that it fits your topic and your writing style.

Once you hooked your readers, you must provide them with the background information on your subject, to make sure that your audience understands the context of your paper and is familiar with all the specific details. One of the most common mistakes is assuming that your readers know as much about your topic as you do. Don’t provide them with detailed and sophisticated data in the introduction section, just write a necessarily brief summary, and go further. You also have to explain why your topic is important, and how your paper may help others who are interested in this subject.

Usually, introductions end with a thesis statement – it’s a backbone of your paper, all your arguments and claims must be directly related to this idea. Obviously, it’s not really easy to write a good thesis statement, but if you take into account our advice, you won’t feel any troubles with it. Our advice is simple – don’t make your thesis too broad. The broader your thesis statement, the more information you need to prove and support it. Nobody wants to read a huge text which is basically about nothing in particular. Introducing your key statement, you can also give a brief description of arguments that you’re going to use, to help your readers understand why you choose this point of view. Sometimes, a thesis statement may be even longer than one sentence. Just make sure that it expresses your point clearly, and it’s not too long.

Build Your Argumentation

A practice of using three arguments to support your point is quite old and common, because it really works. If you have three paragraphs, each one of which provides readers with a strong argument described in details, your point will look persuasive and strong. This is exactly what you need. At the same time, don’t forget that you shouldn’t be focused only on your point. We suggest mentioning a few strongest counterarguments, to let your readers understand why an opposite point is wrong. Here is an effective method: describe advantages and disadvantages of the idea. Introduce an opposite point, and rewrite your thesis statement right after that.

Another extremely important thing is that if you write something, it must be supported by good evidence. Never count on your readers to just believe you. Prepare for the critical perception, and make all that you can to overcome it. Your evidence must be informative, credible, and relevant. To get enough facts, we suggest preparing for writing and collecting as much information as possible. Along with this, avoid common mistakes that can destroy your paper:

  • Making up facts – this is probably the worst thing you can do. Don’t even try to fool your audience. All of your readers and instructors can check any fact any time they want, so don’t fail because of the lie.
  • Being highly emotional. Emotions are good for narrative essays, but not for argumentative essays. Rely on facts only, and don’t be emotional.

We also suggest moving from one thought to another through transitional phrases. Such an approach will allow your readers to follow your line of thoughts naturally, without missing any logical details. Don’t be afraid to remind them your thesis statement a couple times, it helps stay focused on general ideas of your paper and on thoughts written in any paragraph in particular.

Conclusion

Once you provided your readers with all necessary information, you have to push them to conclusions. All information must be systematized, so that your audience could get your point clear and have something to think about, after reading. Essays that motivate readers to think are always successful, so make sure that your conclusion section is really good, and your entire paper makes a strong impression. To do it well, follow three simple rules:

  • Repeat your thesis once again. It will help you explain why your claims are really important.
  • Explain what will happen if people don’t take your side regarding this issue. This is a really good thing in case you’re writing about a controversial issue that is related to the society, politics, health, environment, and so on.
  • Summarize your arguments and explain how they prove your point. Your essay must be persuasive, and all arguments must be tied to your general idea.

If you follow our simple advice and do everything right, your essay will get highest grades. Don’t be afraid of such a kind of writing task, because everyone is able to cope with it. All you need is practice and a proper writing method.

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