How to write an argumentative essay

During your career as an undergraduate student, you will be asked to write many kinds of assignments that require argumentation (such as literary analysis, literature review, critical analysis, report, etc.). Writing an argumentative essay means entering a conversation with others’ views and adding your perspective with the intent of persuading readers.

This handout will consider argumentative essays that include contestable thesis statements and follow the structure of an argument.

Writing a Contestable Thesis Statement

The thesis statement in an argumentative essay is contestable. This means it is something that you are trying to persuade your readers of that they may not agree with, and it is not merely a fact. A contestable thesis statement names the topic, states an arguable claim about the topic, and provides an overview of the reasons that support the claim.

To check if your thesis statement might be contestable, ask yourself these questions:

• Can someone disagree with it?
• Do you take a stance on something?
• Does it answer the question “so what”?

Be prepared to modify your thesis statement after writing your argument. You might find that while writing the argument, the claim you make shifts. Your argument will be stronger if your claim is clear and consistent throughout the paper. For examples of thesis statements, see our thesis statement resource.

Structure of an Argument

Academic argumentation typically follows a five-step pattern.

Step One: Begin with What Others Say

Begin your argument by introducing, summarizing, and critically analyzing what others have said about your topic. Imagine you are guiding your reader into a pre-existing conversation so that they can understand the context of your argument. Make sure you are accurately representing their ideas.

• “Leading scholars, X and Y, have introduced the idea that ”
• “Popular opinion states that ”
• “Traditionally, researchers have approached (the topic) in the following way ”

Step Two: Add Your Perspective

Then, build on what others have said by adding your perspective to the conversation using evidence as support. You can situate your argument in one of three ways:

Disagree, but give a reason why:

• “I disagree with X that  because ”
• “X is misguided in their approach to (the topic) because ”

Agree, but add something new to the conversation:

• “X’s approach to (the topic) is useful because ”
• “I agree that  because ”

Agree and disagree at the same time:

• “Although I agree that , I cannot accept X’s overall assessment of the ”
• “Though this assumption is probably wrong that , X is still correct that ”

Step Three: Anticipate Objections

Once you have established your perspective on the topic, you can build credibility for your argument by addressing possible objections.

• “While my argument is compelling, some may argue that ”
• “Some researchers may question my premise that ”

Step Four: Offer a Rebuttal

Even though it builds credibility to address objections to your argument, don’t let the “naysayer” have the last word! Respond to the objections to further support the viability of your point.

• “Though objectors may be right that , they overlook the fact that ”
• “While it is understandable that , it does not necessarily follow that ”

Step Five: Say Why It Matters

Finally, you can conclude your argument by helping the reader see the significance of your perspective. Perhaps your argument solves a pre-existing problem, meets a need, resolves a conflict, or more.

• “Ultimately, what is at stake here is ”
• “These findings help to ”

Learn More About Argumentation

They Say/I Say with Readings by Gerald Graff, Cathy Birkenstein, and Russel Durst