An argumentative essay is a piece of writing that takes a stance on an issue by identifying a clear thesis statement. The goal is to present key evidence and defend the position with facts, examples, and logical reasoning. These types of essays are commonly assigned in high school and college to assess a student’s ability to research, analyze information, organize thoughts, and argue persuasively.

When do you write an argumentative essay?

You write an argumentative essay in the following situations:

  • In an academic setting
  • As part of a standardized test
  • To respond to a debate or controversial issue 
  • To persuade about a course of action

An argumentative essay requires clearly stating a debatable position on an issue and supporting it with logical reasoning and persuasive evidence. The writer must choose one side of a two-sided prompt or formulate an original argument in response to an open-ended prompt.

Here are explanations and examples of two different types of argumentative essay prompts:

Two-Sided Argumentative Essay Prompt

A two-sided argumentative essay prompt presents both sides of an argument or issue upfront and asks you to choose a side to defend. In this type of prompt, the arguments for and against are spelled out clearly. Your task is to choose one side, develop a clear thesis defending that position, and use evidence and reasoning to persuade the reader of your stance.

Example: Two-sided argumentative essay prompt

“People have differing views on raising the minimum wage. Some argue that raising the minimum wage will improve the standard of living for workers and stimulate the economy. Others argue it will lead to job losses and higher prices as businesses deal with increased labor costs. Write an argumentative essay taking a stance on whether the federal minimum wage should be increased.”

Open Argumentative Essay Prompt

An open argumentative essay prompt simply presents an issue or topic and allows you to formulate your own argument or position on the matter. With this open prompt, no argument is pre-stated—it is up to you to determine your stance and construct the basic argument, then back it up with reasoning and evidence. You have more interpretive freedom but also must be careful to take a clear, defensible position.

Example: Open argumentative essay prompt

“In a well-developed essay, address whether or not public college education should be free for all students.” 

Argumentative writing at the college level

In college, argumentative writing is the norm across disciplines, even if assignments are not explicitly called “argumentative essays.” Most academic papers require constructing a clear thesis and providing evidence-based reasoning to support it persuasively. 

Whether conducting a rhetorical analysis, literary analysis, or other scholarly writing, the fundamental expectation is to make a well-developed argument backed by credible evidence and logic unless otherwise specified by the instructor. 

Examples of argumentative essay prompts

University argumentative essay prompts require taking a stance on complex issues through well-researched evidence and analysis. Regardless of the prompt, the expectation is developing a specific, defensible position and making a convincing argument supported by credible evidence and reasoning to persuade the reader.

Here are some examples of argumentative essay prompts:

Argue for or against requiring COVID-19 vaccination for all eligible students on college campuses.

  • Don’t just list arguments on both sides without taking a stance. 
  • Do develop a focused thesis supporting or opposing mandatory student COVID vaccinations, providing credible evidence to substantiate your position persuasively.

Evaluate the impact of social media influences on body image and eating disorder risks among adolescents.

  • Don’t simply describe social media’s role in this issue.
  • Do build an argument about whether social media has had a significantly negative effect or a more limited impact based on analyzing research data.

Take a stance on the role of the government in regulating nutritional standards for foods marketed to children. 

  • Don’t neutrally discuss the debate around this topic.
  • Do construct an argument either supporting government intervention with evidence of its potential benefits or opposing it based on principles like consumer choice.

For each of these prompts, you would need to develop a clear thesis, position, or argument related to the issue. Then, provide credible evidence, examples, data analysis, and logical reasoning to convince the reader of your stance. Simply describing or discussing the issue objectively is insufficient for an effective argumentative essay.

Approaches to Argumentative Essays

Argumentative essays require an objective, logical approach based on credible evidence rather than emotional appeals or exaggeration. Two well-established models can provide structural frameworks for developing sound arguments:

  • The Toulmin model outlines the key components of an argument methodically.
  • The Rogerian model aims to find a compromise position between opposing views.

While the Toulmin model provides a structured approach to making a clear claim supported by evidence, the Rogerian model facilitates mutual understanding and seeks a diplomatic middle ground. Both models emphasize critical thinking, logic, and ethical persuasion, which are essential to effective argumentative writing.

Toulmin arguments

The Toulmin method, introduced by philosopher Stephen Toulmin, consists of six parts:

  1. Claim – The thesis statement or main argument being made.
  2. Evidence – Supporting data, facts, statistics, examples, etc., to support the claim.
  3. Warrant – The logical reasoning that connects the evidence to the claim.
  4. Backing – Further evidence that strengthens the warrant.
  5. Rebuttals – Addressing potential counterarguments or key objections.
  6. Qualifiers – Specifying the extent and conditions under which the claim is true.

Rogerian arguments

The Rogerian argument model seeks to find a middle ground or compromise perspective. Named after psychologist Carl Rogers, it includes:

  1. An introduction to the issue that builds credibility and goodwill.
  2. Briefly and objectively presenting the opposing viewpoint fairly.
  3. Stating the context, personal experience, or similar situations to create empathy.
  4. Articulating your perspective and reasoning persuasively but respectfully.
  5. Exploring ambiguities, limitations, values, and common ground between both sides.
  6. Concluding by offering a compromise position or suggested solution.

Introducing your argument

Like other academic writing, an argumentative essay opens with an introductory section. The introduction hooks the reader’s interest, offers context on the issue’s importance, clearly states the central argument or thesis, and may preview the main supporting points to follow. In concise form, an effective introduction captures attention, provides the necessary background, declares the core position, and lays out the argumentative roadmap for the reader.

argumentative essay Introduction example

The debate over allowing student-athletes to be paid has raged for decades. On one side, critics claim that introducing pay would damage the integrity of college sports by prioritizing money over education. However, this essay argues that it is fair and appropriate to compensate these athletes whose practice and performance commitments are on par with full-time employment. By evaluating the economic pressures and time commitments faced by student-athletes and the immense revenue they generate, it becomes clear that modernizing amateurism rules to permit reasonable compensation aligns with basic fairness and won’t necessarily undermine the college athletics model.

Explanation:

  • It opens with a hook statement about the central debate to grab the reader’s attention.
  • It provides concise background information about the issue and perspectives on both sides.
  • It presents a clear, specific thesis statement arguing favor of compensating student-athletes.
  • It previews the main arguments developed in the essay’s body – addressing economic pressures, time commitments, revenue generation, and fairness.

The body: Developing your argument

The body is where you build and substantiate your argument through evidence, analysis, and logical reasoning to convince the reader of your thesis. In a typical five-paragraph essay, the body consists of three paragraphs, each focused on one component or line of reasoning supporting your central claim. For longer essays, the body may contain multiple sections with subject headings.

Each body paragraph starts with a precise topic sentence stating the point it will develop. All information must directly relate to and reinforce your overarching argument – no irrelevant details. You’ll provide concrete evidence like facts, examples, expert opinions, and research data while analyzing and explaining how it supports your position.

Some paragraphs may acknowledge the merits of counterarguments before providing compelling rebuttals and reasoning for why your stance remains stronger. The key is creating a cohesive, comprehensive case using varied evidence and analysis strategically structured to persuade the reader.

argumentative essay Body example

While critics of student-athlete compensation argue that pay could compromise the amateur nature of college sports, this perspective fails to account for the staggering revenue generated by top athletic programs each year. According to NCAA revenue reports, the 65 universities in the Power Five conferences took in $8.1 billion in combined revenue in 2021, largely from TV broadcast rights and corporate sponsorships. With basketball and football programs essentially operating as minor league systems that pump billions into their universities, it seems unfair to restrict the players from any share of the profits. Yes, athletes receive athletic scholarships, but these alone do not equal decent compensation for athletes who pour 40+ hours per week into their sports on top of academics. By allowing reasonable pay in addition to scholarships, the NCAA can finally begin compensating players fairly and in proportion to their immense value.

Explanation:

  • The topic sentence states the main point the paragraph will argue: that the revenue generation of college sports undercuts the amateurism argument against athlete pay.
  • It provides specific data/evidence to support the point about massive revenue.
  • It analyzes and explains why that evidence about revenue challenges the idea of amateurism and restricting pay.
  • It raises a counterargument about receiving scholarships but then directly rebuts it and reinforces the claim that scholarships alone are not fair compensation.
  • It concludes by restating the main argument of why reasonable pay is warranted based on the evidence presented.

Concluding your argument

A strong conclusion should restate the thesis and recap the key evidence and reasoning that support your position throughout the body paragraphs. However, avoid repeating points verbatim – instead, synthesize the main arguments in a new way that reinforces their overall significance and validity. 

For longer essays, you can acknowledge potential counterarguments and limitations while proposing areas for future research. Most importantly, the conclusion must consistently reiterate why your argument matters.

argumentative essay Conclusion example

The staggering revenue generated by elite college sports programs and the labor of student-athletes clearly necessitates modernizing NCAA policies to permit reasonable compensation beyond just scholarships. Current restrictions create an unjust system that exploits athletes who are performing at a professional level yet are barred from any share of the billions in income they produce. While paying players may seem to violate amateurism ideals, this notion is already obsolete in today’s commercial college sports environment. Allowing reasonable revenue sharing and endorsement earnings is a fair, principled update that would simply enable athletes to responsibly benefit from the very value they create – rectifying an inequitable financial paradox in this major money-making enterprise.

Explanation:

  • It restates the core argument/thesis about the need to allow compensation for revenue-generating college athletes.
  • It summarizes the key evidence cited, like the revenue numbers and issues with the current scholarship model.
  • It reinforces the main reasoning behind outdated amateurism ideals and the need to align with commercial reality.
  • It acknowledges the counterargument about undermining amateurism but rebuts it by reasserting amateurism’s current irrelevance.
  • It proposes a reasonable, fair solution again – permitting revenue sharing and endorsement income.
  • It concludes with a decisive final statement about the injustice of the current policies and the need to rectify them.