Argumentative essay. Format and methodology
An argumentative essay includes a short overview of the topic. Its main purpose is to fully illustrate an issue or a question that was covered previously. Ideally, it should resonate with the reader’s point of view and be reflective and well-cited. The purpose of your essay is to change the general opinion on the subject.
Argumentative essays take time: you will need an extensive number of sources to complete this type of work. Gathering material is the first step, followed by a summary and an overview. However, the overview should not be generic. A researcher has to include a personal point of view and an opinion. You cannot focus on one opinion, though, as an argumentative essay needs to cover opposing statements as well.
To understand the structure of an essay, you should choose a topic that suits you best and echoes with your views and beliefs. You will also need sufficient subject material to proceed with your research. Your success and motivation depend on the ability to investigate different layers of the topic. Making conclusions is no less valuable, because it enables you to communicate with the reader and share your point of view.
How to choose a proper theme
Firstly, you should think of the format of the paper. Do not choose topics that are dull and can add nothing to the discussion and scientific discourse. Remember that you will probably have to defend your opinion, so make sure your theme is argumentative and causes contradicting reactions. The sole purpose of an argumentative essay is to stir the thinking process, so if you find your audience responding to the topic, you may provide them with additional arguments.
As the vivid example of the topic that is not subject to arguments is stating that sleep is beneficial. In this case, there is no reason to debate and immerse in the prolonged discussions, as your readers understand that sleep is good and you cannot lead a healthy life without one. You should also keep in mind that the topic has to be exciting from the very start. You will spend long hours on gathering information, so we suggest you think carefully before writing on a less researched theme.
Intended audience and public presentation
Think about the type of audience you are going to present your paper to. In some cases, you have to read in front of your classmates. Depending on the teacher’s presence in class, you may add or withdraw certain points. If the larger groups of people are involved, you may think of other ways to draw the public’s attention, like finding a stronger argument or supporting your case with the citation.
Backgrounds and personal intelligence should also be taken into account when defending your essay. The reaction of the target audience depends on these facets. If you cover the issues in a smooth and calmly manner, you will have more chances to sway the public opinion to your side. Think about the way you will address your audience. A casual, daily conversation has nothing in common with the argumentative representation. In this case, using different stylistics and word constructions will be helpful.
Sources and quotations
To write an argumentative essay that is well-cited and thorough, you will need to follow these steps:
- Investigate the topic. Visit the local library to find reliable sources. Reference librarians can assist you with choosing proper literature. Use quotes that reflect the general topic of the work and are considered scholarly by your teacher. Reputable information is the guarantee of further success, as the material provided does not need quality confirmation and is ready to use.
- Find suitable quotes. Browse the websites carefully to avoid unreliable information and reduce the number of blogs you use for writing. Blogs are thought to be one of the most precarious data sources and cannot be entirely trusted.
- Cite properly. If you write an essay that does not have citations in its structure, you may be accused of plagiarism and copied work. To avoid this, give credit to the author and indicate the date of publication in your bibliography.
- Check the formatting. In case you are confused with the right style of formatting, use the most popular styles, like MLA and APA. Formatting provides the audience with an easy access to a quote and earns you points as an academic.