Argumentative Essay Structure and Purpose

Argumentative Essay

• An argumentative essay presents a thesis statement in the introduction, supports it with evidence in the body, and concludes with a resolution for the reader. It presents ideas in a logical and convincing manner.
• According to Toulmin's model, an argument comprises claims (opinions/thesis) and grounds (reasons/evidence). Five types of evidence include real-life examples, statistics, expert opinions, analogies, and hypothetical situations.
• A good argument essay includes a clear, arguable thesis, avoiding broad generalizations.
• The introduction should grab the reader's attention, introduce the issue, and state the thesis.

Essay Structure

• The body should contain well-developed paragraphs with topic sentences that provide reasons and evidence to support the thesis.
• Each paragraph should have supporting evidence, explanations of that evidence, and linking sentences.

Purpose of Argumentative Essay

• Persuade the reader to accept or consider an opinion on a controversial issue.

Audience Consideration

• Understand the audience to adjust tone and word choice.
• Know their prior knowledge of the topic.

Thesis/Claim

• A writer's opinion or position on an issue.

Reasoning

• Strong reasons supported by evidence. Supporting paragraphs typically follow this structure: a reason (topic sentence), evidence/support of that reason, and an explanation.

Counterclaim

• Addresses opposing arguments; concede, refute, or clarify opposing arguments.

Refutation

• Disproves opposing claims to strengthen the original argument.

Opposing View

• Anticipate arguments against the position. Ask "Who might disagree?"; "What reasons exist?"; and "What evidence supports the opposing view?"

Evidence

• Reasons should be supported by facts, quotes, and data.

Essay Tone

• Consider how tone affects persuasion; some tones include passionate, mocking, learned, indifferent, and others.

Informative Writing Techniques

• An informative essay educates a reader on a specific topic, utilizing three or more sources.
• The writing should be in third person and not begin with a thesis question.
• Assume the reader has no prior knowledge of the topic.
• Organize by starting with a hook (attention-grabber) sentence that introduces the main idea of the first source.
• Expand further with details from other sources.
• End with a concluding sentence that restates the thesis.

Literary Criticism

• Literary criticism involves the study, analysis, or interpretation of a literary work. Different approaches or schools of criticism offer different perspectives.
• Structuralist/Formalist criticism examines the form and structure of a text.
• Moralist criticism evaluates literature based on its moral message or ethical values.
• Marxist criticism studies literature from a class-conflict perspective.
• Feminist criticism analyzes gender roles and experiences in literature.
• Reader-response theory focuses on how the text affects the reader.
• New historicism places literary works within the broader context of historical periods.

Critique Writing

• A critique is a systematic analysis that evaluates the work's validity and worth.
• A critique also provides an argument about whether the work is valuable or worthwhile. A strong critique evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of the text.
• The following parts are key to the structure: introduction (thesis/premise); middle (summary of the text, development of arguments); and conclusion.