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Argumentative Essay Guide

Argumentative Essay Outline

Argumentative Essay Outline | Structure Your Essay In 5 Steps

Argumentative Essay Outline - Classic Pattern

A basic argumentative essay outline follows the same structure as any other type of essay . The difference lies in the content of the body paragraphs.

Unlike a persuasive essay , where the focus is on convincing the reader through emotional appeals, the argumentative essay presents the argument.

Some paragraphs introduce your own argument, while others state the opposing arguments and their refutations.

Here is a sample outline template you could follow for writing your essay:

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Steps to Write an Argumentative Essay Outline

Writing an argumentative essay outline involves organizing your ideas logically to present your argument effectively.

Here are the steps to create a complete outline, along with examples:

Step 1: Choose a Topic and Develop a Thesis Statement

The first step in writing an outline is selecting a clear, debatable topic that interests you and is relevant to your audience. Check out our argumentative essay topics blog for a wealth of ideas.

Once you have your topic, you need to develop a thesis statement . The thesis statement should clearly express your position on the topic and outline the main points you will use to support your argument.

Note to Remember: Consider the type of argument you are presenting—whether it's Classical, Rogerian, or Toulmin—when structuring your essay. Each type of argument has a specific structure and approach that can influence how you organize your essay.

Step 2: Structure Your Introduction

Outline these points for your essay introduction:

Hook : Open with an engaging statement or question to capture the reader’s interest.
Background Information: Give context to the topic.
Thesis Statement: State your main argument.

Step 3: Extract Key Points for Body Paragraphs

Each body paragraph should focus on one main idea that supports your thesis. Follow these instructions to create effective body paragraphs:

Topic Sentence: Begin with a clear topic sentence that states the main idea of the paragraph. This sentence should directly relate to one of the points mentioned in your thesis statement.
Evidence: Provide evidence to support your topic sentence. This can include statistics, research findings, expert opinions, or real-life examples.
Explanation: Explain how the evidence supports your topic sentence and ties back to your thesis. Clarify the significance of the evidence and how it strengthens your argument.
Transition: Use transition words in between paragraphs. This helps maintain the flow of your essay and prepares the reader for the next point.

Step 4: Gather Counterarguments and Rebuttals

Identify Counterarguments: Recognize potential objections to your thesis to understand the opposing viewpoint.
Research Counterarguments: Gather evidence and information that supports the opposing stance or critiques your argument.
Rebuttal Strategy: Develop responses that logically refute counterarguments using additional evidence or alternative perspectives.

Step 5: Outline Conclusion

Restate Thesis: Summarize your main argument.
Summarize Key Points: Briefly recap the main points discussed in the body paragraphs.
Call to Action or Final Thought: Encourage the reader to take action or ponder the implications of your argument.

Argumentative Essay Outline Examples

Argumentative Essay Outline Template

Argumentative Essay Outline Worksheet

Argumentative Essay Outline Fill In The Blank

Argumentative Essay Outline College

Argumentative Essay Outline High School

Argumentative Essay Outline Middle School

Argumentative Essay Outline Graphic Organizer

Need some sample essays to get a better idea? Give our blog on argumentative essay examples a read to find inspiration!

The Bottom Line! We've covered all the essential elements of structuring your argumentative essay. With this guide, you're now well-prepared to craft a compelling essay that effectively presents your viewpoint and supports your argument with evidence.

Remember the key components: the introduction that hooks your reader, a clear thesis statement, well-organized body paragraphs, counterarguments, and a strong conclusion. Don't forget to cite your sources properly to give credibility to your work.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 5 main parts of an argumentative essay.

An argumentative essay typically consists of five main parts:

Introduction.
Body Paragraphs.
Counterargument and Rebuttal.
Conclusion.
References

What is the structure of the argumentative essay?

The structure of an argumentative essay typically follows this pattern:

Hook + Background information or context + Thesis statement
Body Paragraphs:
Topic sentence + Evidence + Explanation + Transition
Counterargument and Rebuttal
Conclusion:
Restates the thesis statement + Summarizes the main point

What is the 5 paragraph format for an argumentative essay?

The 5-paragraph format for an argumentative essay consists of an introduction with a thesis statement, three body paragraphs each presenting a separate argument or piece of evidence, and a conclusion summarizing the main points and restating the thesis. It follows a structured approach to present a clear argument with supporting evidence within five paragraphs.

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Argumentative Essay Writing

Argumentative Essay Outline

Learn How to Write an Argumentative Essay Outline

10 min read

Published on: Mar 10, 2023

Last updated on: Jan 31, 2024

How to Write an Argumentative Essay Outline?

An argumentative essay outline is a plan through which the writer works and organizes the raw data. An outline provides a track to follow for your papers and essays.

The outline helps you stick to the critical things making sure that you did not miss important information in the content.

Outlining might confuse you if you have never developed one before. However, once you know how to create one, it will be a lot easier to draft a perfect argumentative essay.

An argumentative essay consists of several equally important parts. These sections individually state the topic, arguments, evidence and supporting statements, etc.

The significant parts of an argumentative essay outline are:

Introduction
Body Paragraphs
Conclusion

Creating each section systematically is a fundamental requirement of an outline. Learn how to make each part of the outline professionally in the following area.

Argumentative Essay Introduction

Just like any other academic writing, you need a foundation on which to build your essay. An introduction is the foundation of your essay.

A proper and perfect essay introduction will make your paper flawless and vice-versa.

An introduction of an argumentative essay includes a hook, background information, and a thesis statement.

A hook is an opening statement of the essayâs introduction. It serves the purpose of grabbing the readerâs attention toward the content.

A hook can be a quotation, anecdote, question, funny/sarcastic statement, fact, statistic, etc.

For example, the major cause of obesity in the United States is fast food.

Background Information

Here you present some background information about the topic. The background information should answer the following questions:

What is the issue you are going to talk about?
Who is your audience?
Where is the selected issue prevalent?
Why is the issue important to be discussed?
Thesis Statement

It is the last sentence of your introduction that is the focal point of your essay. It introduces the readers to the topicâs main argument. Then, it states the writerâs position and stands in the essay.

Support your thesis statement in the body paragraphs of an essay to persuade the audience.

Argumentative Essay Body Paragraphs

After the introductory paragraphs are written, the next part is the body of the argumentative essay.

This part of the essay is essential to be structured well as it contains all the claims and pieces of evidence.

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For essays like an argumentative essays, it is imperative to make your claim in writing. A claim, or the core argument, is the basis of your entire essay. If you want your essay to be right in quality, make sure that the claims made are strong.

You can support your claim with strong evidence.

The purpose of making a claim is to define the:

Support your request and the basic argument

In the main body, present your claim in the topic sentence . And let the audience know what the specific paragraph is about. However, also show your point of view.

Making a claim in an argumentative essay is not enough. Making people believe your stance is what the objective of the writer is.

For this purpose, you need to support your argument with evidence and supporting facts.

You have to clear your position as a writer by providing relevant stuff showing your claimsâ validity and accuracy.

The reality of your claim entirely depends on the credibility and reliability of the facts you provide.

There are five types of evidence that are used to prove the preliminary thesis statement:

Real-life examples
Authorities
Hypothetical situations
Include an Opponentâs Argument

While collecting information for your essay, students often ignore the opposing arguments.

When writing an argumentative essay, a writer shouldnât just talk about his claim and support it with evidence.

After providing evidence for your claim, identify and include opposing views and counter-arguments and debunk them.

There is always another side to the argument. Use evidence to disprove these opposing sides and arguments.

Argumentative Essay Conclusion

The last part of the writing process of the outline is the conclusion . Now that you have adequately structured the introduction and the body paragraphs, itâs time to conclude your essay.

The power of a conclusion is often underestimated. If the ending is vague, abrupt, and not good, your whole essay will be a waste.

The following things conclude an argumentative essay:

Restating your thesis statement.
Summarizing basic arguments.
Recommending a course of action to the readers.

Make sure that the length of the conclusion is the same as the introduction. Short and precise conclusions are effective.

In conclusion, a writer should never introduce new ideas and extra information.

A precise and direct conclusion will increase the quality of your essay to extremes.

For essays like these, personal knowledge is not enough. You always have to research the essay topic and subject chosen to make healthy and valid points. Gather facts and accurate information to make your essay effective and credible.

Types of Arguments

When it comes to constructing an argument for your essay, there are several types of arguments you can use. These include

Rogerian Argument

The Rogerian argument is based on the assumption that two sides of an issue can both be right.

This type of argument encourages the writer to look at both sides of the issue.

Rogerian Argumentative Essay Outline Template

A. Background Information â Provide the necessary background information to allow the reader to understand the topic being discussed.

B. Thesis Statement â Clearly state your opinion on the issue without being too biased or one-sided.

A. Presentation of Opposing Argument - Explain why someone might disagree with your opinion and present their side of the argument.

B. Refutation of Opposing Argument - Dismiss any potential counterargument to your opinion.

C. Presentation of Own Argument - Explain why you support your position and provide evidence to back it up.

D. Reiteration of Thesis Statement â Summarize your opinion and reiterate your main points.

A. Summary of Argument â Quickly summarize the key points from your argument.

B. Call to Action â Encourage the reader to take some form of action related to the issue.

Toulmin Argument

The Toulmin argument is one of the most popular types of arguments used in essay writing.

This type of argument follows a specific structure. It begins with an introduction, then presents evidence and draws conclusions based on that evidence.

Toulmin Argumentative Essay Outline Template

A. Hook â Provide an interesting or thought-provoking statement to draw in the reader.

B. Background Information â Give a brief overview of the issue being discussed and provide any necessary context.

C. Thesis Statement â Clearly state your opinion on the issue without being too biased or one-sided.

A. Data â Present any facts or evidence that support your argument.

B. Warrant â Explain the logic behind why this data supports your argument.

C. Rebuttal - Dismiss any potential counterarguments and explain why they are wrong.

D. Qualifier - Offer a final statement that presents your opinion on the issue in a more subtle way.

A. Summary of Argument â Quickly summarize the key points from your argument.

B. Call to Action â Encourage the reader to take some form of action related to the issue.

Classical Argument

A classical argument is a traditional approach to constructing an argument.

This structure involves setting up your opinion, presenting opposing arguments, and refuting those arguments. After that, you can reiterate your point of view in a conclusion.

Classical Argumentative Essay Outline Template

A. Hook â Provide an interesting or thought-provoking statement to draw in the reader.

B. Background Information â Give a brief overview of the issue being discussed and provide any necessary context.

C. Thesis Statement â Clearly state your opinion on the issue without being too biased or one-sided.

A. Pro Argument â Present any facts or evidence that support your argument.

B. Con Argument - Explain why someone might disagree with your opinion and present their side of the argument.

C. Refutation of Opposing Argument - Dismiss any potential counterarguments to your opinion and explain why they are wrong.

D. Reiteration of Thesis Statement â Summarize your opinion and reiterate your main points.

A. Summary of Argument â Quickly summarize the key points from your argument.

C. Final Thought - Leave the reader with a thought-provoking final statement. It should sum up your argument and encourages them to reflect on it further.

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Argumentative Essay Outline Examples

The outline used to write an argumentative essay can also be used for persuasive essay writing . A few outline examples of an argumentative essay outline are given below:

Argumentative Essay Outline PDF

Argumentative Essay Outline Example

Conclusion Argumentative Essay Outline

Vaccine Argumentative Essay Outline

Abortion Argumentative Essay Outline

Research Argumentative Essay Outline

Argumentative Essay Outline College

Argumentative Essay Outline Sample

Argumentative Essay Outline AP Lang

MLA Argumentative Essay Outline

5 Paragraph Argumentative Essay Outline

Summing it up, your whole argumentative essay depends on the outline you make for it. So the outline for your essay should be detailed and direct to make your essay persuasive and readable.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 4 parts of an argumentative essay.

The four main parts of an argumentative essay are:

Introduction
Thesis statement
Main body paragraphs
Conclusion

What are good topics to write an argumentative essay?

Here are some good argumentative essay topics.

Should self-driving cars be legal?
Should video games be a sport?
All students must wear a uniform in high school.
Is the cost of college too high?
Is globalization a good thing?

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Argumentative Essay – Outline, Form, and Examples

What is an argumentative essay.

An argumentative essay requires the writer to investigate a specific topic by collecting and evaluating evidence to establish a position on the subject matter.

When preparing to compose a good argumentative essay, utilize the following steps:

Step 1: Select a topic.

Step 2: Identify a position.

Step 3: Locate appropriate resources.

Step 4: Identify evidence supporting the position. ( NOTE: If there is little evidence in support of the claim, consider re-examining the main argument.)

When gathering evidence, use credible sources . To determine the credibility of the source, consider authority, currency, accuracy, and objectivity:

Who is the author ? Are they an expert in the field? Has a reputable publisher published the work?

How current is the information in the source? Does the currency of the source matter? Does the age of the source impact the content? Is there newer information that disproves the source’s information?

Can other sources verify the accuracy of the information? Does the information contradict that found in other commonly accepted sources?

Is there any evidence of bias, or is the source objective ? Is the research sponsored by an organization that may skew the information?

The following are typically recognized as providing appropriate, credible research material:

Peer-reviewed journals/research papers

Government agencies

Professional organizations

Library databases

Reference books

Writers should avoid using the following sources:

Social media posts

Out-of-date materials

Step 5: Utilize the research to determine a thesis statement that identifies the topic, position, and support(s).

Step 6: Use the evidence to construct an outline, detailing the main supports and relevant evidence.

Argumentative essay outline

After gathering all of the necessary research, the next step in composing an argumentative essay focuses on organizing the information through the use of an outline:

Introduction

Attention Grabber/Hook

Background Information: Include any background information pertinent to the topic that the reader needs to know to understand the argument.

Thesis: State the position in connection to the main topic and identify the supports that will help prove the argument.

Topic sentence

Identify evidence in support of the claim in the topic sentence

Explain how the evidence supports the argument

Evidence 3 (Continue as needed)

Support 2 (Continue as needed)

Restate thesis

Review main supports

Concluding statement

Invite the audience to take a specific action.

Identify the overall importance of the topic and position.

How to write an argumentative essay

Regardless of the writer’s topic or point of view, an argumentative essay should include an introductory paragraph, body paragraphs, a conclusion, and works cited.

Background information

Body Paragraphs

Analysis of evidence

Rephrased thesis

Review of main ideas

Call to action

Works Cited

Argumentative essay introduction

The introduction sets the tone for the entire paper and introduces the argument. In general, the first paragraph(s) should attract the reader’s attention, provide relevant context, and conclude with a thesis statement.

To attract the reader's attention , start with an introductory device. There are several attention-grabbing techniques, the most common of which consist of the following:

The writer can emphasize the topic’s importance by explaining the current interest in the topic or indicating that the subject is influential.

Pertinent statistics give the paper an air of authority.

There are many reasons for a stimulating statement to surprise a reader. Sometimes it is joyful; sometimes it is shocking; sometimes it is surprising because of who said it.

An interesting incident or anecdote can act as a teaser to lure the reader into the remainder of the essay. Be sure that the device is appropriate for the subject and focus of what follows.

Provide the reader with relevant context and background information necessary to understand the topic.

Conclude with a thesis statement that identifies the overall purpose of the essay (topic and position). Writers can also include their support directly in the thesis, which outlines the structure of the essay for the reader.

Avoid the following when writing the introduction to argumentative writing:

Starting with dictionary definitions is too overdone and unappealing.

Do not make an announcement of the topic like “In this paper I will…” or “The purpose of this essay is to….”

Evidence supporting or developing the thesis should be in the body paragraphs, not the introduction.

Beginning the essay with general or absolute statements such as “throughout history...” or “as human beings we always...” or similar statements suggest the writer knows all of history or that all people behave or think in the same way.

Argumentative essay thesis

The thesis statement is the single, specific claim the writer sets out to prove and is typically positioned as the last sentence of the introduction . It is the controlling idea of the entire argument that identifies the topic, position, and reasoning.

When constructing a thesis for an argumentative paper, make sure it contains a side of the argument, not simply a topic. An argumentative thesis identifies the writer’s position on a given topic. If a position cannot be taken, then it is not argumentative thesis:

Topic: Capital punishment is practiced in many states.

Thesis: Capital punishment should be illegal.

While not always required, the thesis statement can include the supports the writer will use to prove the main claim. Therefore, a thesis statement can be structured as follows:

TOPIC + POSITION (+ SUPPORTS)

No Supports: College athletes (TOPIC) should be financially compensated (POSITION).

Supports: College athletes (TOPIC) should be financially compensated (POSITION) because they sacrifice their minds and bodies (SUPPORT 1), cannot hold

Argumentative essay body paragraphs

Body paragraphs can be of varying lengths, but they must present a coherent argument unified under a single topic. They are rarely ever longer than one page, double-spaced; usually they are much shorter.

Lengthy paragraphs indicate a lack of structure. Identify the main ideas of a lengthy paragraph to determine if they make more sense as separate topics in separate paragraphs.

Shorter paragraphs usually indicate a lack of substance; there is not enough evidence or analysis to prove the argument. Develop the ideas more or integrate the information into another paragraph.

The structure of an argumentative paragraph should include a topic sentence, evidence, and a transition.

The topic sentence is the thesis of the paragraph that identifies the arguable point in support of the main argument. The reader should know exactly what the writer is trying to prove within the paragraph by reading the first sentence.

The supporting evidence and analysis provide information to support the claim. There should be a balance between the evidence (facts, quotations, summary of events/plot, etc.) and analysis (interpretation of evidence). If the paragraph is evidence-heavy, there is not much of an argument; if it is analysis-heavy, there is not enough evidence in support of the claim.

The transition can be at the beginning or the end of a paragraph. However, it is much easier to combine the transition with the concluding observation to help the paragraphs flow into one another. Transitions in academic writing should tell the reader where you were, where you are going, and relate to the thesis.

Some essays may benefit from the inclusion of rebuttals to potential counterarguments of the writer’s position.

Argumentative essay conclusion

The conclusion should make readers glad they read the paper. It can suggest broader implications that will not only interest readers but also enrich their understanding in some way. There are three aspects to follow when constructing the conclusion: rephrase the thesis, synthesize information, and call the reader to action.

Rephrased the thesis in the first sentence of the conclusion. It must be in different words; do not simply write it verbatim.

Synthesize the argument by showing how the paper's main points support the argument.

Propose a course of action or a solution to an issue. This can redirect the reader's thought process to apply the ideas to their life or to see the broader implications of the topic.

Avoid the following when constructing the conclusion:

Beginning with an unnecessary, overused phrase such as "in conclusion," "in summary," or "in closing;" although these phrases can work in speeches, they come across as trite in writing

Introducing a new idea or subtopic in the conclusion

Making sentimental, emotional appeals that are out of character with the rest of the paper

Including evidence (quotations, statistics, etc.) that should be in the body of the paper

Argumentative essay examples

Examples of argumentative essays vary depending upon the type:

Academic essays differ based upon the topic and position. These essays follow a more traditional structure and are typically assigned in high school or college. Examples of academic argumentative essay topics include the following:

Advantages or disadvantages of social media

Animal testing

Art education

Benefit or detriment of homework

Capital punishment

Class warfare

Immigration

School uniforms

Universal healthcare

Violence in video games

Argumentative literary essays are typically more informal and do not follow the same structure as an academic essay. The following are popular examples of argumentative literary essays:

“Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Death of the Moth” by Virginia Woolf

“Shooting an Elephant” by George Orwell

“Thoughts for the Times on War and Death” by Sigmund Freud

“Does the Truth Matter? Science, Pseudoscience, and Civilization” by Carl Sagan

“Self-Reliance” by Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Argumentative Essay Outline
How to Write an Essay Outline: Full Guide With Examples

Argumentative essay outline toolkit, how to write an outline for an argumentative essay.


	The initial step in crafting a compelling outline for your argumentative essay is to carefully choose your topic. By thoughtfully selecting your topic, you're laying the foundation for an argument that will engage and inform your audience throughout your essay.	If you are writing an essay on capitalism and socialism, your topic can be “Why is socialism important for a co-operative society”.
	Generally, the purpose of an argumentative essay is to persuade your readers to understand and support your point of view about a topic by stating your reasoning and providing evidence to back it up.	If your objective is to state your opinion on a topic, you can say, “A discussion on how socialism can improve co-operative behaviour in the society will be conducted.”
	This section of your outline is dedicated to crafting the central argument, known as the thesis statement, for your essay. Generally, a strong for an argument essay states a clear position on the issue or topic at hand.	Continuing the example, your thesis statement for the topic could be, “Capitalism and socialism each have distinct strengths and weaknesses, but for the betterment of society socialism offers a wider and healthy prespective.”
	Now, it's time to chart the course for your essay by outlining the key components. Define the main points you'll be addressing and specify the supporting points that will strengthen your thesis. Generally, argumentative essays usually follow a five-paragraph structure..	The main points for your essay could be
	After introducing the main points of your essay, the next step involves in-depth elaboration on each of these points, substantiated by relevant examples. In this section, you will explicitly outline the main points to be discussed and specify the examples that will reinforce your arguments.	In your main point “Socialism ensures fairness and equality”, sub-points you can include could be: All will be explained with examples and backed with statistical data.
	Academic essays will require you to cite all information presented, along with the need to attribute examples, quotes, and data that support your arguments. Within this context, you should clearly outline the sources from which you will be citing information.	You can cite real-world examples, and case studies, and provide information on historical events and their impact.
	A hook serves the purpose of capturing the reader's attention and piquing their curiosity. Generally, argumentative essays use surprising or compelling statistics related to your argument as a hook.	You can start your essay with a statistical data hook like “Did you know roughly 39% of people have a positive view of capitalism and a negative view of socialism, and vice-versa”. Then continue on to provide an overview of capitalism and socialism and introduce your central question.
	After you have stated your key points, it's time to conclude your essay. Argumentative essays are generally concluded by addressing opposing viewpoints and explaining why readers should align with your position.	In the conclusion, you will reiterate your thesis statement, and then give your final perspective on how socialism is better for society.
	Transition words play a crucial role in ensuring the seamless flow of your writing, facilitating smooth transitions between sentences, paragraphs, and topics. In argumentative essays generally, contrast transition words are used specifically when you need to communicate a point that contradicts your previous statement. An effective transition sentence is one that includes a word or phrase such as however, despite this/that, in contrast, or nonetheless.	You can use words like “chiefly”, “as a result”, and “after all” to transition from one idea, topic, or sentence to another.
	With your outline now complete, take a moment to revisit it, ensuring it maintains logical coherence and comprehensiveness. Make any necessary revisions as your review.	Finally, during the review, you will need to ensure that each point flows logically and you have included all the necessary information and didn't add any extra points.

Once you are done with these steps, this is what your structure will look like

Introduction.

Provide an overview of capitalism and socialism
Introduce the central question: How is socialism more beneficial for society?

Capitalism and socialism each have distinct strengths and weaknesses, but for the betterment of society socialism offers a wider and healthy prespective.

Socialism ensures fairness and equality

Highlight the advantages of socialism, such as better living standards
Mention how socialism reduces income inequality
Provide real-world examples or case studies that illustrate the effects of socialism

Capitalism can be better for economy

Discuss the benefits of socialism, such as reduced income inequality and social safety nets.
Explore the disadvantages of socialism, such as reduced economic incentives and bureaucracy
Offer examples from socialist societies or historical contexts to illustrate the impact of socialism

Socialism can create a stable economy and society

contrast capitalism and socialism based on how socialism provides better economic stability for the society (e.g., economic growth, income distribution, individual freedom)
Evaluate the impact of capitalism and socialism on societal well-being, considering factors like healthcare, education, and poverty

Socialism enhances living standards and reduces business fluctuations

End your discussion by mentioning how socialism is better for both economically and socially
Present examples of countries successfully implementing socialism models
Reiterate your thesis statement
Give your final perspective on how socialism system is more beneficial for society

This is what your outline will look like

Firstly, the essay will discuss how socialism ensures fairness and equality in society by examining various advantages of socialism and offering real-world examples from case studies and historical events. Secondly, the essay will compare and analyze both by evaluating their impact on social and economic factors. Lastly, the essay will convey how socialism enhances living standards and reduces business fluctuations and will support them with the use of real-world examples.

1. Identify the topic

The initial step in crafting a compelling outline for your argumentative essay is to carefully choose your topic. Your choice of topic should be precise and engaging, setting the stage for the reader's expectations. By thoughtfully selecting your topic, you're laying the foundation for an argument that will engage and inform your audience throughout your essay. To do this effectively, consider asking yourself thought-provoking questions.

If you are writing an essay on capitalism and socialism, your topic can be “Why is socialism important for a co-operative society”.

2. Define the objective

In the realm of argumentative essays, the primary aim is to convince your readers to align with your viewpoint on a particular topic. You accomplish this by presenting a well-reasoned argument supported by substantial evidence. Clearly outlining your objective helps your audience understand the purpose and direction of your argumentative essay right from the outset.

If your objective is to state your opinion on a topic, you can say, “A discussion on how socialism can improve co-operative behaviour in the society will be conducted.”

3. Craft the thesis

Within your outline, carve out a distinct section dedicated to constructing the thesis statement, the heart of your argumentative essay. A thesis statement for an argumentative essay takes a firm stance on the issue at hand. The thesis statement serves as the guiding light for your essay, directing your arguments and analysis toward a specific and persuasive perspective.

Continuing the example, your thesis statement for the topic could be, “Capitalism and socialism each have distinct strengths and weaknesses, but for the betterment of society socialism offers a wider and healthy prespective.”

4. Main points

As you delve into the core of your outline, it's crucial to outline the major components of your argument. Identify the central themes and specify supporting points that bolster your thesis. In the realm of argumentative essays, the conventional five-paragraph structure often serves as a helpful framework. This structure typically comprises an introduction and a body paragraph that examines both sides of the issue, followed by your reasoning for supporting one side. Mapping out these main points provides a clear roadmap for your argumentative essay, ensuring it flows logically and persuasively.

The main points for your essay could be

Socialism can create a stable economy
Socialism is better for social living and fewer business fluctuations

5. Sub-points

Subsequently, after introducing the main points of your essay, you should embark on a comprehensive exploration of each of these points, fortified by relevant examples and evidence. In this section, it's imperative to elucidate the key issues to be discussed and specify the examples that will underpin your arguments. By breaking down your main points into sub-points, you'll be able to provide a more detailed and compelling argument within your essay.

Examine the drawbacks of capitalism, including income inequality and exploitation
Discuss the benefits of capitalism, such as increase in overall economy and better market for consumers.
Explore the advtanges of capitalism, such as a competitive market and bureaucracy

All will be explained with examples and backed with statistical data.

6. Evidence and citations

In the realm of academic essays, it's imperative to back your claims with credible evidence and properly attribute information. Your outline should include a dedicated section for citing your sources, whether they are real-world examples, quotes, or statistical data. This reinforces the credibility of your argument and demonstrates the thoroughness of your research.

You can cite real-world examples, and case studies, and provide information on historical events and their impact.

7. Introduction and hook

To captivate your readers' attention, your argumentative essay's introduction should feature a compelling hook. Typically, argumentative essays leverage surprising or striking statistics related to your argument as a hook. An effective introduction sets the stage for your argument and entices your audience to delve further into your essay.

You can start your essay with a statistical data hook like “Did you know roughly 39% of people have a positive view of capitalism and a negative view of socialism, and vice-versa”. Then continue on to provide an overview of capitalism and socialism and introduce your central question.

8. Conclusion

After you have stated your key points, it's time to conclude your essay. Argumentative essays are generally concluded by addressing opposing viewpoints and explaining why readers should align with your position.

In the conclusion, you will reiterate your thesis statement, and then give your final perspective on how socialism is better for society.

9. Transitions

Transition words play a crucial role in ensuring the seamless flow of your writing, facilitating smooth transitions between sentences, paragraphs, and topics. In argumentative essays generally, contrast transition words are used specifically when you need to communicate a point that contradicts your previous statement. An effective transition sentence is one that includes a word or phrase such as however, despite this/that, in contrast, or nonetheless.

You can use words like “chiefly”, “as a result”, and “after all” to transition from one idea, topic, or sentence to another.

10. Refine and review

Finally, before you embark on the actual writing of your essay, thoroughly review your outline. Ensure that each point flows logically, and all necessary information is included, while avoiding any extraneous content. Make any necessary revisions as you review, by refining and reviewing your outline, you lay the groundwork for a well-structured, persuasive, and compelling argumentative essay.

Finally, during the review, you will need to ensure that each point flows logically and you have included all the necessary information and didn’t add any extra points.

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Persuasive Essay Outline – Examples, Templates & Structure

Amanda Green was born in a small town in the west of Scotland, where everyone knows everyone. I joined the Toastmasters 15 years ago, and I served in nearly every office in the club since then. I love helping others gain confidence and skills they can apply in every day life.

Writing a good persuasive essay can help convince others of a point that means a lot to you. It can be anything from an environmental crisis to something as simple as the importance of ebooks to the modern reader. But how do you write a persuasive essay? Where do you even start? Right here! I’ll explain everything you need to know and even show you an example of a persuasive essay.

What Is a Persuasive Essay?

six paragraph argumentative essay outline

Persuasive essays are meant to convince someone or a group of people to agree with you on a certain topic or point of view. As the writer, you’ll use definitive evidence, simple reasoning, and even examples to support your argument and persuade them to understand the point of the essay.

Why Write a Persuasive Essay?

Believe it or not, you’ll have to form convincing arguments throughout real life. This could be in the form of college essays or academic essays, speeches for debate club that requires a valid argument, or even presenting an idea for change to your town council.

Argumentative vs. Persuasive Essay

An argumentative essay presents an argument on a specific topic and tries to persuade people to accept that argument as valid. It uses evidence, logic, and sometimes counterarguments to support the main point.

A persuasive essay is similar but presents an argument and focuses more on appealing to the reader’s emotions and values to convince them of your point of view. Think of it as convincing vs. persuading. And, yes, persuasive essays can also use evidence, but they often rely more on personal anecdotes and moral appeals to plead their case.

Let me give you an example. I’m a content writer, but I’m also a published author. If I were going to write an argumentative essay, I’d probably choose a topic like “Do you think authors should self-edit their work?”

But if I were doing a persuasive essay with a similar angle, the topic would look more like “The benefits of self-editing for authors.” Make sense?

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Basically, the main difference between argumentative and persuasive essays is all in the emphasis placed on logic and emotion.

How Many Paragraphs in a Persuasive Essay?

A decent persuasive essay should be around five or six paragraphs with double line spacing, depending on the topic, and can range from 500-2000 words in length. This includes your introduction and conclusion.

Introduction of a Persuasive Essay Example

Our world is facing a crisis, and that crisis is plastic pollution! Every day, a disgusting amount of plastic waste is just dumped into our oceans, killing and harming innocent marine life and ultimately affecting the entire food chain, including us.

Even though there is a clear and present danger that plastic presents, there are still a lot of people and corporations that continue to use single-use plastics with zero regards for their impact on our environment. It’s time for people to really look around and take some responsibility.

We can make a change by learning and using environmentally friendly alternatives in our everyday lives. So, in this essay, I’ll argue that using reusable bags, water bottles, and containers is not only necessary for the health of our precious planet but also a simple and effective way to make a real difference.

A Persuasive Essay Structure

As persuasive essay writers, you can write it however you like, but to follow a traditional persuasive essay structure, use this basic layout to get an effective paper:

An Introduction: You need a good hook to grab the reader’s attention, a thesis statement presenting the main argument, and a roadmap of the essay, so they know what to expect.
The Body Paragraphs: 2-3 paragraphs should suffice to provide strong evidence, examples, and any reasoning to support the thesis statement. Each paragraph should focus on a single main idea.
The Counterargument: This section acknowledges and refutes the opposing viewpoint, strengthening your argument but still without being as forward as an argumentative essay.
A Conclusion or Closing Statement: Here is where you would summarize the main points of the essay and a restatement of the thesis, including a call to action for the reader and/or a final thought.

In the end, a persuasive essay usually consists of 5-6 paragraphs and needs to be clear, concise, and logically structured to really persuade the reader on the point.

Tips for Persuasive Writing

Choose a strong, clear thesis statement that presents your argument well.
Know your audience and tailor your language and arguments to them. You’ll need a different approach if you’re speaking to a group of teenagers versus a team of adults.
Use credible and reliable sources to support your argument so no one can second guess your point.
Expect that people will have counterarguments and prepare a few talking points to address them.
Use strong pieces of evidence and back them up with facts, statistics, examples, and personal anecdotes. Putting a personal touch on it helps ground the essay and lets people know you’re serious about the topic.
Use an emotional appeal to engage the reader and make a personal connection to your argument. Basically, tug at their heartstrings and play into their guilt.
Use clear and concise wordage. Try and avoid confusing technical jargon that might confuse people, and maintain a consistent tone throughout the essay.
Make sure you’re confident and use an assertive tone but avoid being overly aggressive or confrontational. That will just spark a fight.
Finish up with a powerful call to action or a final thought that leaves a lasting impact on the reader or listener.
Use the same font throughout your essay, even for headings and titles. Go with easy-to-read fonts like Calibri, Times New Roman, or Garamond.
Proofread and edit your essay for clarity, grammar, and style. I cannot stress this one enough. If you’re not confident, use programs like Grammarly to help spot typos and inconsistencies.

Persuasive Essay Topic Ideas

If you’re stuck on some ideas of what to form your essay around, here’s a list of some popular topics to inspire you.

Importance of recycling and reducing waste in today’s climate.
The need for stricter gun control laws all over the world.
A paper on abortion rights in today’s age.
Benefits of alternative energy sources over fossil fuels and how we can be using them.
How social media has negative impacts on mental health in kids.
Key benefits of a vegetarian or vegan diet and how it can help the planet.
The value of a college education.
Rise of plastic pollution on the environment and sea life and how it is affecting us.
Why physical exercise and leading an active lifestyle are important.
The dangers of texting while driving.
How our public schools need better funding.
Benefits of a diverse and inclusive workplace both online and in-person.

Any of these could be used as logical arguments. Still, to make a persuasive argument from either of them, just follow the basic persuasive essay outline examples I’ve given you.

Example of a Persuasive Essay

Introduction.

In today’s age of ever-changing technology, the way we consume and experience books have changed dramatically in just a short time. While physical books were once the only option, ebooks have grown increasingly popular in recent years. In my essay, I’ll argue that, while we all still love paperbacks and hardcovers, ebooks offer so many benefits over physical books, making them the number one choice for most readers today.

Body Paragraph 1: Convenience

Ebooks are convenient; there’s just no denying it. They’re easily accessible through devices like smartphones, tablets, and e-readers, and they allow readers to carry hundreds of books with them at all times. This makes them perfect for traveling or heading to work, or even going to the gym. Readers can now have an entire library with them without the added weight of physical books. Plus, ebooks are easily bought online with just the click of a button, further adding to their convenience.

Body Paragraph 2: Customization

Ebooks offer a level of customization that physical books just can’t match. For one, the font size can be adjusted for easier reading, which is great for those who have eyesight problems. The background color can also be changed from light to dark to reduce eye strain. Personally, as someone who suffers from Meniere’s disease, this is a great feature. All of these options make ebooks a great choice for people with visual impairments, neurological disorders, or reading difficulties.

Body Paragraph 3: Affordability

Ebooks are often far cheaper than physical books, especially when purchased in bulk. You can get an entire series for a fraction of the cost of one paperback. This makes them a more accessible option for budget-conscious readers and people who simply don’t have the disposable funds for books. Also, tons of ebooks are available for free, which is a great option for readers that are looking for ways to save money but keep up with their reading habits.

Body Paragraph 4: Environmentally Friendly

626,000 tons of paper is used to produce all the books we see published every year. That’s a scary number when you consider the rate of deforestation and the state of our world in terms of global warming. We simply can’t afford to move ahead at a rate like that. Ebooks help tackle the issue because they require zero trees to produce.

In conclusion, ebooks offer endless benefits over physical books, including convenience, customization, and affordability. While physical books will always hold a special place in our hearts, you have to admit that the benefits of ebooks just can’t be ignored. For modern, busy, on-the-go readers, ebooks are the preferred choice. It’s time to embrace the digital age and make the switch to ebooks.

Now Write Your Persuasive Essay!

I hope this guide has helped you figure out persuasive essay writing and how to put together powerful arguments. Just stick to the facts and ease the reader into your point with gentle arguments that continue to prove your point. Don’t be afraid to get personal if it can help the essay and convince the reader.

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8 Effective Strategies to Write Argumentative Essays

In a bustling university town, there lived a student named Alex. Popular for creativity and wit, one challenge seemed insurmountable for Alex– the dreaded argumentative essay!

One gloomy afternoon, as the rain tapped against the window pane, Alex sat at his cluttered desk, staring at a blank document on the computer screen. The assignment loomed large: a 350-600-word argumentative essay on a topic of their choice . With a sigh, he decided to seek help of mentor, Professor Mitchell, who was known for his passion for writing.

Entering Professor Mitchell’s office was like stepping into a treasure of knowledge. Bookshelves lined every wall, faint aroma of old manuscripts in the air and sticky notes over the wall. Alex took a deep breath and knocked on his door.

“Ah, Alex,” Professor Mitchell greeted with a warm smile. “What brings you here today?”

Alex confessed his struggles with the argumentative essay. After hearing his concerns, Professor Mitchell said, “Ah, the argumentative essay! Don’t worry, Let’s take a look at it together.” As he guided Alex to the corner shelf, Alex asked,

Table of Contents

“What is an Argumentative Essay?”

The professor replied, “An argumentative essay is a type of academic writing that presents a clear argument or a firm position on a contentious issue. Unlike other forms of essays, such as descriptive or narrative essays, these essays require you to take a stance, present evidence, and convince your audience of the validity of your viewpoint with supporting evidence. A well-crafted argumentative essay relies on concrete facts and supporting evidence rather than merely expressing the author’s personal opinions . Furthermore, these essays demand comprehensive research on the chosen topic and typically follows a structured format consisting of three primary sections: an introductory paragraph, three body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph.”

He continued, “Argumentative essays are written in a wide range of subject areas, reflecting their applicability across disciplines. They are written in different subject areas like literature and philosophy, history, science and technology, political science, psychology, economics and so on.

Alex asked,

“When is an Argumentative Essay Written?”

The professor answered, “Argumentative essays are often assigned in academic settings, but they can also be written for various other purposes, such as editorials, opinion pieces, or blog posts. Some situations to write argumentative essays include:

1. Academic assignments

In school or college, teachers may assign argumentative essays as part of coursework. It help students to develop critical thinking and persuasive writing skills .

2. Debates and discussions

Argumentative essays can serve as the basis for debates or discussions in academic or competitive settings. Moreover, they provide a structured way to present and defend your viewpoint.

3. Opinion pieces

Newspapers, magazines, and online publications often feature opinion pieces that present an argument on a current issue or topic to influence public opinion.

4. Policy proposals

In government and policy-related fields, argumentative essays are used to propose and defend specific policy changes or solutions to societal problems.

5. Persuasive speeches

Before delivering a persuasive speech, it’s common to prepare an argumentative essay as a foundation for your presentation.

Regardless of the context, an argumentative essay should present a clear thesis statement , provide evidence and reasoning to support your position, address counterarguments, and conclude with a compelling summary of your main points. The goal is to persuade readers or listeners to accept your viewpoint or at least consider it seriously.”

Handing over a book, the professor continued, “Take a look on the elements or structure of an argumentative essay.”

Elements of an Argumentative Essay

An argumentative essay comprises five essential components:

Claim in argumentative writing is the central argument or viewpoint that the writer aims to establish and defend throughout the essay. A claim must assert your position on an issue and must be arguable. It can guide the entire argument.

2. Evidence

Evidence must consist of factual information, data, examples, or expert opinions that support the claim. Also, it lends credibility by strengthening the writer’s position.

3. Counterarguments

Presenting a counterclaim demonstrates fairness and awareness of alternative perspectives.

4. Rebuttal

After presenting the counterclaim, the writer refutes it by offering counterarguments or providing evidence that weakens the opposing viewpoint. It shows that the writer has considered multiple perspectives and is prepared to defend their position.

The format of an argumentative essay typically follows the structure to ensure clarity and effectiveness in presenting an argument.

How to Write An Argumentative Essay

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to write an argumentative essay:

1. Introduction

Begin with a compelling sentence or question to grab the reader’s attention.
Provide context for the issue, including relevant facts, statistics, or historical background.
Provide a concise thesis statement to present your position on the topic.

2. Body Paragraphs (usually three or more)

Start each paragraph with a clear and focused topic sentence that relates to your thesis statement.
Furthermore, provide evidence and explain the facts, statistics, examples, expert opinions, and quotations from credible sources that supports your thesis.
Use transition sentences to smoothly move from one point to the next.

3. Counterargument and Rebuttal

Acknowledge opposing viewpoints or potential objections to your argument.
Also, address these counterarguments with evidence and explain why they do not weaken your position.

4. Conclusion

Restate your thesis statement and summarize the key points you’ve made in the body of the essay.
Leave the reader with a final thought, call to action, or broader implication related to the topic.

5. Citations and References

Properly cite all the sources you use in your essay using a consistent citation style.
Also, include a bibliography or works cited at the end of your essay.

6. Formatting and Style

Follow any specific formatting guidelines provided by your instructor or institution.
Use a professional and academic tone in your writing and edit your essay to avoid content, spelling and grammar mistakes .

Remember that the specific requirements for formatting an argumentative essay may vary depending on your instructor’s guidelines or the citation style you’re using (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago). Always check the assignment instructions or style guide for any additional requirements or variations in formatting.

Did you understand what Prof. Mitchell explained Alex? Check it now!

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Prof. Mitchell continued, “An argumentative essay can adopt various approaches when dealing with opposing perspectives. It may offer a balanced presentation of both sides, providing equal weight to each, or it may advocate more strongly for one side while still acknowledging the existence of opposing views.” As Alex listened carefully to the Professor’s thoughts, his eyes fell on a page with examples of argumentative essay.

Example of an Argumentative Essay

Alex picked the book and read the example. It helped him to understand the concept. Furthermore, he could now connect better to the elements and steps of the essay which Prof. Mitchell had mentioned earlier. Aren’t you keen to know how an argumentative essay should be like? Here is an example of a well-crafted argumentative essay , which was read by Alex. After Alex finished reading the example, the professor turned the page and continued, “Check this page to know the importance of writing an argumentative essay in developing skills of an individual.”

Importance of an Argumentative Essay

After understanding the benefits, Alex was convinced by the ability of the argumentative essays in advocating one’s beliefs and favor the author’s position. Alex asked,

“How are argumentative essays different from the other types?”

Prof. Mitchell answered, “Argumentative essays differ from other types of essays primarily in their purpose, structure, and approach in presenting information. Unlike expository essays, argumentative essays persuade the reader to adopt a particular point of view or take a specific action on a controversial issue. Furthermore, they differ from descriptive essays by not focusing vividly on describing a topic. Also, they are less engaging through storytelling as compared to the narrative essays.

Alex said, “Given the direct and persuasive nature of argumentative essays, can you suggest some strategies to write an effective argumentative essay?

Turning the pages of the book, Prof. Mitchell replied, “Sure! You can check this infographic to get some tips for writing an argumentative essay.”

Effective Strategies to Write an Argumentative Essay

As days turned into weeks, Alex diligently worked on his essay. He researched, gathered evidence, and refined his thesis. It was a long and challenging journey, filled with countless drafts and revisions.

Finally, the day arrived when Alex submitted their essay. As he clicked the “Submit” button, a sense of accomplishment washed over him. He realized that the argumentative essay, while challenging, had improved his critical thinking and transformed him into a more confident writer. Furthermore, Alex received feedback from his professor, a mix of praise and constructive criticism. It was a humbling experience, a reminder that every journey has its obstacles and opportunities for growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

An argumentative essay can be written as follows- 1. Choose a Topic 2. Research and Collect Evidences 3. Develop a Clear Thesis Statement 4. Outline Your Essay- Introduction, Body Paragraphs and Conclusion 5. Revise and Edit 6. Format and Cite Sources 7. Final Review

One must choose a clear, concise and specific statement as a claim. It must be debatable and establish your position. Avoid using ambiguous or unclear while making a claim. To strengthen your claim, address potential counterarguments or opposing viewpoints. Additionally, use persuasive language and rhetoric to make your claim more compelling

Starting an argument essay effectively is crucial to engage your readers and establish the context for your argument. Here’s how you can start an argument essay are: 1. Begin With an Engaging Hook 2. Provide Background Information 3. Present Your Thesis Statement 4. Briefly Outline Your Main 5. Establish Your Credibility

The key features of an argumentative essay are: 1. Clear and Specific Thesis Statement 2. Credible Evidence 3. Counterarguments 4. Structured Body Paragraph 5. Logical Flow 6. Use of Persuasive Techniques 7. Formal Language

An argumentative essay typically consists of the following main parts or sections: 1. Introduction 2. Body Paragraphs 3. Counterargument and Rebuttal 4. Conclusion 5. References (if applicable)

The main purpose of an argumentative essay is to persuade the reader to accept or agree with a particular viewpoint or position on a controversial or debatable topic. In other words, the primary goal of an argumentative essay is to convince the audience that the author's argument or thesis statement is valid, logical, and well-supported by evidence and reasoning.

Great article! The topic is simplified well! Keep up the good work

Excellent article! provides comprehensive and practical guidance for crafting compelling arguments. The emphasis on thorough research and clear thesis statements is particularly valuable. To further enhance your strategies, consider recommending the use of a counterargument paragraph. Addressing and refuting opposing viewpoints can strengthen your position and show a well-rounded understanding of the topic. Additionally, engaging with a community like ATReads, a writers’ social media, can provide valuable feedback and support from fellow writers. Thanks for sharing these insightful tips!

wow incredible ! keep up the good work

I love it thanks for the guidelines

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Need editing and proofreading services, how to write an argumentative essay (examples included).

Tags: Academic Writing , Essay , Essay Writing

Argumentative essay writing, as the name implies, involves creating strong arguments based on facts and evidence. The goal of this essay is to convince the reader to adopt a logical viewpoint based on the available proof. It is a complex form of essay writing which requires extensive first-hand as well as second-hand research.

Let’s understand what an argumentative essay is and how to write it with the help of numerous argumentative essay examples. To guide you in your essay writing journey, we’ve also provided a well-structured argumentative essay outline.

Let’s start off with understanding what is an argumentative essay.

What is an argumentative essay?

An argumentative essay is a piece of writing that convinces one to adopt a particular viewpoint, based on statistics and evidence. Unlike an expository essay, an argumentative essay involves adopting a particular point of view on a topic based on the available information.

Since it’s aimed at convincing the readers, it needs to contain strong supporting evidence. This requires a much more thorough examination of the available data sources. An argumentative essay is the most common essay type assigned in science, technology or even advanced literature courses in colleges.

A well-written argumentative essay makes use of information rather than personal opinion. For instance, the statement “beaches are better than mountains” makes for a poor argument. However, including statistical data and figures makes this argument more substantial. For instance “48% of Americans prefer beaches, whereas only 27% prefer mountains”

Now that we’ve understood the meaning of an argumentative essay, let’s take a look at its outline.

Argumentative essay outline

The argumentative essay structure is different from other essay types. Although its aim is to convince the reader to adopt a viewpoint, a good argumentative essay structure looks at an argument from all sides and also addresses the counterargument. The goal is to disprove the opposing arguments with the use of logic and the latest evidence.

There are three main argumentative essay formats. Let’s take a look:

This is the simplest structure of an argumentative essay when it comes to writing. It follows a logical path of introducing the argument, providing evidence supporting the argument, refuting counterarguments, and finally concluding your argument.

The following outline talks about the advantages of using nuclear power for environmental protection.

Advantages of Nuclear Power for Environmental Protection

I. Introduction

A. Background information on the topic

B. Thesis statement: Despite the negative reputation and potential risks associated with nuclear power, it is the best bet for our environment due to its low carbon emissions, high energy production, and advancements in safety technology.

II. Low carbon emissions

A. Explanation of carbon emissions and their impact on the environment

B. Comparison of nuclear power to other energy sources in terms of carbon emissions

C. Case studies and statistics supporting the low carbon emission of nuclear power

III. High energy production

A. Explanation of energy production and its importance

B. Comparison of nuclear power to other energy sources in terms of energy production

C. Case studies and statistics supporting the high energy production of nuclear power

IV. Advancements in safety technology

A. Explanation of nuclear power safety concerns

B. Overview of advancements in nuclear power safety technology

C. Comparison of nuclear power safety technology to other energy sources

D. Case studies and statistics supporting the advancements in nuclear power safety technology

V. Counterarguments and refutations

A. Discussion of common counterarguments against nuclear power

B. Refutation of counterarguments with evidence and examples

VI. Conclusion

A. Restatement of thesis

B. Summary of main points

C. Final thoughts on the importance of nuclear power in addressing environmental challenges.

This format is used to explain your stance on a highly polarizing, complex topic. It involves presenting your stance and comparing it with the generally accepted evidence. It also involves presenting the limitations of your claim along with rebuttals.

The following Toulmin essay outline highlights the dangers of genetic modification:

The Dark Side of Genetic Modification

B. Thesis statement: Genetic modification is dangerous due to the potential risks it poses to human health, the environment, and ethical concerns surrounding genetic engineering.

II. Claim 1: Risks to human health

A. Explanation of the potential risks to human health associated with genetic modification

B. Overview of studies and research that have shown adverse effects on human health

C. Evidence and examples supporting the claim

III. Claim 2: Risks to the environment

A. Explanation of the potential risks to the environment associated with genetic modification

B. Overview of studies and research that have shown negative impacts on the environment

IV. Claim 3: Ethical concerns

A. Explanation of the ethical concerns surrounding genetic engineering

B. Overview of the potential consequences of genetic modification on social, cultural, and ethical values

V. Counterargument and refutation

A. Discussion of common counterarguments in favor of genetic modification

V. Conclusion

C. Final thoughts on the dangers of genetic modification and the need for caution in its application.

3. Rogerian

This format acknowledges both sides of the argument and provides evidence as to why your stance is valid. It is the least confrontational form of argument which is used to convince to opposition to adopt your point of view.

The following Rogerian essay outline talks about why more government funds should be dedicated to space exploration.

A Cosmic Investment

B. Thesis statement: While some may argue that government funds should be allocated towards pressing issues on earth, dedicating more funds to space travel is necessary because of the technological advancements it brings, the potential for scientific discoveries, and economic benefits.

II. Understanding the opposing arguments

A. Explanation of the opposing viewpoint’s concerns and arguments

B. Acknowledgement of valid points made by the opposing viewpoint

C. Statement of common ground between the opposing viewpoint and the argument

III. Presenting the supporting arguments

A. Explanation of the technological advancements made possible through space travel

B. Overview of the scientific discoveries that have been made possible through space exploration

C. Explanation of the economic benefits of space travel and the growth of the space industry

IV. Addressing concerns of the opposition

A. Discussion of concerns raised by the opposing viewpoint and why they should not prevent the dedication of funds to space travel

B. Explanation of how funding for space travel can coexist with funding for pressing issues on earth

C. Evidence and examples to support the argument

V. Common ground and conclusion

A. Restatement of the thesis statement

B. Summary of the main points of the argument

C. Statement of common ground and call to action for continued exploration of space.

Now that you’ve learned how to structure, let’s understand how to write an argumentative essay.

How to write an argumentative essay

Although the process of writing an argumentative essay is similar to other essay types, it requires much more research and planning. Developing an argument requires a significant understanding of the subject matter from all angles.

Let’s take a look at the steps to writing an argumentative essay:

1. Choose appropriate argumentative essay topics.

Although topics for an argumentative essay are highly diverse, they are based on a controversial stance. So, make sure that your argumentative essay topics are debatable. Here are a few examples of good argumentative essay topics:

Should animal testing be prohibited?

Should sports be segregated by gender?

Are wildlife sanctuaries ethical?

2. Construct a thesis statement.

The thesis statement involves taking a stance on your topic. For instance, if your topic is “Should school uniforms be mandatory?”, your thesis statement will take a stance for, or against this. However, make sure that your thesis statement has sufficient evidence from reliable sources to back it up.

Let’s take a look at a thesis statement example for the topic “Why four-day work-weeks should be encouraged”:

A four-day workweek is a viable solution for reducing employee burnout, enhancing work-life balance, and improving overall productivity. It not only promotes a healthier and happier workforce but also reduces costs for employers.

3. Collect evidence.

After taking your stance on your essay topic, it’s time to back it up with facts, evidence, and statistics. This requires an extensive amount of research.

Make sure to facilitate your research from reputed sources. To make your essay up-to-date and reliable, you can even collect evidence with the help of surveys and experiments.

Next, sort your evidence into main points to create a basic outline of your essay. This is also a good time to address the counterarguments to your stance.

4. Write the first draft.

After developing the outline, it’s time to flesh it out. Start by constructing an interesting hook, and providing background information for your thesis statement in the introduction.

Next, elaborate on the topic sentences that provide support to your thesis statement. You can add statistics and empirical data along with plenty of direct quotes and citations to give credibility to your essay.

And finally, conclude your essay with a summarization of the main points of your essay along with the key takeaway. A powerful conclusion not only allows the readers to see your viewpoint but also creates a lasting impression on their minds.

5. Edit your draft.

Your first draft may not be perfect. Make sure to optimize the sentence structure and word choice. Also, modify your arguments if necessary. You can have friends and family go over your essay and spot any errors that slip through the cracks. For a more fool-proof, error-free essay you can also take the help of professional essay proofreading services .

Now that we’ve understood how to write an effective argumentative essay, let’s take a look at an example of an argumentative essay.

Argumentative essay example

To guide you in your essay-writing journey, we’ve provided you with an argumentative essay example. It discusses the ill effects of automation. This essay is slightly longer in length and deviates from the commonly used five-paragraph structure.

Should Companies Invest in Manpower over Autonomous Machines?

The rise of autonomous machines has revolutionized the manufacturing industry, with robots now able to perform tasks that were once done exclusively by human workers. While this technology has undoubtedly improved efficiency and productivity, the question remains whether companies should be required to hire human workers over using autonomous machines.

The use of autonomous machines has resulted in job losses in the manufacturing industry. According to a study by the Brookings Institution, the use of robots in the United States has led to the loss of over 1.7 million jobs since 2000. While automation has created new jobs in certain industries, such as software development and engineering, the number of jobs lost is significantly higher.

Hiring human workers also has a positive impact on the economy. According to a report by the National Bureau of Economic Research, every robot that replaces a human worker leads to a net loss of 1.6 jobs. This means that for every 10 robots introduced into the workforce, 16 jobs are lost. Hiring human workers over using autonomous machines can help to create more jobs and improve the overall economic situation.

In addition to the economic benefits, human workers offer several advantages over autonomous machines. Human workers are able to adapt to changing situations and problem-solve in a way that machines cannot. This is particularly important in industries where there is a high level of variability in the work being done.

Furthermore, the use of autonomous machines can lead to safety concerns in the workplace. While robots have become increasingly sophisticated, they are still prone to malfunctions and errors. In some cases, this can lead to workplace accidents and injuries. Human workers are able to identify potential safety hazards and take preventative measures to reduce the risk of accidents.

Although the use of autonomous machines has led to increased efficiency and productivity, their negative impact cannot be ignored. Hiring human workers over using autonomous machines can create jobs, improve the economy, and offer many more advantages. Additionally, the safety concerns associated with the use of autonomous machines highlight the importance of prioritizing human workers. Human workers are more adept at ensuring the well-being of the workforce and the economy as a whole. Therefore, they should be prioritized over machines.

We hope the above explanation and examples have clarified the basics of writing argumentative essays. As providers of essay editing services , we understand how writing good essays is not a piece of cake.

To help you write good essays, our team has created detailed resources. Continue reading to take your essay-writing skills to the next level!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of an argumentative essay, how does an effective argumentative essay address counterclaims, how to conclude an argumentative essay, what is an effective claim in an argumentative essay, how to start an argumentative essay, how to title an argumentative essay.

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Argumentative Essay Guide

Argumentative Essay Outline

Last updated on: Feb 9, 2023

How to Create a Strong Argumentative Essay Outline?

By: Jared P.

Reviewed By: Jacklyn H.

Published on: Oct 29, 2019

Don’t know how to create a strong outline for a convincing argumentative essay?

The outline for an argumentative essay is similar to other types of essays. These include informative essays, persuasive essays, compare and contrast essays, etc.

The outline for almost all types of essays includes an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. To start writing an impactful argumentative essay , you need a topic broad enough to create a strong argument.

In this article, you will learn how to develop a 5 paragraph argumentative essay outline.

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How to Create an Argumentative Essay Outline?

The standard argumentative essay outline includes the following elements.

Argumentative Essay Introduction

The introduction of your essay is the first thing your reader will see. This is where you provide the reader with the proper background information, educating them about your topic. The reader will decide from the very first sentence if he wants to continue reading your essay further or not.

The opening line of an essay is a hook that sticks the reader to the essay. If the introduction is not interesting, the reader might not continue with the essay.

Here are the key points you should keep in mind while writing the introduction of your argumentative essay.

Start With a Hook

Start your introduction with an interesting hook that engages your readers and wants them to stick to your essay. It is not necessary that you have to write an entire paragraph as the hook of your essay.

A single interesting sentence also counts as a hook. You can start your essay with an interesting fact, anecdote, funny story, statistics, or a controversial statement.

The hook you choose depends on the nature of the paper that you’re writing and your audience. Whatever you choose to write, make sure it is catchy to grab the attention of readers.

Check out this article to learn some interesting hook examples and their different types.

Explain Your Point of View

Now you have to develop your thoughts related to the topic and explain the significance of the topic to the readers. Explain this part of your essay according to your personal knowledge in a couple of lines in the introductory paragraph.

You can also present the background information on your topic. Making sure that the reader knows what will be discussed throughout the paper. Be careful when sharing information at this stage, as you don’t want to bombard the reader with too much data.

Write Down Your Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is the crux of your entire essay written at the end of the introductory paragraph. Write down a strong and clear thesis statement that can be backed by a supportive argument and evidence.

The thesis statement of your essay should explain the main point and purpose of writing your essay.

Your entire essay revolves around the thesis; the body paragraphs present information and evidence to defend your thesis.

Follow the tips mentioned above to write an interesting introduction for your argumentative essay.

It is no surprise that the introduction of any essay holds the most importance. If you start on the wrong foot, the entire essay, along with your hard work, goes in vain.

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Argumentative Essay Introduction Examples

To know more about writing a catchy introduction, review the following argumentative essay introduction examples.

After the terrorist attack on World Trade Towers on September 11, 2001, racial profiling was increased. According to the authorities, profiling is the only way to identify terrorists. Some airports started targeting people from a Middle-Eastern background, creating concern about the violation of civil rights. This tactic of screening didn’t seem to work, which made the authorities recommend the use of the National ID card. If every citizen carries his ID card along, it will make the screening process easier. And it will not target individuals based on their looks.
Nowadays, students wake up, check their phones, get ready and leave instantly for school or college without any breakfast. Some might believe that having breakfast is not essential to start their day with a healthy meal. Studies have shown that breakfast is the essential meal of your day, especially for students.
Most of the public workers around the globe are not given the right to freedom of expression. Not even when they are made to work day and night, violating their working rights. Lack of freedom of expression decreases their morale to perform well at work. Enforcing their right to strike and to speak against such violations will encourage them. Countries all over the world should encourage their workers to go on strike and speak out.

Argumentative Essay Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs of an argumentative essay hold the following significant components.

Counter-argument

Each body paragraph should contain a topic sentence that should then be explained in the paragraph with supporting details.

To present a strong argument, you can separate paragraphs to support or negate the thesis statement.

Present your arguments with supporting evidence to support your claim in one paragraph. Remember that you can’t just state your opinions about a particular issue or subject. To make a strong argument and change people's points of view, you must convince them using strong, authentic facts.

Present the opposing argument in the other paragraph by researching both points of view. Presenting both stances will strengthen the argument created in the essay. Refuting the counterargument will make yours seem more valid.

Another approach can be that first, you can use all the evidence to support your argument. After presenting your side of the argument, you can write a paragraph to refute the opposing side.

There is not a rule that should be applied when it comes to presenting an argument. The choice is yours. Make a decision and go for the method that would be easier for you while presenting your case to the readers.

Just be mindful when collecting the evidence. Only look for credible sources. Let’s look at this example of a claim and its supporting evidence.

Claim: Closing down fast-food chains can control the number of obese kids in the United States.

Evidence: “A ccording to the analysis of several studies in 2017, it is shown that the percentage of obese kids has increased 11 times from the year 1975. ”

Argumentative Essay Conclusion

The last component of a simple argumentative essay outline in the concluding paragraph. Your conclusion needs to be strong to provide closure to the entire argument presented in your essay.

The goal of a conclusion is to make the readers realize why you picked this topic and how significant it is. Restate your thesis statement and your stance on the topic in conclusion.

A strong conclusion leaves a strong impact on readers. This is the part that your reader will remember once he finishes reading the essay. End your essay with an impactful conclusion so that the audience understands and agrees with your point of view.

Argumentative Essay Conclusion Examples

Here are some argumentative essay conclusion examples to further clarify how to write the conclusion.

Physical punishment might be an effective way to discipline kids. However, parents should avoid using this method to a maximum extent. We live in a world where there is already enough violence around us. We don’t need any more of it, and that should start from home. Teach your children to be responsible without using violence.
Hence, we cannot say that adults are better learners than children. This quality may vary depending on the enthusiasm and motivational level. The learning capability of an individual cannot be generalized according to their age.
Sports play an important role in maintaining health. We will have a healthier society if people involve themselves in sports. However, we need to make sure that the sports we are playing are not threatening our lives. They should be challenging yet exciting.

Now you know everything there is about an argumentative essay outline. To make it easier for you, we have an argumentative essay outline sample to guide you through your essay.

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Argumentative Essay Outline Examples

Here, you can find a sample argumentative essay outline pdf that you can follow to craft a perfect argumentative essay. You can also find numerous argumentative essay examples online for help.

To make writing an outline of an argumentative essay easier, we have also attached a worksheet below. Complete it carefully, and you will master the art of argumentative writing.

Argumentative Essay Outline Worksheet

Argumentative Essay Outline Template

Argumentative Essay Outline Ap Lang

Argumentative Essay Outline Middle School

Argumentative Essay Outline High School

Argumentative Essay Outline College

Gun Control Argumentative Essay Outline

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MLA Argumentative Essay Outline

If you follow this guideline and the argumentative essay outline sample provided above, the writing process will become simpler. You can easily find some interesting and attention-grabbing argumentative essay topics online for a great start. Regardless of the essay topic, you will end up with a high-quality essay if you follow a proper guide.

While following an outline is important for writing argumentative essays, other essential steps must also be followed.

If you still need help, you can always contact a professional essay writer who will help you write a great essay.

At 5StarEssays.com, we can provide you with the best and on-time ‘ write essay for me? ’ help. Reach out to us and get the best essay writing help from experts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main goal of an argumentative essay.

The key purpose of writing an argumentative essay is to establish your position and support it with evidence and reasons.

Can you start an argumentative essay with a question?

Yes, you can either start your essay with a thesis statement or a rhetorical question.

How does evidence help an argumentative essay?

In an argumentative essay, evidence could be a fact, documentation, or testimony. It helps in strengthening the claims presented in the essay.

Masters Essay, Literature

Jared P. is a renowned author and writing service provider with over fifteen years of experience in the publishing industry. He has a Ph.D. degree in English Literature and has spent his entire career helping students achieve their academic goals by providing expert writing assistance.

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Essay Outline Templates

37 outstanding essay outline templates (argumentative, narrative, persuasive).

Writing an essay can seem like an overwhelming task, and planning beforehand is essential to success. An essay outline will help you to structure and organize your essay so that it flows coherently. Essay outlines work for all kinds of essays and will save you time and stress.

There are various different ways to structure an essay, and using an essay outline template allows you to decide on the best structure for your essay. Whether you want a balanced argument, or if you’re trying to persuade someone of your idea, then there will be an essay outline that works for you.

Table of Contents

1 Essay Outline Templates
2 What is an Essay Outline Template?
3 Essay Outline Examples
4 What Different Types of Essay Outline Templates Are Available?
5 Why are Essay Outlines important?
6 How Do You Structure an Outline for an Essay?
7 Essay Outline Samples
8 What is the Format of a Five-Paragraph Essay Outline?
9 How to Write an Effective Essay Outline
10 Free Essay Outlines
11 Create an Effective Outline Using an Essay Outline Template

You can download and print one of our free essay outline templates to help you plan the perfect essay.

What is an Essay Outline Template?

An essay outline template is essentially the essay plan. It provides students with a clear structure before they write their essay, including all of the main points that are necessary for their writing.

Planning an essay outline beforehand makes the process of essay writing a lot less daunting, providing students with a guideline to follow whilst writing their essays in detail. In the world of academic writing , an essay outline serves as a tool to organize and structure thoughts before delving into the actual writing process. Many students underestimate the significance of creating an essay outline, often resulting in disorganized and incomprehensible essays.

Essay Outline Examples

What Different Types of Essay Outline Templates Are Available?

Essay outlines can be used for any college essay, research papers, a contrast essay, speech writing, or an expository essay. There are a range of essay outline templates to use, and they vary depending on the style of essay you are writing. These include:

Argumentative essay outline
Narrative essay outline
Contrast essay outline
Literary analysis essay outline
Persuasive essay outline
Expository essay outline
College essay outline
Descriptive essay outline
Reflective essay outline

Depending on the purpose of your essay, there will be a different structure to suit your writing and your writing process. For example, an argumentative essay outline may follow a more traditional five-paragraph essay outline, while a literary analysis essay may follow a more detailed essay outline template.

Why are Essay Outlines important?

Of course, you can write an essay without planning. However, it will likely read as unstructured and lacking in coherence. Essays that follow an essay outline template present as more well-researched, clearer, and with a thoughtful structure throughout.

Planning makes perfect If you are writing to argue a point or explore a range of viewpoints, essay outlines are crucial to prepare before you begin writing in detail. Writing should not be an immediate, quick process; the best essays are drafted, re-drafted, edited, and finalized. If you use an essay outline, this will be reflected in the quality of your work. As a teacher, it is clear to me when students have not taken the time to plan their work. Their writing seems messy and rushed. Essay outlines provide structure and balance to any long piece of writing.
Save time during the writing process Planning is the hard part of essay writing. During the planning process, you will be brainstorming your ideas and cultivating your overall viewpoint or argument. This means that when you come to write the essay, those ideas are already there. All you need to do is formulate them into sentences and paragraphs. An essay outline makes the process of writing the essay itself so much simpler. With the essay outline template, you will have the bulk of your ideas and the structure of your essay there to follow. It will save you time when it comes to writing the essay out in full.

How Do You Structure an Outline for an Essay?

Depending on the assignment, essays can follow a range of structures, and there are many different ways to structure an essay outline.

Before you begin to structure your essay outline, there are a few things to consider:

Check your assignment guidelines . Your teacher or professor may have specified a certain number of words or pages for the essay, which can affect how you structure it.
Consider the purpose of the essay. Is it to argue, is it a persuasive essay, or is it to reflect upon something? This will greatly help you to form and structure your essay, as you may need to compare and contrast ideas throughout your writing.
Who is your audience? If this essay is purely for academic purposes, then your essay may follow a more traditional structure. However, if your essay is for a speech or a college application, then the structure may be more unconventional and include more of your own thoughts and experiences.

While there may be variations in essay outline structures depending on the specific requirements of the assignment, some general guidelines can be followed. You should edit and adjust your essay structure depending on the tone, audience, and purpose of your essay.

Typically, an effective essay outline comprises three primary sections: the introduction, the body paragraphs, and the conclusion. Each of these sections serves a unique purpose and contributes to the overall coherence of the essay.

Introduction The introduction section of an essay outline introduces the topic and provides relevant background information to engage the reader. It also includes the thesis statement, which presents the main argument or claim of the essay. To structure the introduction in the outline effectively, writers can utilize a hook to grab the reader’s attention, provide context, and end with a strong thesis statement.
Body Paragraphs The body paragraphs section of the essay outline supports the thesis statement with relevant evidence and arguments. The number of body paragraphs may vary depending on the required length of the essay. However, it is common to have three body paragraphs, each focused on a specific supporting point. In the outline, writers can include subpoints, evidence, and examples for each body paragraph to ensure a coherent and logical flow of ideas.
Conclusion The conclusion section of the essay outline summarises the main points discussed in the body paragraphs and restates the thesis statement. The conclusion should not be an afterthought in the essay writing process. This part of the essay helps to tie all of your ideas together and is reflective of a well-structured essay. It is crucial to end the essay on a strong note, leaving a lasting impression on the reader. To structure the conclusion in the outline, writers can briefly restate the thesis, review the main points, and provide a final thought or call to action.

Essay Outline Samples

What is the Format of a Five-Paragraph Essay Outline?

A five-paragraph essay outline is a common essay structure used for academic essays. It is particularly useful for shorter essays or beginners who are just starting to develop their writing skills. Many high school students or first-year college students benefit from following this structure.

The format consists of five paragraphs, as the name suggests – an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Introduction In the introduction of a five-paragraph essay outline, writers should begin with an attention-grabbing hook to capture the reader’s interest. This can be achieved through a relevant anecdote, a rhetorical question, or a shocking statistic. This helps to immediately capture the reader’s attention and begin the essay strong. Next, provide some background information on the topic and end the introduction with a clear thesis statement that encapsulates the main argument of the essay.
Body Paragraphs The three body paragraphs of a five-paragraph essay outline each focus on a specific supporting point, which aids in the development of the thesis statement. Start each body paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph. Following the topic sentence, writers should provide evidence, examples, or arguments to support the main point. It is essential to ensure a logical flow between paragraphs and maintain coherence throughout the essay. This can be done through the use of connectives at the start of each body paragraph, such as ‘Firstly,’ ‘Secondly,’ and ‘Furthermore.’
Conclusion The conclusion of a five-paragraph essay outline restates the thesis statement and summarizes the main points discussed in the body paragraphs. However, it is vital to avoid introducing new information in the conclusion. Instead, writers should provide a thought-provoking final statement or reinforce the significance of the essay topic.

How to Write an Effective Essay Outline

Each writer will have their own unique approach to essay writing, but preparing an essay outline does not require you to reinvent the wheel. You can follow these simple steps to craft an effective, useful, solid outline.

Read and Understand the Assignment Before beginning the outline, thoroughly read and understand the essay assignment, including any specific guidelines or requirements from the instructor. This will help in determining the length, topic, and structure of the essay. Understanding the assignment in detail also enables you to plan how you will carry out your preliminary research for the essay. Adaquete reading and preparation also helps you to establish the purpose of your essay, which will determine which essay outline template will work best for you.
Brainstorm and Organize Ideas Start with brainstorming ideas related to the topic. Here, you should establish the key points of the essay based on your research. Once ideas are generated, you can organize them into meaningful categories or subtopics. In an argumentative essay outline, for example, you will need to compare and contrast ideas. By placing all the main points into categories in an organized manner, you can create a logical flow within the essay, making it more engaging for the reader.
Choose an Appropriate Outline Format Decide on the outline format that best suits the specific essay requirements. Depending on the complexity of the topic, your essay may be formatted differently. An expository essay will differ from a research paper, for example, so be clear on which outline will work for you. It is also essential to decide on the number of main points to be included based on the required length of the essay. Sometimes it is best to discuss fewer points in greater detail, particularly for a literary analysis or narrative essay.
Develop Thesis Statement and Main Arguments Craft a strong and clear thesis statement that encapsulates the main argument or claim of the essay. Then, determine the main arguments or supporting points that will be discussed in the body paragraphs.
Organize Supporting Points and Supporting Evidence Arrange the main arguments in a logical order, keeping in mind the flow of ideas. Ensure that each supporting point is backed up by sufficient evidence or reasoning to strengthen the overall argument. This will also help you to write a strong conclusion to complete your essay.
Review and Revise After creating the initial essay outline, review and revise it to ensure coherence, logical flow, and adherence to the assignment requirements. Make necessary adjustments and rearrange the outline if needed. Then, you can start writing your essay by following the outline.

Free Essay Outlines

Create an Effective Outline Using an Essay Outline Template

Creating an essay outline is a crucial step in the writing process that should not be overlooked. Whether it’s an argumentative essay outline, a literary analysis essay outline, or a persuasive essay outline, an essay outline template can help you to structure and organize your points in a thoughtful and clear way.

By structuring an essay outline effectively, using the appropriate format for a five-paragraph essay, and following the steps to write an essay outline, writers can ensure a well-organized, coherent, and compelling essay. Utilizing an essay outline template not only enhances the writing quality but also saves time and effort in the long run.

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6 Paragraph Essay Outline

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Author Miriam M.

An essay is a piece of writing that presents and supports a thesis. It is a formal piece of writing that deals with a specific subject. Writing an essay requires you to make a case for the validity of a specific point of view, interpretation, analysis or a set of facts.

The following is a 6 paragraph essay outline:

Paragraph 1: Introduction

You should include the following in your introduction paragraph:

Hook . Include an interesting phrase, fact or short story to grab your readerâ€™s attention.
Background information. It is necessary that you provide enough information about your essayâ€™s topic to enable your reader to have a better understanding of your topic.
Thesis statement. Your thesis statement should state your essayâ€™s topic, make your essayâ€™s purpose clear and provide an overview of the main supporting points in your essay. Your thesis statement should be your last sentence in your introduction paragraph.
When writing in response to a text, your introduction should include the title, author and genre of the piece.

Paragraph 2: First Body Paragraph

The first body paragraph should:

Start with a topic sentence that identifies one main idea that you will discuss as support for the thesis statement.
Have supporting sentences. Use specific details, proved by giving closely related examples to explain the main ides. The paragraph should have at least five to eight sentences.
Include paragraph unity. All ideas in this paragraph should be closely related to the topic sentence in order to further develop that topic sentence. All sentences in a single paragraph must be closely tied around a central point.

Paragraph 3: Second Body Paragraph.

This paragraph and any subsequent body paragraph should begin with a topic sentence that indicates that you are introducing a new idea. Ensure that there is a connection between the paragraph and your ideas. This paragraph should include:

Transition words at the beginning of your body paragraph to move from one idea to the next within your essay.
Clear connections among the paragraphs.

Paragraph 4: Third Body Paragraph.

This paragraph like the second body paragraph should begin with a topic sentence that indicates that you are introducing a new idea. Ensure that there is a connection between the paragraph and your ideas. This paragraph should include:

Clear connections among the paragraphs

Paragraph 5: Fourth Body Paragraph

You should start off this paragraph with the final topic sentence that relates back to the remaining point mentioned in the thesis statement.
Provide proof for this main idea by giving specific examples, details, and relevant support.
Ensure that you maintain paragraph unity . Each sentence must relate to your topic sentence.

Paragraph 6: Conclusion

Your conclusion should restate the overall purpose for writing and prove to your readers why your ideas are important. Make sure not to introduce new, unrelated ideas in the conclusion. The conclusion should:

Restate your thesis statement. Ensure that you do not repeat the same words in your introduction or body paragraphs.
Summarize your major points.
Give the reader a final thought to think about.

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Knowledge Base
How to write an essay outline | Guidelines & examples

How to Write an Essay Outline | Guidelines & Examples

Published on August 14, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

An essay outline is a way of planning the structure of your essay before you start writing. It involves writing quick summary sentences or phrases for every point you will cover in each paragraph , giving you a picture of how your argument will unfold.

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Organizing your material, presentation of the outline, examples of essay outlines, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about essay outlines.

At the stage where you’re writing an essay outline, your ideas are probably still not fully formed. You should know your topic and have already done some preliminary research to find relevant sources , but now you need to shape your ideas into a structured argument.

Creating categories

Look over any information, quotes and ideas you’ve noted down from your research and consider the central point you want to make in the essay—this will be the basis of your thesis statement . Once you have an idea of your overall argument, you can begin to organize your material in a way that serves that argument.

Try to arrange your material into categories related to different aspects of your argument. If you’re writing about a literary text, you might group your ideas into themes; in a history essay, it might be several key trends or turning points from the period you’re discussing.

Three main themes or subjects is a common structure for essays. Depending on the length of the essay, you could split the themes into three body paragraphs, or three longer sections with several paragraphs covering each theme.

As you create the outline, look critically at your categories and points: Are any of them irrelevant or redundant? Make sure every topic you cover is clearly related to your thesis statement.

Order of information

When you have your material organized into several categories, consider what order they should appear in.

Your essay will always begin and end with an introduction and conclusion , but the organization of the body is up to you.

Consider these questions to order your material:

Is there an obvious starting point for your argument?
Is there one subject that provides an easy transition into another?
Do some points need to be set up by discussing other points first?

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Within each paragraph, you’ll discuss a single idea related to your overall topic or argument, using several points of evidence or analysis to do so.

In your outline, you present these points as a few short numbered sentences or phrases.They can be split into sub-points when more detail is needed.

The template below shows how you might structure an outline for a five-paragraph essay.

Thesis statement
First piece of evidence
Second piece of evidence
Summary/synthesis
Importance of topic
Strong closing statement

You can choose whether to write your outline in full sentences or short phrases. Be consistent in your choice; don’t randomly write some points as full sentences and others as short phrases.

Examples of outlines for different types of essays are presented below: an argumentative, expository, and literary analysis essay.

Argumentative essay outline

This outline is for a short argumentative essay evaluating the internet’s impact on education. It uses short phrases to summarize each point.

Its body is split into three paragraphs, each presenting arguments about a different aspect of the internet’s effects on education.

Importance of the internet
Concerns about internet use
Thesis statement: Internet use a net positive
Data exploring this effect
Analysis indicating it is overstated
Students’ reading levels over time
Why this data is questionable
Video media
Interactive media
Speed and simplicity of online research
Questions about reliability (transitioning into next topic)
Evidence indicating its ubiquity
Claims that it discourages engagement with academic writing
Evidence that Wikipedia warns students not to cite it
Argument that it introduces students to citation
Summary of key points
Value of digital education for students
Need for optimism to embrace advantages of the internet

Expository essay outline

This is the outline for an expository essay describing how the invention of the printing press affected life and politics in Europe.

The paragraphs are still summarized in short phrases here, but individual points are described with full sentences.

Claim that the printing press marks the end of the Middle Ages.
Provide background on the low levels of literacy before the printing press.
Present the thesis statement: The invention of the printing press increased circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation.
Discuss the very high levels of illiteracy in medieval Europe.
Describe how literacy and thus knowledge and education were mainly the domain of religious and political elites.
Indicate how this discouraged political and religious change.
Describe the invention of the printing press in 1440 by Johannes Gutenberg.
Show the implications of the new technology for book production.
Describe the rapid spread of the technology and the printing of the Gutenberg Bible.
Link to the Reformation.
Discuss the trend for translating the Bible into vernacular languages during the years following the printing press’s invention.
Describe Luther’s own translation of the Bible during the Reformation.
Sketch out the large-scale effects the Reformation would have on religion and politics.
Summarize the history described.
Stress the significance of the printing press to the events of this period.

Literary analysis essay outline

The literary analysis essay outlined below discusses the role of theater in Jane Austen’s novel Mansfield Park .

The body of the essay is divided into three different themes, each of which is explored through examples from the book.

Describe the theatricality of Austen’s works
Outline the role theater plays in Mansfield Park
Introduce the research question : How does Austen use theater to express the characters’ morality in Mansfield Park ?
Discuss Austen’s depiction of the performance at the end of the first volume
Discuss how Sir Bertram reacts to the acting scheme
Introduce Austen’s use of stage direction–like details during dialogue
Explore how these are deployed to show the characters’ self-absorption
Discuss Austen’s description of Maria and Julia’s relationship as polite but affectionless
Compare Mrs. Norris’s self-conceit as charitable despite her idleness
Summarize the three themes: The acting scheme, stage directions, and the performance of morals
Answer the research question
Indicate areas for further study

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You will sometimes be asked to hand in an essay outline before you start writing your essay . Your supervisor wants to see that you have a clear idea of your structure so that writing will go smoothly.

Even when you do not have to hand it in, writing an essay outline is an important part of the writing process . It’s a good idea to write one (as informally as you like) to clarify your structure for yourself whenever you are working on an essay.

If you have to hand in your essay outline , you may be given specific guidelines stating whether you have to use full sentences. If you’re not sure, ask your supervisor.

When writing an essay outline for yourself, the choice is yours. Some students find it helpful to write out their ideas in full sentences, while others prefer to summarize them in short phrases.

You should try to follow your outline as you write your essay . However, if your ideas change or it becomes clear that your structure could be better, it’s okay to depart from your essay outline . Just make sure you know why you’re doing so.

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Caulfield, J. (2023, July 23). How to Write an Essay Outline | Guidelines & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved August 29, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/essay-outline/

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3 Key Tips for How to Write an Argumentative Essay

General Education

If there’s one writing skill you need to have in your toolkit for standardized tests, AP exams, and college-level writing, it’s the ability to make a persuasive argument. Effectively arguing for a position on a topic or issue isn’t just for the debate team— it’s for anyone who wants to ace the essay portion of an exam or make As in college courses.

To give you everything you need to know about how to write an argumentative essay , we’re going to answer the following questions for you:

What is an argumentative essay?
How should an argumentative essay be structured?
How do I write a strong argument?
What’s an example of a strong argumentative essay?
What are the top takeaways for writing argumentative papers?

By the end of this article, you’ll be prepped and ready to write a great argumentative essay yourself!

Now, let’s break this down.

What Is an Argumentative Essay?

An argumentative essay is a type of writing that presents the writer’s position or stance on a specific topic and uses evidence to support that position. The goal of an argumentative essay is to convince your reader that your position is logical, ethical, and, ultimately, right . In argumentative essays, writers accomplish this by writing:

A clear, persuasive thesis statement in the introduction paragraph
Body paragraphs that use evidence and explanations to support the thesis statement
A paragraph addressing opposing positions on the topic—when appropriate
A conclusion that gives the audience something meaningful to think about.

Introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion: these are the main sections of an argumentative essay. Those probably sound familiar. Where does arguing come into all of this, though? It’s not like you’re having a shouting match with your little brother across the dinner table. You’re just writing words down on a page!

...or are you? Even though writing papers can feel like a lonely process, one of the most important things you can do to be successful in argumentative writing is to think about your argument as participating in a larger conversation . For one thing, you’re going to be responding to the ideas of others as you write your argument. And when you’re done writing, someone—a teacher, a professor, or exam scorer—is going to be reading and evaluating your argument.

If you want to make a strong argument on any topic, you have to get informed about what’s already been said on that topic . That includes researching the different views and positions, figuring out what evidence has been produced, and learning the history of the topic. That means—you guessed it!—argumentative essays almost always require you to incorporate outside sources into your writing.

What Makes Argumentative Essays Unique?

Argumentative essays are different from other types of essays for one main reason: in an argumentative essay, you decide what the argument will be . Some types of essays, like summaries or syntheses, don’t want you to show your stance on the topic—they want you to remain unbiased and neutral.

In argumentative essays, you’re presenting your point of view as the writer and, sometimes, choosing the topic you’ll be arguing about. You just want to make sure that that point of view comes across as informed, well-reasoned, and persuasive.

Another thing about argumentative essays: they’re often longer than other types of essays. Why, you ask? Because it takes time to develop an effective argument. If your argument is going to be persuasive to readers, you have to address multiple points that support your argument, acknowledge counterpoints, and provide enough evidence and explanations to convince your reader that your points are valid.

Our 3 Best Tips for Picking a Great Argumentative Topic

The first step to writing an argumentative essay deciding what to write about! Choosing a topic for your argumentative essay might seem daunting, though. It can feel like you could make an argument about anything under the sun. For example, you could write an argumentative essay about how cats are way cooler than dogs, right?

It’s not quite that simple . Here are some strategies for choosing a topic that serves as a solid foundation for a strong argument.

Choose a Topic That Can Be Supported With Evidence

First, you want to make sure the topic you choose allows you to make a claim that can be supported by evidence that’s considered credible and appropriate for the subject matter ...and, unfortunately, your personal opinions or that Buzzfeed quiz you took last week don’t quite make the cut.

Some topics—like whether cats or dogs are cooler—can generate heated arguments, but at the end of the day, any argument you make on that topic is just going to be a matter of opinion. You have to pick a topic that allows you to take a position that can be supported by actual, researched evidence.

(Quick note: you could write an argumentative paper over the general idea that dogs are better than cats—or visa versa!—if you’re a) more specific and b) choose an idea that has some scientific research behind it. For example, a strong argumentative topic could be proving that dogs make better assistance animals than cats do.)

You also don’t want to make an argument about a topic that’s already a proven fact, like that drinking water is good for you. While some people might dislike the taste of water, there is an overwhelming body of evidence that proves—beyond the shadow of a doubt—that drinking water is a key part of good health.

To avoid choosing a topic that’s either unprovable or already proven, try brainstorming some issues that have recently been discussed in the news, that you’ve seen people debating on social media, or that affect your local community. If you explore those outlets for potential topics, you’ll likely stumble upon something that piques your audience’s interest as well.

Choose a Topic That You Find Interesting

Topics that have local, national, or global relevance often also resonate with us on a personal level. Consider choosing a topic that holds a connection between something you know or care about and something that is relevant to the rest of society. These don’t have to be super serious issues, but they should be topics that are timely and significant.

For example, if you are a huge football fan, a great argumentative topic for you might be arguing whether football leagues need to do more to prevent concussions . Is this as “important” an issue as climate change? No, but it’s still a timely topic that affects many people. And not only is this a great argumentative topic: you also get to write about one of your passions! Ultimately, if you’re working with a topic you enjoy, you’ll have more to say—and probably write a better essay .

Choose a Topic That Doesn’t Get You Too Heated

Another word of caution on choosing a topic for an argumentative paper: while it can be effective to choose a topic that matters to you personally, you also want to make sure you’re choosing a topic that you can keep your cool over. You’ve got to be able to stay unemotional, interpret the evidence persuasively, and, when appropriate, discuss opposing points of view without getting too salty.

In some situations, choosing a topic for your argumentative paper won’t be an issue at all: the test or exam will choose it for you . In that case, you’ve got to do the best you can with what you’re given.

In the next sections, we’re going to break down how to write any argumentative essay —regardless of whether you get to choose your own topic or have one assigned to you! Our expert tips and tricks will make sure that you’re knocking your paper out of the park.

The Thesis: The Argumentative Essay’s Backbone

You’ve chosen a topic or, more likely, read the exam question telling you to defend, challenge, or qualify a claim on an assigned topic. What do you do now?

You establish your position on the topic by writing a killer thesis statement ! The thesis statement, sometimes just called “the thesis,” is the backbone of your argument, the north star that keeps you oriented as you develop your main points, the—well, you get the idea.

In more concrete terms, a thesis statement conveys your point of view on your topic, usually in one sentence toward the end of your introduction paragraph . It’s very important that you state your point of view in your thesis statement in an argumentative way—in other words, it should state a point of view that is debatable.

And since your thesis statement is going to present your argument on the topic, it’s the thing that you’ll spend the rest of your argumentative paper defending. That’s where persuasion comes in. Your thesis statement tells your reader what your argument is, then the rest of your essay shows and explains why your argument is logical.

Why does an argumentative essay need a thesis, though? Well, the thesis statement—the sentence with your main claim—is actually the entire point of an argumentative essay. If you don’t clearly state an arguable claim at the beginning of your paper, then it’s not an argumentative essay. No thesis statement = no argumentative essay. Got it?

Other types of essays that you’re familiar with might simply use a thesis statement to forecast what the rest of the essay is going to discuss or to communicate what the topic is. That’s not the case here. If your thesis statement doesn’t make a claim or establish your position, you’ll need to go back to the drawing board.

Example Thesis Statements

Here are a couple of examples of thesis statements that aren’t argumentative and thesis statements that are argumentative

The sky is blue.

The thesis statement above conveys a fact, not a claim, so it’s not argumentative.

To keep the sky blue, governments must pass clean air legislation and regulate emissions.

The second example states a position on a topic. What’s the topic in that second sentence? The best way to keep the sky blue. And what position is being conveyed? That the best way to keep the sky blue is by passing clean air legislation and regulating emissions.

Some people would probably respond to that thesis statement with gusto: “No! Governments should not pass clean air legislation and regulate emissions! That infringes on my right to pollute the earth!” And there you have it: a thesis statement that presents a clear, debatable position on a topic.

Here’s one more set of thesis statement examples, just to throw in a little variety:

Spirituality and otherworldliness characterize A$AP Rocky’s portrayals of urban life and the American Dream in his rap songs and music videos.

The statement above is another example that isn’t argumentative, but you could write a really interesting analytical essay with that thesis statement. Long live A$AP! Now here’s another one that is argumentative:

To give students an understanding of the role of the American Dream in contemporary life, teachers should incorporate pop culture, like the music of A$AP Rocky, into their lessons and curriculum.

The argument in this one? Teachers should incorporate more relevant pop culture texts into their curriculum.

This thesis statement also gives a specific reason for making the argument above: To give students an understanding of the role of the American Dream in contemporary life. If you can let your reader know why you’re making your argument in your thesis statement, it will help them understand your argument better.

An actual image of you killing your argumentative essay prompts after reading this article!

Breaking Down the Sections of An Argumentative Essay

Now that you know how to pick a topic for an argumentative essay and how to make a strong claim on your topic in a thesis statement, you’re ready to think about writing the other sections of an argumentative essay. These are the parts that will flesh out your argument and support the claim you made in your thesis statement.

Like other types of essays, argumentative essays typically have three main sections: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. Within those sections, there are some key elements that a reader—and especially an exam scorer or professor—is always going to expect you to include.

Let’s look at a quick outline of those three sections with their essential pieces here:

Introduction paragraph with a thesis statement (which we just talked about)
Support Point #1 with evidence
Explain/interpret the evidence with your own, original commentary (AKA, the fun part!)
Support Point #2 with evidence
Explain/interpret the evidence with your own, original commentary
Support Point #3 with evidence
New paragraph addressing opposing viewpoints (more on this later!)
Concluding paragraph

Now, there are some key concepts in those sections that you’ve got to understand if you’re going to master how to write an argumentative essay. To make the most of the body section, you have to know how to support your claim (your thesis statement), what evidence and explanations are and when you should use them, and how and when to address opposing viewpoints. To finish strong, you’ve got to have a strategy for writing a stellar conclusion.

This probably feels like a big deal! The body and conclusion make up most of the essay, right? Let’s get down to it, then.

How to Write a Strong Argument

Once you have your topic and thesis, you’re ready for the hard part: actually writing your argument. If you make strategic choices—like the ones we’re about to talk about—writing a strong argumentative essay won’t feel so difficult.

There are three main areas where you want to focus your energy as you develop a strategy for how to write an argumentative essay: supporting your claim—your thesis statement—in your essay, addressing other viewpoints on your topic, and writing a solid conclusion. If you put thought and effort into these three things, you’re much more likely to write an argumentative essay that’s engaging, persuasive, and memorable...aka A+ material.

Focus Area 1: Supporting Your Claim With Evidence and Explanations

So you’ve chosen your topic, decided what your position will be, and written a thesis statement. But like we see in comment threads across the Internet, if you make a claim and don’t back it up with evidence, what do people say? “Where’s your proof?” “Show me the facts!” “Do you have any evidence to support that claim?”

Of course you’ve done your research like we talked about. Supporting your claim in your thesis statement is where that research comes in handy.

You can’t just use your research to state the facts, though. Remember your reader? They’re going to expect you to do some of the dirty work of interpreting the evidence for them. That’s why it’s important to know the difference between evidence and explanations, and how and when to use both in your argumentative essay.

What Evidence Is and When You Should Use It

Evidence can be material from any authoritative and credible outside source that supports your position on your topic. In some cases, evidence can come in the form of photos, video footage, or audio recordings. In other cases, you might be pulling reasons, facts, or statistics from news media articles, public policy, or scholarly books or journals.

There are some clues you can look for that indicate whether or not a source is credible , such as whether:

The website where you found the source ends in .edu, .gov, or .org
The source was published by a university press
The source was published in a peer-reviewed journal
The authors did extensive research to support the claims they make in the source

This is just a short list of some of the clues that a source is likely a credible one, but just because a source was published by a prestigious press or the authors all have PhDs doesn’t necessarily mean it is the best piece of evidence for you to use to support your argument.

In addition to evaluating the source’s credibility, you’ve got to consider what types of evidence might come across as most persuasive in the context of the argument you’re making and who your readers are. In other words, stepping back and getting a bird’s eye view of the entire context of your argumentative paper is key to choosing evidence that will strengthen your argument.

On some exams, like the AP exams , you may be given pretty strict parameters for what evidence to use and how to use it. You might be given six short readings that all address the same topic, have 15 minutes to read them, then be required to pull material from a minimum of three of the short readings to support your claim in an argumentative essay.

When the sources are handed to you like that, be sure to take notes that will help you pick out evidence as you read. Highlight, underline, put checkmarks in the margins of your exam . . . do whatever you need to do to begin identifying the material that you find most helpful or relevant. Those highlights and check marks might just turn into your quotes, paraphrases, or summaries of evidence in your completed exam essay.

What Explanations Are and When You Should Use Them

Now you know that taking a strategic mindset toward evidence and explanations is critical to grasping how to write an argumentative essay. Unfortunately, evidence doesn’t speak for itself. While it may be obvious to you, the researcher and writer, how the pieces of evidence you’ve included are relevant to your audience, it might not be as obvious to your reader.

That’s where explanations—or analysis, or interpretations—come in. You never want to just stick some quotes from an article into your paragraph and call it a day. You do want to interpret the evidence you’ve included to show your reader how that evidence supports your claim.

Now, that doesn’t mean you’re going to be saying, “This piece of evidence supports my argument because...”. Instead, you want to comment on the evidence in a way that helps your reader see how it supports the position you stated in your thesis. We’ll talk more about how to do this when we show you an example of a strong body paragraph from an argumentative essay here in a bit.

Understanding how to incorporate evidence and explanations to your advantage is really important. Here’s why: when you’re writing an argumentative essay, particularly on standardized tests or the AP exam, the exam scorers can’t penalize you for the position you take. Instead, their evaluation is going to focus on the way you incorporated evidence and explained it in your essay.

Focus Area 2: How—and When—to Address Other Viewpoints

Why would we be making arguments at all if there weren’t multiple views out there on a given topic? As you do research and consider the background surrounding your topic, you’ll probably come across arguments that stand in direct opposition to your position.

Oftentimes, teachers will ask you to “address the opposition” in your argumentative essay. What does that mean, though, to “ address the opposition ?”

Opposing viewpoints function kind of like an elephant in the room. Your audience knows they’re there. In fact, your audience might even buy into an opposing viewpoint and be waiting for you to show them why your viewpoint is better. If you don’t, it means that you’ll have a hard time convincing your audience to buy your argument.

Addressing the opposition is a balancing act: you don’t want to undermine your own argument, but you don’t want to dismiss the validity of opposing viewpoints out-of-hand or ignore them altogether, which can also undermine your argument.

This isn’t the only acceptable approach, but it’s common practice to wait to address the opposition until close to the end of an argumentative essay. But why?

Well, waiting to present an opposing viewpoint until after you’ve thoroughly supported your own argument is strategic. You aren’t going to go into great detail discussing the opposing viewpoint: you’re going to explain what that viewpoint is fairly, but you’re also going to point out what’s wrong with it.

It can also be effective to read the opposition through the lens of your own argument and the evidence you’ve used to support it. If the evidence you’ve already included supports your argument, it probably doesn’t support the opposing viewpoint. Without being too obvious, it might be worth pointing this out when you address the opposition.

Focus Area #3: Writing the Conclusion

It’s common to conclude an argumentative essay by reiterating the thesis statement in some way, either by reminding the reader what the overarching argument was in the first place or by reviewing the main points and evidence that you covered.

You don’t just want to restate your thesis statement and review your main points and call it a day, though. So much has happened since you stated your thesis in the introduction! And why waste a whole paragraph—the very last thing your audience is going to read—on just repeating yourself?

Here’s an approach to the conclusion that can give your audience a fresh perspective on your argument: reinterpret your thesis statement for them in light of all the evidence and explanations you’ve provided. Think about how your readers might read your thesis statement in a new light now that they’ve heard your whole argument out.

That’s what you want to leave your audience with as you conclude your argumentative paper: a brief explanation of why all that arguing mattered in the first place. If you can give your audience something to continue pondering after they’ve read your argument, that’s even better.

One thing you want to avoid in your conclusion, though: presenting new supporting points or new evidence. That can just be confusing for your reader. Stick to telling your reader why the argument you’ve already made matters, and your argument will stick with your reader.

A Strong Argumentative Essay: Examples

For some aspiring argumentative essay writers, showing is better than telling. To show rather than tell you what makes a strong argumentative essay, we’ve provided three examples of possible body paragraphs for an argumentative essay below.

Think of these example paragraphs as taking on the form of the “Argumentative Point #1 → Evidence —> Explanation —> Repeat” process we talked through earlier. It’s always nice to be able to compare examples, so we’ve included three paragraphs from an argumentative paper ranging from poor (or needs a lot of improvement, if you’re feeling generous), to better, to best.

All of the example paragraphs are for an essay with this thesis statement:

Thesis Statement: In order to most effectively protect user data and combat the spread of disinformation, the U.S. government should implement more stringent regulations of Facebook and other social media outlets.

As you read the examples, think about what makes them different, and what makes the “best” paragraph more effective than the “better” and “poor” paragraphs. Here we go:

A Poor Argument

Example Body Paragraph: Data mining has affected a lot of people in recent years. Facebook has 2.23 billion users from around the world, and though it would take a huge amount of time and effort to make sure a company as big as Facebook was complying with privacy regulations in countries across the globe, adopting a common framework for privacy regulation in more countries would be the first step. In fact, Mark Zuckerberg himself supports adopting a global framework for privacy and data protection, which would protect more users than before.

What’s Wrong With This Example?

First, let’s look at the thesis statement. Ask yourself: does this make a claim that some people might agree with, but others might disagree with?

The answer is yes. Some people probably think that Facebook should be regulated, while others might believe that’s too much government intervention. Also, there are definitely good, reliable sources out there that will help this writer prove their argument. So this paper is off to a strong start!

Unfortunately, this writer doesn’t do a great job proving their thesis in their body paragraph. First, the topic sentence—aka the first sentence of the paragraph—doesn’t make a point that directly supports the position stated in the thesis. We’re trying to argue that government regulation will help protect user data and combat the spread of misinformation, remember? The topic sentence should make a point that gets right at that, instead of throwing out a random fact about data mining.

Second, because the topic sentence isn’t focused on making a clear point, the rest of the paragraph doesn’t have much relevant information, and it fails to provide credible evidence that supports the claim made in the thesis statement. For example, it would be a great idea to include exactly what Mark Zuckerberg said ! So while there’s definitely some relevant information in this paragraph, it needs to be presented with more evidence.

A Better Argument

This paragraph is a bit better than the first one, but it still needs some work. The topic sentence is a bit too long, and it doesn’t make a point that clearly supports the position laid out in the thesis statement. The reader already knows that mining user data is a big issue, so the topic sentence would be a great place to make a point about why more stringent government regulations would most effectively protect user data.

There’s also a problem with how the evidence is incorporated in this example. While there is some relevant, persuasive evidence included in this paragraph, there’s no explanation of why or how it is relevant . Remember, you can’t assume that your evidence speaks for itself: you have to interpret its relevance for your reader. That means including at least a sentence that tells your reader why the evidence you’ve chosen proves your argument.

A Best—But Not Perfect!—Argument

Example Body Paragraph: Though Facebook claims to be implementing company policies that will protect user data and stop the spread of misinformation , its attempts have been unsuccessful compared to those made by the federal government. When PricewaterhouseCoopers conducted a Federal Trade Commission-mandated assessment of Facebook’s partnerships with Microsoft and the makers of the Blackberry handset in 2013, the team found limited evidence that Facebook had monitored or even checked that its partners had complied with Facebook’s existing data use policies. In fact, Facebook’s own auditors confirmed the PricewaterhouseCoopers findings, despite the fact that Facebook claimed that the company was making greater attempts to safeguard users’ personal information. In contrast, bills written by Congress have been more successful in changing Facebook’s practices than Facebook’s own company policies have. According to The Washington Post, The Honest Ads Act of 2017 “created public demand for transparency and changed how social media companies disclose online political advertising.” These policy efforts, though thus far unsuccessful in passing legislation, have nevertheless pushed social media companies to change some of their practices by sparking public outrage and negative media attention.

Why This Example Is The Best

This paragraph isn’t perfect, but it is the most effective at doing some of the things that you want to do when you write an argumentative essay.

First, the topic sentences get to the point . . . and it’s a point that supports and explains the claim made in the thesis statement! It gives a clear reason why our claim in favor of more stringent government regulations is a good claim : because Facebook has failed to self-regulate its practices.

This paragraph also provides strong evidence and specific examples that support the point made in the topic sentence. The evidence presented shows specific instances in which Facebook has failed to self-regulate, and other examples where the federal government has successfully influenced regulation of Facebook’s practices for the better.

Perhaps most importantly, though, this writer explains why the evidence is important. The bold sentence in the example is where the writer links the evidence back to their opinion. In this case, they explain that the pressure from Federal Trade Commission and Congress—and the threat of regulation—have helped change Facebook for the better.

Why point out that this isn’t a perfect paragraph, though? Because you won’t be writing perfect paragraphs when you’re taking timed exams either. But get this: you don’t have to write perfect paragraphs to make a good score on AP exams or even on an essay you write for class. Like in this example paragraph, you just have to effectively develop your position by appropriately and convincingly relying on evidence from good sources.

Top 3 Takeaways For Writing Argumentative Essays

This is all great information, right? If (when) you have to write an argumentative essay, you’ll be ready. But when in doubt, remember these three things about how to write an argumentative essay, and you’ll emerge victorious:

Takeaway #1: Read Closely and Carefully

This tip applies to every aspect of writing an argumentative essay. From making sure you’re addressing your prompt, to really digging into your sources, to proofreading your final paper...you’ll need to actively and pay attention! This is especially true if you’re writing on the clock, like during an AP exam.

Takeaway #2: Make Your Argument the Focus of the Essay

Define your position clearly in your thesis statement and stick to that position! The thesis is the backbone of your paper, and every paragraph should help prove your thesis in one way or another. But sometimes you get to the end of your essay and realize that you’ve gotten off topic, or that your thesis doesn’t quite fit. Don’t worry—if that happens, you can always rewrite your thesis to fit your paper!

Takeaway #3: Use Sources to Develop Your Argument—and Explain Them

Nothing is as powerful as good, strong evidence. First, make sure you’re finding credible sources that support your argument. Then you can paraphrase, briefly summarize, or quote from your sources as you incorporate them into your paragraphs. But remember the most important part: you have to explain why you’ve chosen that evidence and why it proves your thesis.

What's Next?

Once you’re comfortable with how to write an argumentative essay, it’s time to learn some more advanced tips and tricks for putting together a killer argument.

Keep in mind that argumentative essays are just one type of essay you might encounter. That’s why we’ve put together more specific guides on how to tackle IB essays , SAT essays , and ACT essays .

But what about admissions essays? We’ve got you covered. Not only do we have comprehensive guides to the Coalition App and Common App essays, we also have tons of individual college application guides, too . You can search through all of our college-specific posts by clicking here.

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Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.

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How to Write an Essay Outline: Examples, FAQs & Tips

An essay outline is a structured plan that organizes the main points and supporting details of an essay before writing. It guides the flow of ideas and ensures that each section of the essay is logically connected and coherent.

In this article, we'll walk you through the steps to build a strong essay outline. You'll discover how to define your thesis, arrange your main points, and structure your outline for clarity and effectiveness. If you're still having trouble putting your outline together after reading this, EssayService can provide expert help to make sure your essay is well-structured and persuasive!

Basic Elements of an Essay

An essay begins with an introduction, which is followed by one or more body paragraphs that expand on the points introduced. It ends with a conclusion that restates the thesis and summarizes the main ideas from the body paragraphs.

Introduction

The introduction of an essay introduces the topic and engages the reader from the start. It usually starts with a hook—a statement or question that grabs attention. After the hook, some background information is given to provide context for the topic.

The introduction ends with a thesis statement, which clearly presents the main argument or purpose of the essay. This section not only introduces the topic but also outlines what the essay will cover, setting the tone for what follows.

Avoid these pitfalls:

Don't try to cover too much ground in your introduction.
Avoid vagueness. Be specific and precise in your language.

Body Paragraphs

The body of the essay is where your main ideas and arguments take shape. Each paragraph should open with a topic sentence that clearly states the main point. This is followed by supporting details like evidence, examples, and analysis that back up the topic sentence.

Smooth transitions between paragraphs are key to maintaining a logical flow throughout the essay. Together, the body paragraphs build and support the thesis by adding depth and detail to your argument.

Remember these tips for effective body paragraphs:

Begin each paragraph with a clear and concise topic sentence.
Use specific examples, facts, or quotes to support your point.
Explain why the evidence is important and how it relates to your argument.

The conclusion of an essay wraps up the argument and reinforces the thesis. It usually starts by restating the thesis and reflecting on the discussion and evidence presented in the body paragraphs. A brief summary of the main points follows, highlighting the key arguments made throughout the essay.

The conclusion should close with a final thought or call to action, leaving the reader with something to think about or a sense of closure. The aim is to make a lasting impression that emphasizes the importance of the essay's conclusions.

Remember these tips:

Briefly recap the key arguments you've made.
Leave the reader with a thought-provoking final sentence or a call to action.
Don't introduce any new ideas or arguments in your conclusion.

How to Write an Essay Outline?

Now, let's dive into the heart of this article and show you how to write an essay outline in just four smart steps:

Determining your thesis and key arguments
Organizing points into sections
Adding supporting details
Drafting a rough outline

Determine Your Thesis and Key Arguments

Your thesis should present a specific point of view or a central idea that your essay will support or explore. Here's how to identify your thesis:

Ask a question: What is the main point you want to convey?
Brainstorm: Jot down ideas related to your topic.
Refine your ideas: Narrow down your focus and develop a clear argument.

Once you have your thesis, identify the main points that support it. These points should be logical, relevant, and comprehensive.

Divide your thesis: Break down your thesis into its key components.
Create a mind map: Visually organize your ideas.
Ask yourself questions: What are the main reasons for your argument? What evidence supports your claims?

Group Main Ideas into Sections

The best way to organize your main points when writing an essay outline depends on the specific topic and purpose of your essay. Experiment with different arrangements to find the one that works best for you. Here are some strategies for organizing your main points:

	Use this when	Example
Chronological Order	Your essay is about a sequence of events or a process.	An essay about the history of the French Revolution could be organized chronologically, starting with the causes and ending with the aftermath.
Spatial Order	Your essay is describing a physical space or object.	An essay about the architecture of the Colosseum could be organized spatially, moving from the exterior to the interior.
Order of Importance	Your main points vary in significance.	An essay arguing for stricter gun control laws might begin with the most compelling argument and end with the least compelling.
Compare and Contrast Order	Your essay examines similarities and differences between two or more things.	An essay comparing the philosophies of Plato and Aristotle could be organized by alternating between points of similarity and difference.

Add Details to Each Main Idea

When working on your essay outline, remember to choose supporting details that are relevant, specific, and convincing. The more evidence you can provide, the stronger your arguments will be. Consider these tips for developing supporting details for each one.

Provide examples: "For example, the Great Depression led to a significant increase in homelessness and poverty."
Cite expert opinions: "As the renowned historian, Eric Hobsbawm, once said, 'The French Revolution was a watershed moment in European history.'"
Make comparisons and contrasts: "While both cats and dogs make excellent pets, cats are generally more independent, while dogs are more social."
Offer definitions: "A democracy is a form of government in which the people have the power to elect their leaders."

Make a Rough Outline

Once you've developed supporting details for each main point, you're ready to create a draft outline. This outline will serve as a roadmap for your essay, guiding you through the writing process.

Here's a basic outline template:

Background information
Thesis statement

Body Paragraph 1

Topic sentence
Supporting detail 1
Supporting detail 2
Supporting detail 3

Body Paragraph 2

Body Paragraph 3

Restate thesis
Summarize key points
Final thought

Remember to:

Use consistent formatting: Indent supporting details.
Label sections clearly: Use Roman numerals for main points and letters for supporting details.
Be flexible: Adjust your outline as needed to accommodate new ideas or changes in your argument.

Essay Outline Examples

Now that you have an understanding of the basic structure of an essay outline let's explore some specific examples tailored to different essay genres. Remember, these are just templates, and you should feel free to adapt each essay outline example to fit your unique needs and writing style.

Argumentative Essay Outline

I. Introduction

Hook: A captivating opening sentence to grab the reader's attention.
Background information: Relevant context to the topic.
Thesis statement: A clear and concise statement of your argument.

II. Body Paragraph 1

Topic sentence: The main point of this paragraph.
Supporting evidence: Facts, statistics, examples, or expert opinions to support your argument.
Explanation: Analysis of the evidence and its relevance to your thesis.

III. Body Paragraph 2

Topic sentence: The second main point of your argument.
Supporting evidence: Facts, statistics, examples, or expert opinions.

IV. Body Paragraph 3

Topic sentence: The third main point of your argument.

V. Counterargument

Acknowledge opposing viewpoint: Briefly mention a counterargument.
Refute counterargument: Provide evidence or reasoning to disprove the opposing viewpoint.

VI. Conclusion

Restate thesis: Reiterate your main argument.
Summarize key points: Briefly recap the main supporting points.
Final thought: Leave the reader with a memorable and impactful statement.

Expository Essay Outline

A. Hook: Start with an engaging statement or fact to grab the reader's attention.
B. Background Information: Provide context or background information necessary for understanding the topic.
C. Thesis Statement: Clearly state the main point or purpose of the essay.
A. Topic Sentence: Introduce the main idea of the paragraph.
B. Explanation/Detail: Provide a detailed explanation or description of the first point.
C. Evidence/Example: Include evidence or examples to support the explanation.
D. Analysis: Explain how the evidence or example supports the topic sentence.
B. Explanation/Detail: Provide a detailed explanation or description of the second point.
B. Explanation/Detail: Provide a detailed explanation or description of the third point.

V. Conclusion

A. Restate Thesis: Restate the thesis in a new way, summarizing the main points of the essay.
B. Summary of Main Points: Briefly summarize the key points discussed in the body paragraphs.
C. Final Thought: End with a concluding statement that reinforces the significance of the topic or provides a closing thought.

Persuasive Essays Outline

Background information: Provide context or history related to your topic.
Thesis statement: Clearly state your argument or position.
Main argument: Present your strongest argument in support of your thesis.
Supporting evidence: Use facts, statistics, examples, or expert opinions to back up your argument.
Counterargument: Briefly acknowledge an opposing viewpoint.
Rebuttal: Refute the counterargument with evidence or reasoning.
Main argument: Present your second strongest argument in support of your thesis.
Main argument: Present your third strongest argument in support of your thesis.
Restate thesis: Briefly rephrase your argument.
Summarize key points: Recap the main supporting arguments.
Call to action: Encourage the reader to take a specific action or adopt a particular viewpoint.

Final Words

As we sum up this article, let's recap the main steps for writing an outline:

Determine the main argument or purpose of your essay.
Break down your thesis into key ideas or arguments.
Group related ideas together under clear headings.
Include evidence, examples, and explanations for each main point.
Arrange everything in a logical order, ensuring a smooth flow from one section to the next.

To ensure your writing is well-structured and effective, rely on EssayService, which is here to help with any type of essay.

Frequently asked questions

Linford, J. (2014). Essay Planning: Outlining with a Purpose What Is an Outline? How Do I Develop an Outline? https://www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter/docs/handouts/Essay%20Planning%20-%20Outlining.pdf
‌ Writing an Outline for your essay | MacOdrum Library . (n.d.). Library.carleton.ca . https://library.carleton.ca/guides/help/writing-outline-your-essay

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Argumentative Essay Outline | Structure Your Essay In 5 Steps

Argumentative Essay Outline - Classic Pattern

Steps to Write an Argumentative Essay Outline

Step 1: Choose a Topic and Develop a Thesis Statement

Step 2: Structure Your Introduction

Step 3: Extract Key Points for Body Paragraphs

Step 4: Gather Counterarguments and Rebuttals

Step 5: Outline Conclusion

Argumentative Essay Outline Examples

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the structure of the argumentative essay?

What is the 5 paragraph format for an argumentative essay?

Keep reading

Learn How to Write an Argumentative Essay Outline

How to Write an Argumentative Essay Outline?

Argumentative Essay Introduction

Argumentative Essay Body Paragraphs

Argumentative Essay Conclusion

Types of Arguments

Rogerian Argument

Rogerian Argumentative Essay Outline Template

Toulmin Argument

Toulmin Argumentative Essay Outline Template

Classical Argument

Classical Argumentative Essay Outline Template

Argumentative Essay Outline Examples

Frequently Asked Questions

What are good topics to write an argumentative essay?

Keep reading

Argumentative Essay – Outline, Form, and Examples

Argumentative essay outline

How to write an argumentative essay

Argumentative essay introduction

Argumentative essay thesis

Argumentative essay body paragraphs

Argumentative essay conclusion

Argumentative essay examples

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Table of Contents

Once you are done with these steps, this is what your structure will look like

Socialism ensures fairness and equality

Capitalism can be better for economy

Socialism can create a stable economy and society

Socialism enhances living standards and reduces business fluctuations

This is what your outline will look like

1. Identify the topic

2. Define the objective

3. Craft the thesis

4. Main points

5. Sub-points

6. Evidence and citations

7. Introduction and hook

8. Conclusion

9. Transitions

10. Refine and review

Persuasive Essay Outline – Examples, Templates & Structure

What Is a Persuasive Essay?

Why Write a Persuasive Essay?

Argumentative vs. Persuasive Essay

How Many Paragraphs in a Persuasive Essay?

Introduction of a Persuasive Essay Example

A Persuasive Essay Structure

Tips for Persuasive Writing

Persuasive Essay Topic Ideas

Example of a Persuasive Essay

Body Paragraph 1: Convenience

Body Paragraph 2: Customization

Body Paragraph 3: Affordability

Body Paragraph 4: Environmentally Friendly

Now Write Your Persuasive Essay!

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8 Effective Strategies to Write Argumentative Essays

“What is an Argumentative Essay?”

“When is an Argumentative Essay Written?”

1. Academic assignments

2. Debates and discussions

3. Opinion pieces