Argumentative Essay Structure and Techniques
This page provides a comprehensive overview of how to write an argumentative essay, detailing its structure and offering useful phrases and linking words to enhance the essay's coherence and persuasiveness.
The structure of an argumentative essay is divided into three main parts:
-
Introduction: This section aims to attract the reader's attention through techniques such as interesting facts, personal anecdotes, or quotations. It also introduces the topic and presents the problem or issue to be discussed.
-
Main Body: Here, arguments are presented with topic sentences, explanations, and supporting evidence or examples. The guide suggests using rhetorical devices like wordplay, metaphors, and irony to make arguments more compelling.
-
Conclusion: This final section summarizes the main points, provides an outlook on further consequences, restates the writer's opinion, and may include an appeal to the reader.
Highlight: The guide emphasizes the importance of organizing arguments strategically, suggesting to place the weakest argument first and the strongest argument last for maximum impact.
The page also provides an extensive list of linking words categorized by their functions, which is crucial for creating a cohesive and well-structured argumentative essay. These categories include:
- Sequences e.g.,firstly,secondly,lastly
- Comparison e.g.,similarly,justas,comparedto
- Reason e.g.,because,dueto,since
- Addition e.g.,furthermore,inaddition,especially
- Emphasis e.g.,obviously,indeed,particularly
- Result e.g.,therefore,asaconsequence,hence
- Contrast e.g.,however,despite,although
- Example e.g.,forinstance,suchas,including
Example: To introduce your essay, you might start with a phrase like "Recently there was..." or "Many people think/claim that..." to set the context for your argument.
Vocabulary: "Wordplay" refers to the clever or witty use of words, often involving puns or double meanings, which can make your arguments more engaging and memorable.
The guide also provides useful phrases for introducing and concluding an argumentative essay, such as:
- "In the following, I will discuss/comment on..."
- "All in all, it can be concluded that..."
- "Therefore, future discussions might also think about..."
These phrases help to structure the essay and guide the reader through your argument, which is essential for writing an effective argumentative essay.
