College professors consider many aspects while grading papers completed by their students. They evaluate student’s argumentation strength, quality, origins of cited evidence, and paper formatting. But most importantly, they look at the structure. Excellent paper structure makes it easier for readers to follow the writer’s ideas and significantly contributes to strong reasoning. The argumentative essay structure has great importance because such an essay aims to convince readers to take a particular position regarding a controversial topic. As any other reader, your tutors will highly appreciate papers with an excellent structure. So, let’s not waste time and take a look at several easy tips that will make your argumentative essay structure better and your grades higher!
Begin with an Outline
No matter how little time you have, any argumentative essay structure example would tell you to consider writing an outline. Unless you are a professional writer who has been completing essays for the last 20 years, create an argumentative essay outline before you start writing. Although it may seem that outlines steal valuable minutes, they save time because they make writing easier. Creating a draft before completing a project ensures its perfect structure. While making outlines, students write out their future essay structure point-by-point. Indeed, good outlines specify what students will present in an introduction, body of their papers, and conclusion in a clear and brief manner. We can compare them with skeletons in a human body because they have a similar function: the structure highlighted in outlines allows achieving purposes that students set while writing.
Point-By-Point Structure for an Argumentative Essay
Students should think about their essay structure in the outline writing stage. This applies to every essay kind, and it is valid for argumentative essays. To clarify how to structure an argumentative essay, let’s consider major elements this essay should have to persuade readers to agree with an author’s position. The same as other academic papers, argumentative essays should have an introduction, body, and conclusion. Discover these elements in detail, and you’ll understand where exactly they should appear in your article and in what way your argumentative paragraph structure should be completed.
An argumentative essay introduction should a) present a controversial issue in an attention-grabbing manner, b) make readers feel like this controversy matters to them, c) explain your position regarding the issue, and d) clarify how exactly you’ll support this position by arguments in the main body. These four functions determine the need for four specific elements that should be present in an introductory paragraph: hook, background, thesis, and outline.
- Hook. Good essays begin with a sentence targeted at grabbing readers’ attention and illustrating the importance of a discussed topic. Bald facts or statistics can serve as good hooks in argumentative essays. For instance, if I wrote an argumentative essay on abortion, I would begin with the following hook: “Although more than 45 thousand women annually do abortion in Australia, this procedure remains illegal in Wales.”
- Brief background information. Upon grabbing attention, students should help readers better orient themselves in the topic. It is crucial to explain the controversy of the discussed issue. For instance, it is good when one presents opposing views. In an abortion case, you may point out that supporters perceive it as a medical procedure, while opponents consider it murder. Also, one can mention this is a legal controversy and a moral issue that affects every member of society.
- Thesis statement. After briefly explaining the controversy, present your position. Readers should easily understand whether you agree with supporters or opponents in a discussion. For example, in an abortion essay, students may use the following thesis: “Wales should legalize abortion because the illegitimate status of this procedure fails to prevent women from doing it, but it puts their health under threat.”
- Outline. Finally, upon presenting a position, clarify the structure of your argument. You should give your readers a preview of points that will be discussed in the body section in the same order they’ll be presented in your essay.
When outlining the main body, remember that it should comprise about 80% of your total word count. Use this information and decide on the exact number of paragraphs you’ll include. Mind that at least one paragraph should be devoted to the discussion and refutation of an opposite perspective, which is known as a counterargument. Whether you support your position or discuss a counterargument, each paragraph should start with a topic sentence, contain supporting evidence, bring additional explanation, and end with a concluding sentence.
- Topic sentence. The first sentence should introduce a major point in each body paragraph, linking it back to your thesis. For instance, in our hypothetical paper related to abortion, the first paragraph can start with the following topic sentence: “New Wales authorities use illegal status of abortion as a means aimed at preventing women from doing this procedure.”
- Evidence. Every paragraph should contain proof. You can quote, paraphrase, or summarize information from credible sources. Mind that statistics, authoritative opinions, or results of studies often serve as convincing evidence.
- Explanation. It is important to elaborate an argument by developing points discussed in a paragraph.
- Concluding sentence. Although concluding sentences are optional, a brief summary of the points discussed in a paragraph, along with the transition to the next point, makes your argument stronger.
When discussing counterarguments, consider refuting them effectively. You should list arguments that opponents often bring and explain why they are incorrect from your point of view. A successful counterargument paragraph will help you persuade your readers. So it’s worth including it as part of an argumentative essay structure.
In a finalizing paragraph, students should summarize the main points and lay out their thesis statements. Make sure your conclusion is a convincing summary of the arguments presented in your essay. While proving the validity of your argument, don’t introduce any new information.
Get an Excellent Argumentative Essay Written by an Expert
Students who take their time to create an outline and develop a clear argumentative essay structure eventually end up with significant advantages compared to those who disregard these steps in the essay writing process. Well-thought-out arguments are more convincing, and they add clarity to your essay. The ideas presented in a well-structured paper are challenging to refute. Therefore, readers are less likely to oppose your arguments.
Although we’ve provided recommendations students can use to improve their essay structures, professional assistance is a good idea to get a perfect-quality paper. On our platform, you can get essays with a great structure without any effort. We’ve spent much time attracting the best specialists experienced in academic writing. Do not hesitate to clarify your tutor’s requirements and get an original essay by the specified deadline.