1、Argumentative EssaysA short guide 1.Lets begin at the beginning.With your introduction,of course.So what are you talking about?Before you write any arguments,you need to briefly introduce your topic 2.Introduction How do you get started?Try thinking about the following:Why is this topic important?Wh
2、y is this topic interesting or useful to you?How does this topic affect people?3.ThesisOnce youve introduced your topic and made it clear to the reader why your topic is worth reading about,you need to explain what your paper will actually do.Your thesis will tell the reader the purpose of your pape
3、r.4.And whats that?For this essay,your purpose is to convince your reader that your opinion on the topic is right.Your thesis should acknowledge that there are different opinions,or both advantages and disadvantages about your topic,and it should mention your opinion.5.On to the argumentsThe body(th
4、e main part of the essay)will have two paragraphs.You will need to write one paragraph which will focus only on the pros(the benefits)of your topic.You should have about three pros.6.counterarguments You will then need to write a second,separate paragraph which will discuss only the cons,or the disa
5、dvantages of the topic.You should include about three cons.7.Organizing your ideas before you writeFirst,remember what your goal for this essay is.What are you trying to convince your reader of?8.Drafting&BrainstormingTry writing down all of the pros and cons in a table,and choose the best ones.Ask
6、yourself,“How can I arrange these ideas so that it will be easy for the person reading to understand me?”9.Dont forget your reader has to understand the logic of your argument before he or she can agree with it,so you should make it as easy to understand as possible.10.ConclusionSo youve just presen
7、ted both sides of an argument,both the pros and the cons.Now,you need to convince me why your opinion is right.11.Your conclusion shouldstate your opinionmention both the pros and the consShow your reader why your opinion makes more sense than the opposing view12.Although there are arguments for the
8、 other side,you need to show why your opinion is stronger.You might discuss things like:How the topic affects peopleHow many people the topic affects or which people it affectsHow the pros outweigh the cons or how the cons outweigh the pros13.Possible TopicsChoose one of the following to write about
9、,and write an essay discussing its pros and cons,and whether you think it is good or bad,overall.You must take a side:Mobile phonesElectronic dictionariesFast foodTelevisionCosmetic surgery Computer games14.RequirementsTyped,in AR&W format250-450 wordsWritten in the third personTyped rough draft due in class on the first day of class of next week15.