7 Ways to Develop an Argument in an Essay
Writing an essay is, fundamentally, a case of arguing a point. But unlike when two feuding wrestlers meet in the ring, ‘arguing’ here doesn’t mean shouting at someone you disagree with. Rather, you need to develop a clear and coherent argument step by step.
1. The Basic Structure of an Argument
At its most basic, an argument is a conclusion that follows logically from a set of premises. A premise is an idea or fact, while the conclusion is a claim that follows from a set of facts:
Premise One: Dwayne Johnson is a man.
Premise Two: All men are mortal.
Conclusion: Dwayne Johnson is mortal.
Here, for instance, we have to accept the conclusion as long as we accept the premises as true. Not all arguments are this simple, but the important thing is that your conclusion should clearly follow from the argument that precedes it.
The Rock, contemplating his mortality.
(Photo: David Shankbone/wikimedia)
2. Identify Your Claim
When developing an argument, your first step should be clearly identifying what you are arguing. This may require setting out a research question and/or hypotheses to be tested, but in shorter essays it will usually just involve explaining what you hope to prove.
3. Know the Main Points in Your Argument
Once you’
For instance, if your main claim is that Dwayne Johson revolutionised professional wrestling, you might want to focus on several different things: Johnson being part of the Anoa’i family, the popularity of the ‘People’s Elbow’, and the enduring influence of The Rock.
Find this useful?
Subscribe to our newsletter and get writing tips from our editors straight to your inbox.
(Photo: Megan Elice Meadows/wikimedia)
4. Structure Your Argument Carefully
The next step is linking the points in your argument. This means that you should discuss them in a logical order, drawing connections between them wherever possible.
For instance, in our essay about The Rock, we’d want to address each point in the order set out above, since Johnson’s connection to an established wrestling dynasty led to his career. His popularity then drew new people to wrestling, influencing the modern industry.
5. Use Evidence
Simply claiming that Dwayne Johnson revolutionised the world of professional wrestling isn’t enough. To argue convincingly, we’d need to provide evidence of how this happened.
In an academic essay, this usually means drawing upon past research (e.g. existing studies about wrestling) or experimental data (e.g. a questionnaire about the popularity of The Rock) to support each point we make. Without evidence, all we have is an unsupported claim.
6. Consider Counterarguments
Another aspect of developing your argument is considering possible counterarguments. This allows you to address potential objections to the point you’re making pre-emptively.
For instance, in the case of Johnson’s influence on wrestling, we might consider other factors that contributed to its popularity in the ‘90s and ‘00s. Or just how terrible his films are.
The Rock and Hulk Hogan, here seen arguing over whether The Tooth Fairy was worse than Mr Nanny.
(Photo: Miguel Discart/wikimedia)
7. Have a Clear Conclusion
As with the basic argument at the start of this list, the conclusion of your essay should follow clearly from the preceding points (your ‘premises’). The crucial thing here is to show how your claim is supported by the evidence you’ve presented in your essay.
This requires more than just summarising your argument. Instead, try to explain how each point works with the others to contribute to your argument as a whole.
There’ Conclusion: Dwayne Johnson is mortal. Because Clause #1: because a rail system will greatly reduce highway congestion, resulting in lower automobile fatalities.
Simple Steps to Organize an Argument Essay
You’ve created a strong thesis statement, you’ve compiled your research, you may have even written your intro, but where do you go from here? Are you stumped about how exactly to put all of this information together?
Organizing a long research paper can be a daunting task, but fear not! Read on for a quick and easy way to lay out your argument essay. This organization method is only one option, and your instructor may have a preferred method, but if you are lost, this is a great road map to get you unstuck.
Start with Your Thesis
To begin, you’ll need to write down your thesis statement.
Thesis: The US should implement a cross-country high-speed rail system.
Now you have to answer the big question: Why should the US implement a cross-country high-speed rail system?
Reasoning out an Argument
Answering this question in a series of what we’ll refer to as “because clauses,” will fill out the body of your paper. These will be the reasons why your audience should support your position. Let’s pick three strong reasons, and list them here:
Thesis: The US should implement a cross-country high-speed rail system because. . .
Because Clause #1: because a rail system will greatly reduce highway congestion, resulting in lower automobile fatalities.
Because Clause #2: because a rail system will serve the poor population who cannot afford the cost of owning and maintaining a car.
Because Clause #3: because a national rail system will greatly reduce automobile emissions and be more environmentally friendly.
As you can see, each because clause smoothly follows the thesis statement. You should be able to combine the thesis with each because clause in one succinct, logical sentence. These three (or four) reasons or because clauses, as well as the information and research you include to support these reasons, will constitute the majority of your paper.
Once you decide on what your reasons will be and what research you’ll use to support each reason, you’ll simply begin to lay them out after your introduction. Organize your paper by following your reasons, keeping each “because” reason in its own paragraph/s. In other words, don’t talk about information related to because clause #1 in the paragraph for because clause #3.
Think of the body of your essay as a train
Including Opposition and Rebuttal
After you have given all of your reasons, now you’ll need to include a section (one or more paragraphs) of opposition and rebuttal. Below, we have included two different oppositions.
Opposition #1 (followed by rebuttal): Many opponents against a high-speed rail system believe the monetary costs outweigh the benefits.
Opposition #2 (followed by rebuttal): The cost of high-speed rail tickets will be unaffordable for the low-income population it hopes to attract.
These opposition points are developed depending on the audience you’re hoping to persuade. The length of your paper will usually dictate how many different oppositional points (with accompanying rebuttal) you will need. For our purposes, we are placing the opposition after the reasons have all been argued, but it is also acceptable to place a direct opposition immediately after each reason, if the opposition directly argues against the specific reason. Above, Opposition #2 directly relates to Because Cause #2, and could be placed directly after.
It’s a good idea to outline your argument before you begin writing. If you’re not into numerical outlines, just draw a box for every paragraph or section, and label each box with what’s going inside, like this:
You can get as detailed as you want, including what research goes where.
To break down the body section, for instance, it might look something like this:
Once you’ve determined your reasoning, you can easily arrange and rearrange as needed. After outlining the Intro, Body, and Opposition, all that’s left is the concluding thoughts.
Organizing a longer argument essay takes some time and forethought. Remember to keep the coal with the coal, and the apples with the apples! With a little work on the front end, you’ll be on track for focused and well-organized essay.
Once you decide on what your reasons will be and what research you’ll use to support each reason, you’ll simply begin to lay them out after your introduction. Organize your paper by following your reasons, keeping each “because” reason in its own paragraph/s. In other words, don’t talk about information related to because clause #1 in the paragraph for because clause #3. making a claim supporting it argumentmaking a claim supporting it using feelings persuasion
The position that you are trying to get your reader to accept claim
Facts that support your claim evidence
Statement that explains how the evidence supports and connects to the claim bridge
Challenging the argument by addressing the position of someone who may not agree with the argument counterargument
Demonstrating why the counterargument is wrong refutation
Who will be affected by the topic. Who will read the essay. audience
Also known as claim Thesis statement
First paragraph where you will hook the reader introduction
Paragraph that introduces the reason that your claim is valid Body Paragraph 1
Paragraph that introduces the second reason that your claim is valid Body Paragraph 2
Paragraph that introduces an opposing claim Body Paragraph 3
Last paragraph that restates the thesis statement conclusion
The first sentence in each paragraph that tells you what the paragraph is talking about topic sentence
words that show the relationships among the ideas in a piece of writing transition
Argument Writing Vocabulary Crossword
reasoned thinking that supports a specific claim or position argument
correct or suitable for a particular time, situation, or purpose appropriate
a statement that a speaker or writer is trying to prove, usually by using evidence claim
when something such as a piece of writing is easy to understand because its parts are connected in a clear and reasonable way coherent
a justification of a claim
Description
reasoned thinking that supports a specific claim or position argument
correct or suitable for a particular time, situation, or purpose appropriate
a statement that a speaker or writer is trying to prove, usually by using evidence claim
when something such as a piece of writing is easy to understand because its parts are connected in a clear and reasonable way coherent
a justification of a claim
Summary
Paraphrase
Quotation
Textual evidence
Synthesize
Coherent argument
Logical fallacy
Effective support
Claim
Argument
Argumentative
Essay
Reason
Statement
Conclusion
Counter claim
Opposing claim
Evidence
Examples
Support
Thesis
Introduction