Assignment 2: LASA: Therapeutic and Forensic Roles

Writing an Argumentative Essay

What is an argumentative essay?

“An argumentative essay is a genre of writing that requires the student to investigate topics; collect, generate, and evaluate evidence; and establish a position on the topic in a concise manner” (Baker, Brizee, & Angeli, 2013).

Preparing to write an argumentative essay

• Select a specific, debatable issue for discussion.

  • Be sure that the issue you select is debatable. You cannot argue a factual statement which lacks opposing and supporting sides.

  • The issue should be specific. Some debatable issues may contain multiple topics that could be used as the sole focus of a paper. For example, the issue of “legalizing drugs” contains multiple topics such as legalizing marijuana, the effectiveness of the FDA, and whether a painkiller made in Europe should be allowed in the U.S. (“How to write an argumentative essay”, n.d.).

• Create a clear, concise, and defined thesis.

  • The thesis will establish your stance on the topic and set the tone of your paper.

  • A clearly defined thesis is a crucial step in composing an effective and persuasive essay.

• Thoroughly research both sides of the issue.

  • The argumentative essay requires that the thesis is supported by well-researched, accurate, detailed, current, and unbiased information. To fulfill this requirement, it’s important to research information that both supports and opposes your thesis.

Introduction

• 1-2 paragraphs

• PURPOSE: To set up the tone and position of your paper.

• INCLUDE:

  • Opening hook to catch your reader’s attention.

  • Background information:

    • Lays the foundation for proving your argument.

    • May include a summary of current scholarship, definition of key terms, and explanation of applicable theories.

  • Thesis statement:

    • Will establish your stance on the topic and set the tone of the paper.

    • Should be clear, concise, and defined.

Body paragraphs

Please note that these are two suggestions (out of many) on organizing the body paragraphs of an argumentative essay.

• 3-4 paragraphs

• PURPOSE: To provide your argument and supporting evidence and counterargument(s).

• INCLUDE:

  • OPTION 1:

    • Present both sides of the issue with an assessment of each.

      • This will showcase your research and expertise on the subject.

    • State your opinion and explain why you chose that side.

  • OPTION 2:

    • State your opinion.

    • Explain why you chose that side by providing supporting evidence.

      • Select the strongest supporting evidence from your research.

      • Introduce, state, and explain your evidence.

    • Acknowledge the other side’s arguments and disprove/refute them.

• • • • Show that the other side’s arguments are “not reasonable, not logical, or not effective” (“How to write an argumentative essay”, n.d.).

• • • • End the section with a sentence that reasserts your opinion.

Conclusion

The conclusion should be the climax of your paper that drives your argument. Note that the conclusion determines the reader’s final impression of your essay.

• 1 paragraph

• PURPOSE: Remind readers of your thesis statement and supporting evidence. Illustrate that you’ve thought critically and analytically about the topic. Convince your readers of the importance of your topic.

• INCLUDE:

  • Restate your thesis statement.

    • Do not simply retype your introduction paragraph(s).

  • Summary of the supporting evidence stated in the body paragraphs.

  • Stronger explanation of the importance of your topic.

    • The explanation should be more advanced compared to the one discussed in the introduction.

References

• List references that you directly cited in your paper.

• Follow the required citation style when formatting your references.

References

Baker, J., Brizee, A., & Angeli, E. (2013, March 10). Argumentative essays. Retrieved from https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/685/05/

How to write an argumentative essay. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://s.bellevuecollege.edu/wp/sites/161/2014/09/argumentativeessay.pdf

Argumentative paper format. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://depts.washington.edu/owrc/Handouts/Argumentative Paper Format.pdf