Argumentative Essay Writing

In an argumentative essay, your job is to make the reader agree with your opinion about a controversial
topic. You have to(1) state your opinion, (2) give reasons to support your opinion, and (3) argue against the
opposite opinion. Overall, you must convince the audience that your side of the argument is correct. To
convince the audience, your essay must be balanced—it must include your viewpoint and the opposing
viewpoint, or counterargument. Even though you are arguing only one side of an issue, you must think about
what the other side would say about your opinion. After you give the counterargument, you must refute it by
showing that it is wrong. If your essay is balanced, the reader is more likely to agree with you.

Organization
In CPGE, the number of paragraphs in an argumentative essay is 4. It begins with an introduction and ends
with a conclusion. In between are the body paragraphs where you must do three things: support your opinion and
present the opposing point of view with counter arguments.

Introduction: Paragraph (1): Hook, connecting background information, and the thesis Statement.
Body: Paragraph (2): Start with a topic sentence (restating the thesis in different words.).
Present your reasons (2 to 3) and support them.

Paragraph (3): Present the opponents arguments (2 are enough) and refute them.

Conclusion: Paragraph (4): Confirm your thesis statement and call for action, raise an issue, predict a case, etc.

Pre-writing stage:
1. First, define and write the topic and the thesis statement. For example:
Essay topic: Smartphones’ use in classrooms.
Thesis statement: Smartphones should not be allowed in classrooms because they are couterproductive.
2. Now brainstorm ideas about your topic. Fill out the Pro & Con T-Chart.
Cons Pros
1- Smartphones distract students from learning if 5- Smartphones can be used as dictionaries and
they chat or play games in class. research tools.
2- Smartphones ring in class and disturb everyone. 6- Smartphones can be easily turned off and kept
out of sight.
3- Students could use smartphones to cheat on
tests. 7- Students in higher education are not children
and their phones are crucial in emergency cases.
4- Smartphones can be used to make fun of the
teacher or other colleagues by taping 8- Smartphones can be used to play educational
embarrassing situations. games and do project work.

3. Look at your Pros& Cons T-chart again. Choose three reasons from your PRO list that support your
thesis most effectively and circle them. You now know what your major supporting information will be.

4. Now give attention to the opposing points of view. Choose two counterarguments from your CON list
and write a refutation for each.

1
 Sample of an argumentative Essay
School Uniforms is the Way to Go!
Individualism is a fundamental part of society in many countries. Most people believe in the right to express their
own opinion without fear of punishment. This value, however, is coming under fire in an unlikely place—the public-
school classroom. Should public school students be allowed to make individual decisions about clothing, or should all
students be required to wear a uniform? School uniforms are the way to go for a better and healthier educational
environment.

Wearing school uniforms would help make students’ lives simpler. They would no longer have to decide what to
wear every morning. Uniforms would not only save time but also would eliminate the stress often associated with this
chore. Moreover, school uniforms influence students to act responsibly in groups and as individuals. Uniforms give
students the message that school is a special place for learning. In addition, uniforms create a feeling of unity among
students. For example, when students do something as a group, such as attend meetings in the auditorium or eat lunch in
the cafeteria, the fact that they all wear the same uniform gives them a sense of community. Even more important,
statistics show the positive effects that school uniforms have on violence and truancy. According to a recent survey in a
large school district in Florida, incidents of school violence dropped by 50 percent, attendance and test scores improved,
and student suspensions declined approximately 30 percent after school uniforms were introduced. Finally, school
uniforms would help make all the students feel equal. Students’ standards of living differ greatly from one family to
another. People sometimes forget that school is a place to get an education, not to promote a “fashion show.”

Opponents of mandatory uniforms say that students who wear school uniforms cannot express their individuality.
This point has some merit on the surface. However, as stated previously, school is a place to learn, not to flaunt wealth
and fashion. Society must decide if individual expression through clothing is more valuable than improved educational
performance. It is important to remember that school uniforms would be worn only during school hours. Students can
express their individuality in the way that they dress outside of the classroom. Another argument put forward of opponents
of school uniforms argues that schools should prepare students for real life practicalities and imposing uniforms is just a
way to avoid dealing with the society’s issues. Still, if one looks at this claim from a different perspective, they would see
but a call to maintain the status quo and blame the school for trying to help with the society’s problems. After all,
implementing mandatory school uniforms would make all the students look the same regardless of their financial status.
Therefore, school uniforms would promote pride in less wealthy students and humility in richer ones.

In conclusion, there are many well-documented benefits of implementing mandatory school uniforms for students.
Studies show that students learn better and act more responsibly when they wear uniforms. Public schools should require
uniforms so as to benefit both the students and society as a whole.

(517 words, including the title)

Task: Choose a topic and write an argumentative essay on it.