How to Write an Argumentative Essay Outline?
The argumentative essay has a similar structure to other types of essays. The only difference is, it includes an additional paragraph where you list the opposing arguments and their refuting reasons.
The three-argument models used to outline an essay are the classical, Toulmin, and Rogerian structures.
The most common structure for crafting a persuasive paper is as follows:
Argumentative Essay Introduction
The essay introduction paragraph should be engaging and informative, providing an overview of your essay topic. This includes background on what you will cover in the rest of it and why this particular point matters to you.
A good introduction to an essay is like a roadmap for the rest of your writing. This is the first part of an argumentative essay where you lay the foundation for your entire paper.
The introduction extends the following essential components:
Hook Statement
Hook statements are designed to grab your reader’s attention immediately and make them read more. A good hook statement will intrigue readers, keeping their interest as they go through what follows.
| For instance, If you are writing an argumentative essay about animal testing, your hook statement can be: "Medical researches that involve animals for testing drugs have significantly improved human health." |
Background Information
To make your argument and main claim more clear, include some background information about it. This will help the reader understand both sides of what you are saying by giving them a sense of context.
| For instance, “Without animal testing, we haven’t been able to find a cure for polio. And, the diabetes patients would have died from the disease.” |
Thesis Statement
An argumentative essay should state your perspective, stance, and reason for that position.
A good argumentative essay requires a clear, concise thesis statement. It should express your perspective and reasoning to be defended by those who agree or disagree with you.
| An example could be: “Animal testing should continue to benefit medical research as it helps in the improvement of insulins, antibiotics, and other medicines.” |
Argumentative Essay Body Paragraphs
The body paragraph summarizes your different types of arguments and provides evidence to back it up. The goal of the body paragraph is to support your claim by providing evidence that supports your argument.
| For instance: "Animal testing allows scientists to test and create new drugs." |
The body of your paragraph should state four basic things:
- The purpose: The reason I am making this argument is because of ____.
| For instance: “Animal testing should be allowed in medical research because...” |
- Topic sentence: This is a fact or an example that helps the reader better understand your argument. The topic sentence should be about one point, not everything in it.
| For instance: “Animal testing allows the scientist to test the effects of certain drugs.” |
- Provide evidence: The best way to strengthen your argument is by using examples and statistics that support the thesis statement. Make sure these sources are credible, as they should be for any good academic paper.
| For instance: “According to [source], Scientists found out that most animals have the same physical processes as humans, i.e., monkeys or rabbits.” |
- Concluding sentence: The final sentence should reemphasize how the topic sentence helps better understand what was just said.
| For instance: “Therefore, if a drug has a bad effect on animals, it is also not suitable for human use.” |
Argumentative Essay Counter Arguments Paragraph
The counterargument is an opposing view or argument that you will prove wrong by stating the specific reasons. In this paragraph, mention any possible objections your reader might have with your argument. Then refute them with evidence from reputable and credible sources.
Refer to this example for better understanding:
Counter argument: "Many people believe that animal testing is cruel. They argue that medical techniques and drugs should not be tested on animals." Refuting reason: "However, it is much crueler to test new drugs on humans. And, let people die because of not having appropriate information about the drug." Concluding remarks: "Furthermore, many countries have legislation that sets animal treatment standards, and laboratories follow guidelines to prevent cruelty." |
Argumentative Essay Conclusion
A good argumentative essay conclusion summarizes the entire discussion of the essay and provides a call to action. It holds the same significance as the introduction paragraph. Here, you restate your thesis statement to remind the reader of your essay's overall argument.
In the conclusion section, it is important to summarize your argument for readers to know what they are signing up for. You should restate your thesis statement with a strong call to action so that there will be no confusion left.
Based on the evidence, you’ve proven your side of the argument right. Now analyze both sides and come up with an answer that proves why the opposing side is wrong!
Proposing a solution or making future predictions about the claim is an effective way to persuade. If you believe your argument's conclusion can lead toward good consequences, then share what those benefits might be!
| For instance: "Animal testing is the need of the hour. However, we need to manage animals with care and try to balance the suffering and the good that comes from them." |
Argumentative Essay Outline Examples
The following are some argumentative essay outline formats you can follow to compose an effective paper.
In conclusion, mastering the art of argumentative essay writing is an invaluable skill that opens doors to effective communication and persuasive expression. By following the format and template outlined in this blog post, you'll be well-equipped to tackle any topic with confidence.
Remember, the key lies in thorough research, clear organization, and compelling evidence. Embrace the challenge, refine your arguments, and watch your writing flourish.
If you need help in creating an outline for your argumentative essay, try getting in touch with a legitimate essay writing service.
