
I 
Writing 
an 
Argumentative 
Essay  
The argumentative essay, although bearing many similarities 
to 
the 
persuasive (argument) 
essay, has several very distinct differences. 
The objective 
of 
a persuasive 
essay 
is 
to 
"win" 
the reader over 
to 
your side 
of 
an 
argument, while 
the 
primary objective 
of 
an 
argumentative 
essay 
is 
just 
to 
show 
that 
you have a valid 
argu ment, allowing 
the 
reader either 
to 
adopt your position 
or 
to 
"agree 
to 
disagree". 
Another difference between 
the 
two 
types 
of 
essay 
is 
that 
in the 
persuasive 
essay, 
although you acknowledge the opposing view, 
only one side 
of 
the issue 
is 
debated. 
An 
important part 
of 
the 
argumentative 
essay 
is 
to 
use 
evidence both 
to 
substanti.ate one's 
own position and 
to 
refute 
the 
opposing argument. 
BasIc 
Essay 
Format 
I. 
Introduction 
II. 
Body 
A. 
First pOint 
and 
supporting info 
B. 
Second 
point and supporting info 
C. 
Third pOint 
and 
supporting info 
III. Conclusion 
The final difference between the argumentative 
essay 
and 
the argument (persuasive) 
essay 
is 
the organization 
of 
the composition. The persuasive 
essay 
follows the 
basic 
essay 
format 
as 
displayed 
in 
the 
example. 
The argumentative 
essay 
may be formatted In several ways: 
Example 1: Claim/Counter Claim  I 
Introduce 
the 
topic and state or explain 
the 
I. 
Introduction (Claim 
and 
counter claim statement) 
question. State both 
the 
claim (your position) 
and 
he counter claim (the opposing position). 
II. Body Part I  
Start building a strong 
case 
by refuting 
or  
A. 
First counter point and refuting information 
disproving 
the 
opposing position.  . 
B.Second counter point and refuting information 
Use 
one paragraph 
to 
state 
each 
counter point, 
C. 
Third counter point and refuting information 
ollowing your statement with related evidence 
that  
refutes 
the 
point.  
III 
Body Part 
II  
Present your 
case 
in the second section .of 
the  
. 
A. 
First point and supporting information  
body.  
B. 
Second 
point and supporting information 
Use 
one paragraph 
to 
state 
each 
of 
your points, 
C. 
Third point 
and 
supporting information 
ollowlng your statement with the evidence 
that  
proves or supports your point.  
IV 
Conclusion - Restatement 
of 
claim 
and 
summary 
The conclusion 
of 
this format 
is 
a restatement 
of 
of 
the main ideas  
your claim and a summary 
of 
the information 
that  
supports it.