what is the difference between expository and argumentative essay

Expository Essay vs. Argumentative Essay: Similarities and Differences

Expository and argumentative essays involve research, strong thesis statements, factual body paragraphs, and well-thought-out conclusions. And when asked to write an expository essay, the key is to thoroughly understand the topic and research to inform the readers of new information.

But while the two writing pieces are similar in the work that creates them, they differ extensively in many other aspects. Their differences are diverse, and without proper scrutiny, it is possible not to tell these essays apart.

Conversely, expository essays provide coherent information and explanations about a specific issue. On the other hand, argumentative essays aim to convince readers the writer’s point of view is correct and for them to agree with you.

The definitions provide a clear path for their distinction such that you can easily tell them apart. But overall, the main difference can be seen in their names. One exposes an issue, while the other provides for an adoption of a specific position.

Let us now look at the expository essay vs. argumentative essay analysis to help you understand them better.

What Is an Expository Essay?

An expository essay is a type of writing that explains, describes, or illustrates something. It is not a persuasive essay and does not have a specific purpose other than to explain something in detail. It’s not a research paper, although it requires some research, and the information generated gives the reader information on a particular topic.

These essays can be written about anything from the history of your town to how to bake bread. They are used in many academic disciplines, including science, business, and social sciences. Their purpose is to inform the reader about something rather than persuade them to do something.

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In addition, an expository essay provides facts and evidence rather than opinion or conjecture. It should also be objective and neutral rather than subjective in its approach. Despite these essays aiming to educate readers, they also offer an opportunity for a writer to show their subject mastery. However, as mentioned, you should not show bias in the information you portray.

Expository essays classification

Compare and contrast.

These essays entail analyzing similarities and differences between a topic or issue

This essay type involves defining a concept through facts and figures.

They describe a step-by-step guide on how to do something or a particular procedure.

Classification essays

are those describing things in a category.

Cause and effect

These essays show how and why something occurs due to a previous action.

What Is an Argumentative Essay?

An argumentative essay is a kind of academic writing that requires an author to develop a position on a specific topic. This type of paper aims to convince the reader that your point of view is correct based on your provided evidence.

Ideally, you take a side and defend it by presenting evidence. The most important thing about an argumentative essay is that it is not just a story or narrative but an explanation of why you believe certain things. It is also not merely stating your opinion but proving your point with facts and evidence.

Also see: How Do You Write a Toulmin Argumentative Essay

Additionally, an argumentative essay should be clear and concise. It should also be organized logically and clearly with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. The introduction states the main idea of the essay as well as gives some background information related to the topic being discussed.

The body paragraphs explain why you believe your thesis statement to be accurate, using evidence from your research sources. Each paragraph should have its topic sentence that clearly states what you are trying to prove with each paragraph.

Similarly, the final paragraph should summarize your points and restate your thesis statement to leave your reader with a lasting impression of what you have said throughout the essay.

These essays have three main ways to write them;

• You can argue in favor of something (pro)
• You can argue against something (con)
• You can argue for two sides at once (both pro and con)

What is the Difference Between Expository and Argumentative Essays?

An expository essay is a writing piece that explains some idea or concept. It is not an opinion piece but rather a piece that presents information clearly and concisely. For example, if you were to write about the history of Western culture, your goal would be to give information about this topic without bias or prejudice.

On the other hand, an argumentative essay presents its point of view on a particular topic. It does not present facts but offers opinions on how things should be done by giving evidence supporting their position.

For instance, if asked to write about whether or not children should be allowed to play football, you would write about why it is good for them or bad for them based on your beliefs and research.

Both essays vastly differ in purpose. The primary purpose of an expository essay is to explain something, such as a concept or theory. You can also use an expository essay to describe a situation or event in detail. In either case, the purpose of an expository essay is not to persuade people to agree with you. It’s simply to inform them about something they don’t know much about.

In contrast, the purpose of an argumentative essay is to prove why you’re right. For example, if there is an article describing cats as better pets than dogs, you could write an argumentative essay about why dogs are better than cats. Your goal would be to convince your reader that dogs are better than cats as pets by using evidence from personal experience and research findings.

Thesis Statement

Thesis statements are the backbone of an essay and offer a clear direction for the rest of your paper. It also helps you to organize your thoughts and decide what points to include in the body paragraphs.

An expository essay’s thesis statement introduces the topic broadly and generally but specifically to serve as a starting point for further research. For example, an expository essay on the history of the automobile industry could begin with a broad statement like “The automobile industry has changed significantly over time.” This statement allows you to explore many aspects of car manufacturing, including technological changes, manufacturing processes, and marketing strategies.

On the other hand, an argumentative essay’s thesis statement comes in the form of stating your argument. It gives your readers a clear idea about which side of an issue you will take and how you will argue for that position. For example, if you are writing about whether or not gun control laws should be stricter, your thesis might look like this, “Gun control laws should be stricter because they help prevent crime.”

Point of View

In an expository essay, a writer explains a concept or idea in detail, providing evidence and examples to support the position taken. An argumentative essay, on the other hand, presents an opinion or position on a topic and supports it with evidence and reasoning.

With these different purposes, their viewpoints are also different. Expository essays typically use a third-person point of view (he/she) because they are factual and objective rather than personal. Argumentative essays often use the first-person point of view (I) because they are personal interpretations of events or issues rather than objective descriptions.

Further, expository essays are usually non-biased because the writer neutrally provides information without any emotional attachment aiming to inform or explain.

On the other hand, argumentative essays try to persuade the readers about their point of view by using facts and logical reasoning. Thus they are biased and subjective.

The Opening Line

The opening line of an expository essay is a general statement about your topic and presents your case. For example, if you’re writing about the history of baseball, you might write: “Baseball has been played in America since the nineteenth century.”

On the other hand, the opening line in an argumentative essay introduces your topic. For example, if you’re writing about whether or not schools should have dress codes for male students who wear athletic shorts and tank tops, your first sentence might be, “Dress codes are necessary to ensure school safety.”

An argumentative essay also uses logical, emotional, and ethical appeals. These appeal to logic, emotion, and ethics to persuade readers that your position is correct. On the other hand, an expository is devoid of such appeals.

Judgment/ Wayforward

The two essays differ in judgment emanating from their purposes. An expository essay does not give any decision because it aims to inform. But an argumentative ends by challenging or asking readers to agree with the writer’s position based on the reasons given.

In a nutshell, an expository essay summarizes the information provided by a factual source or source material. An argumentative essay, on the other hand, bases its claims on evidence and asserts the truth value of that position. It is worth noting here, though, that both essays rely on facts to prove the point the writer wants to make.

And with that, we know you can now clearly differentiate between the two essays.

Difference between Expository & Argumentative Essays

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When your teacher tells you to write an ‘expository’ or ‘argumentative’ essay, you might just freak out, clamp up, and say “What does the word expository even mean!?”

Sometimes these words just make it harder to understand what you need to do. So, in this article, I’m going to show you the exact difference between an expository and argumentative essay .

Let’s first look at what each of these essay types are and some examples of essay questions for each. Then, I will present you with a table clearly breaking down the differences into columns.

What is an Expository Essay?

An expository essay is the most common form of essay at university level.

‘Expository’ means, simply, to give an explanation of something.

But, it’s not that easy. If you just give a dictionary definition of an idea and move on, you’re not going to get a very good mark. Read on to learn how to get a top mark on an expository essay.

An expository essay presents an informative and balanced exploration of an issue. This type of essay does not require you to take a stance on an issue. Instead, you should present a range of evidence, facts and statistics on a topic.

Your teacher will ask you to write an expository essay in order to prove your deep knowledge and understanding of an issue. This is why these essays are so common at university level.

Let’s say the topic of your course is “Depression amongst Elderly People”. Your teacher will ask you to write an expository essay about depression amongst elderly people not to convince them that it is an issue (they already know that). The teacher just wants you to show-off how deep your knowledge is about the topic.

Therefore, you’re going to want to delve very deeply into the topic and explore some major themes. Here’s some tips the help go deep in your expository essay:

• Get Great Information. Use your lecture notes , assigned readings and readings you find from google scholar to show that you have a very deep and detailed understanding of the issue;
• Compare Ideas. Ensure you present two sides of an argument and compare them. Use critical thinking strategies like pros and cons lists and Venn diagrams to assist you in thinking deeply about the topic;
• Avoid dictionary definitions. Instead, use scholarly definitions from textbooks or journal articles . If there are multiple definitions of a term or topic , compare each of them.
• Be objective. You should avoid using first person language (I, we, us, you, our) and do not take a position on the issue. Your job is to inform, not convince.

The essay question in an expository essay usually asks you to compare, contrast, explain how things work, define concepts, or classify them. Note that it does not ask you to ‘convince’ or ‘take a side’, because all you’re doing is presenting your knowledge in an unbiased manner.

Expository Essay Examples

Here is a list of potential expository essay questions:

The ‘How To’ Expository Essay

• Explain how emergency room nurses triage patients based on need.
• Provide a clear explanation of how an internal combustion engine produces motion.
• Explore with evidence how carbon dating approximates the age of the earth.
• Examine, with examples, the ways in which nuclear engineers prevent nuclear meltdowns in power plants.
• Explore how the judicial system is designed to ensure justice is served in western democracies.
• Provide a clear and detailed explanation of how subjective mental health disorders are diagnosed and treated.
• Examine the process behind ensuring the structural integrity of bridges in the United States.

The ‘Classification’ Expository Essay

• What are the major types of rocks within the earth’s crust?
• What are the key fields of study under the broad umbrella of ‘Psychology’?
• Identify and classify the different animal species on earth today.
• What are the five most influential approaches to art theory in European history?
• Explore and explain the different learning styles proposed by Howard Gardner.
• How can the Bristol Stool Chart help to categorize and diagnose illness and disease?
• What are the main categories of financial assets that help produce wealth in Capitalist societies?

The ‘Cause and Effect’ Expository Essay

• How does the cash bail system in the United States disadvantage minorities?
• What are the effects of inserting fluoride into public water systems?
• What are the multiple projected effects of lowering the corporate tax rate?
• What impact does lowering the age of voting have on participatory democracy?
• What are the long-term impacts of the death of a parent when a child is very young?
• What are the impacts of stereotypical gender representations in Disney films?
• How would a carbon tax of $40 a tonne impact the economy?

The Comparative Expository Essay

• Compare modernist and post-modernist approaches to art.
• What are the major differences between socialism and communism?
• What are the key differences between string theory and quantum mechanics?
• Examine the advantages and disadvantages of moving from a manufacturing economy to a services economy.
• Explore the two major competing explanations for the fall of the Soviet Union.
• What are the core differences between Catholicism and Protestantism?
• Compare the healthcare systems of Canada and the United states on the key metrics of value for money, social justice, life expectancy and individual liberty.

The Problem and Solution Expository Essay

• Examine five potential solutions to the problem of automation taking the jobs of truck drivers in the mid-west.
• What solutions are on the horizon for bureaucratic bloat in the European Union?
• What are the three key ways society can overcome resource scarcity in the coming century?
• What are the major viable solutions to the opioid crisis in the United States?
• Which approaches to foreign policy could present a solution to the oppression of women in some East African nations?
• How can society help to increase the democratic participation of children?
• Explore three potential diets that could help prevent diabetes among middle-aged men.

What is an Argumentative Essay?

An argumentative essay is also often called a persuasive essay. Persuasive / argumentative essays take a position on an issue and try to convince their readers to accept your arguments.

In other words, the major difference between expository and argumentative essays is that argumentative essays try to convince, while expository essays do not.

In an argumentative essay you can take a position. You can say things like:

• “This essay will show that the best course of action is…”
• “It is evident that the best course of action is…”
• “The position of this essay is that…”

Argumentative Essay Tip #1: Avoiding Bias

Just because you need to take a position, that doesn’t mean you can be biased in an argumentative essay. ‘Bias’ means to be prejudiced or narrow-mindedly convinced by only one side, despite evidence to the contrary.

To avoid bias in argumentative essay, you need to convince your reader that you have taken a close and open-minded look at the evidence on both sides of an issue, weighed them up, and come to your conclusions based on an informed understanding of all the issues.

Argumentative Essay Tip #2: Going Deep

You should show deep insights into the topic to avoid bias in both expository and argumentative essays. To show an in-depth understanding of the topic in an argumentative essay, you can compare and contrast two ideas and then make a value judgement after showing all sides of the issue.

My favourite approach to help you go deep is to use a pros and cons list for each of the different sides of an argument. You could, for example, brainstorm different perspectives like this:

Here, you can brainstorm a ton of different things to discuss about the topic. Then, once you have shown a thoughtful discussion of both perspectives, you can take an informed position.

Showing deep understanding and comparing perspectives before taking a position makes your argumentative essay … more persuasive !

Argumentative Essay Examples

• Take a position on the argument between raising and lowering taxes on the wealthy.
• What is the best course of action for obtaining peace in Syria?
• Persuade your reader about the importance of decreasing the voting age to 16.
• Take a position on the statement: “There should be more men in nursing.”
• Are current drug laws good or bad for young men of colour?
• Who should be the next nominee for the Supreme Court and why?
• What is the most appropriate management style for improving productivity, health and job satisfaction in your workplace?
• What is the best course of action for decreasing the amount of plastics in the Pacific Ocean?
• Should there be laws mandating the installation of solar panels on all new homes built in California?
• Should GMOs be banned?
• Should there be limits to freedom of speech?
• Should Pluto’s status as a Planet be reinstated?
• How many refugees should the United Kingdom accept per year, and why?
• Convince your reader of the relevance or irrelevance of Freud’s ideas about child development for the 21 st
• Should financial advisors be forced to take a course on ethics before taking clients?
• After weighing up the benefits and negatives of the issue, take an issue on whether we should colonize Mars.

What’s the difference between Argumentative and Expository Essays?

Now, let’s take a look at a summary of the key differences and similarities between expository and argumentative essays:

As you can see, there are more similarities between an argumentative and persuasive essay than differences. Remember, your argumentative essay and expository essay both provide in-depth, balanced information on the topic. However, the argumentative essay goes one step further and lets you take a personal position on the issue once you have presented the key information.

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 19 Top Cognitive Psychology Theories (Explained)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 119 Bloom’s Taxonomy Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ All 6 Levels of Understanding (on Bloom’s Taxonomy)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 15 Self-Actualization Examples (Maslow's Hierarchy)

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Expository vs Argumentative Essay: How Do They Compare?

by  Antony W

June 9, 2024

One of the most commonly asked questions about essay writing is on the differences and similarity between expository essay vs argumentative essay. 

While they both have some common elements, the two essays have a number of attributes that set them far apart.

That’s what we’re going to look at in this guide. Before we get deeper into the topic, let’s first make sure you understand, in summary, what each type of these essays focus on.

What is the Focus Angle of an Expository Essay?

If asked to write an expository essay, your focus angle will be to explain a subject in a clear and concise manner. Unlike with an argumentative essay, an expository assignment doesn’t have to make an argument.

However, you have to be as objective as possible in your approach to writing, while making sure you present a balance exploration of a topic.

In expository essay writing, students shouldn’t take a position on an issue. Rather, your writing needs to include a set of evidence, facts, and statistics for the entire topic.

More often than not, your instructor will ask you to write this type of essay primarily to test your knowledge and understanding of a given issue, which explains why they are a lot more common in the universities than argumentative essays are.

If you check the prompt of an expository essay, part of the instruction will ask you to classify concepts, compare and contrast a subject, explain how something works, or simply give a clear definition and explanation.

Notice here that you don’t have a room to take a side and therefore you shouldn’t try to convince your audience on anything.

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What is the Focus Angle of an Argumentative Essay?     

The focus of an argumentative essay is to make a claim and give an original argument based on a given subject.

You will have to do a lot of independent research to come up with a claim. Besides making a strong claim in the thesis statement of your argument , you will have to provide objective, statistical, and factual evidence to defend your position.

While the length of an argument writing tends to vary depending on the topic, the essay will be longer than an expository. Your primary goal with this assignment is to try to convince your audience that your side of an issue is the correct one so that they can agree with you even if they initially hadn’t.

When it comes to writing an argumentative essay , the number one mistake you need to avoid is being biased.

Keep in mind that while you have taken a position and you’re willing and able to convince your readers that your position on an issue is the correct one, it doesn’t mean the other side is wrong.

If you make your entire essay look so, you end up portraying yourself as prejudiced and narrow-minded. But this is something you can avoid. You do that by including counterclaims in the persuasion, so you show that you have looked at both sides of an issue before arriving to your conclusion.

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Expository vs Argumentative Essay: What are the Differences?

Now that you know the focus angle of an argumentative and expository essay, it’s time to look at how the two differ from each other. Knowing the difference will enable you to handle each assignment with the right approach.

Expository vs Argumentative Essay: Arguments

An expository essay doesn’t require you to make a value judgment. As such, the essay shouldn’t reflect a personal position on an issue in question. 

On the other hand, an argumentative essay requires that you take a personal position on an issue and then use reasonable evidence and arguments to convince an audience that your stand on a subject is the right one. It’s here that you can even make valuable judgments.

Expository vs Argumentative Essay: Writing

These two essays even differ in terms of writing, so it’s important to know the rules to get the writing concept right.

When it comes to writing an expository essay, the general rule of thumb is that you should use third person pronoun.

Also, you need to analyze an issue in question in-depth and then look at the topic from all the possible angles. In other words, instead of being taking a side, look at the issue from multiple perspective.

It’s different with an argumentative essay. Sometimes your professor may instruct you to use a first person language.

An argumentative essay also requires you to look at an issue in-depth and explore it on multiple perspective. 

However, you eventually do have to take a position which you feel the most appropriate for the subject and then support your stand with reasonable, objective evidence.

Expository vs Argumentative Essay: What are the Similarities?

There are some similarities between argumentative and expository essays that we’d like you to know before you start writing either assignment.

Frist, both essays must have an introduction, which should include a thesis statement, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Make sure that every paragraph covers one primary idea, each starting with a topic sentence and ending with a strong closing link.

Second, your essay should include referencing to back any point that you make in the assignment. You can learn more about sources and citations .

Third, an important rule to observe when writing either essay is to make sure you refrain from using subheadings in the essay. This is something you shouldn’t even do in the first place.

Help With Essay Writing

You now know the difference between an argumentative essay and an expository essay. And you can comfortably write either assignment given that you have all the knowledge and resources to do so.

However, what about if you don’t have the time to complete the assignment within the assigned deadline? Or maybe you have too many assignments to complete for the week to write your essays?

Don’t worry. Our team is here for you.

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For general essay writing,  check this page .  If you need a custom essay ,  simply get in touch with us and we will help you get the work done.

About the author 

Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.

Home » Language » English Language » Difference Between Argumentative and Expository Essay

Difference Between Argumentative and Expository Essay

Main difference – argumentative vs expository essay.

Argumentative essay and Expository Essay are two types of essays that deal with facts and information. The main difference between Argumentative essay and expository essay is that Argumentative essay is a genre of writing that attempts to convince the reader to accept writer’s point of view while expository essay is a genre of writing that provide information and explanations in a straightforward manner to the readers .

What is an Expository Essay

Expository Essay is a type of writing that evaluates and explains a certain issue or a topic. A writer should always maintain an objective, neutral tone throughout the essay. In this type of an essay, the writer should refrain from pointing out his personal ideas and beliefs. The structure of an expository essay includes an introduction containing a thesis/opening statement, a body that contains sufficient facts, information to cover the topic and a conclusion that briefly summarizes all the points explained in the body. Some expository essay topics include, ” The role of social media in contemporary society”,”Causes for Global Warming”, “Analysis of a piece of literature,” “The economic growth of the country in the last 10 years.”

What is an Argumentative Essay

An Argumentative Essay is a type of writing in which the writer attempts to convince his audience that his argument is valid. An argumentative essay contains a combination of facts and writer’s personal ideas. A writer preparing to start an argumentative essay have to do a  lot of research and gather evidence to prove as well as to defend his point. An argumentative essay is biased and subjective, although the writer has to be aware of the opposing views on the subject. This type of essay appeals to the logic and the reasoning. Examples for some argumentative essays are “Should English be the official language in the United States?”, “Is dieting useless ?” ,”Should cigarettes be banned from the society?” etc.

The main difference between argumentative and expository essay is that an expository essay contains only information, explaining the topic, whereas an argumentative essay contains statistics, facts and writer’s personal ideas. Another vital difference between argumentative and expository essay is that an expository essay always give a balanced account of a subject while an argumentative essay may be unbiased and subjective. First person point of view is usually used in an argumentative essay (I strongly believe, In my opinion, I do not agree with…, etc.) while, in an expository essay, third person narration is preferred. It should be also noted that an argumentative essay can contain elements of an expository essay, as argumentative essays also state explanations and information. Another central difference between argumentative and expository essay can be noted in the opening sentence in the essay; the opening sentence in an argumentative essay states the argument, and the opening line in an expository essay introduces the topic.

What are the Types of Essays

How to write an essay.

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What is an expository essay?

The expository essay is a genre of essay that requires the student to investigate an idea, evaluate evidence, expound on the idea, and set forth an argument concerning that idea in a clear and concise manner. This can be accomplished through comparison and contrast, definition, example, the analysis of cause and effect, etc.

Please note : This genre is commonly assigned as a tool for classroom evaluation and is often found in various exam formats.

The structure of the expository essay is held together by the following.

• A clear, concise, and defined thesis statement that occurs in the first paragraph of the essay.

It is essential that this thesis statement be appropriately narrowed to follow the guidelines set forth in the assignment. If the student does not master this portion of the essay, it will be quite difficult to compose an effective or persuasive essay.

• Clear and logical transitions between the introduction, body, and conclusion.

Transitions are the mortar that holds the foundation of the essay together. Without logical progression of thought, the reader is unable to follow the essay’s argument, and the structure will collapse.

• Body paragraphs that include evidential support.

Each paragraph should be limited to the exposition of one general idea. This will allow for clarity and direction throughout the essay. What is more, such conciseness creates an ease of readability for one’s audience. It is important to note that each paragraph in the body of the essay must have some logical connection to the thesis statement in the opening paragraph.

• Evidential support (whether factual, logical, statistical, or anecdotal).

Often times, students are required to write expository essays with little or no preparation; therefore, such essays do not typically allow for a great deal of statistical or factual evidence.

• A bit of creativity!

Though creativity and artfulness are not always associated with essay writing, it is an art form nonetheless. Try not to get stuck on the formulaic nature of expository writing at the expense of writing something interesting. Remember, though you may not be crafting the next great novel, you are attempting to leave a lasting impression on the people evaluating your essay.

• A conclusion that does not simply restate the thesis, but readdresses it in light of the evidence provided.

It is at this point of the essay that students will inevitably begin to struggle. This is the portion of the essay that will leave the most immediate impression on the mind of the reader. Therefore, it must be effective and logical. Do not introduce any new information into the conclusion; rather, synthesize and come to a conclusion concerning the information presented in the body of the essay.

A complete argument

Perhaps it is helpful to think of an essay in terms of a conversation or debate with a classmate. If I were to discuss the cause of the Great Depression and its current effect on those who lived through the tumultuous time, there would be a beginning, middle, and end to the conversation. In fact, if I were to end the exposition in the middle of my second point, questions would arise concerning the current effects on those who lived through the Depression. Therefore, the expository essay must be complete, and logically so, leaving no doubt as to its intent or argument.

The five-paragraph Essay

A common method for writing an expository essay is the five-paragraph approach. This is, however, by no means the only formula for writing such essays. If it sounds straightforward, that is because it is; in fact, the method consists of:

• an introductory paragraph
• three evidentiary body paragraphs
• a conclusion

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How to Write an Argumentative Essay

4-minute read

• 30th April 2022

An argumentative essay is a structured, compelling piece of writing where an author clearly defines their stance on a specific topic. This is a very popular style of writing assigned to students at schools, colleges, and universities. Learn the steps to researching, structuring, and writing an effective argumentative essay below.

Requirements of an Argumentative Essay

To effectively achieve its purpose, an argumentative essay must contain:

●  A concise thesis statement that introduces readers to the central argument of the essay

●  A clear, logical, argument that engages readers

●  Ample research and evidence that supports your argument

Approaches to Use in Your Argumentative Essay

1.   classical.

●  Clearly present the central argument.

●  Outline your opinion.

●  Provide enough evidence to support your theory.

2.   Toulmin

●  State your claim.

●  Supply the evidence for your stance.

●  Explain how these findings support the argument.

●  Include and discuss any limitations of your belief.

3.   Rogerian

●  Explain the opposing stance of your argument.

●  Discuss the problems with adopting this viewpoint.

●  Offer your position on the matter.

●  Provide reasons for why yours is the more beneficial stance.

●  Include a potential compromise for the topic at hand.

Tips for Writing a Well-Written Argumentative Essay

●  Introduce your topic in a bold, direct, and engaging manner to captivate your readers and encourage them to keep reading.

●  Provide sufficient evidence to justify your argument and convince readers to adopt this point of view.

●  Consider, include, and fairly present all sides of the topic.

●  Structure your argument in a clear, logical manner that helps your readers to understand your thought process.

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●  Discuss any counterarguments that might be posed.

●  Use persuasive writing that’s appropriate for your target audience and motivates them to agree with you.

Steps to Write an Argumentative Essay

Follow these basic steps to write a powerful and meaningful argumentative essay :

Step 1: Choose a topic that you’re passionate about

If you’ve already been given a topic to write about, pick a stance that resonates deeply with you. This will shine through in your writing, make the research process easier, and positively influence the outcome of your argument.

Step 2: Conduct ample research to prove the validity of your argument

To write an emotive argumentative essay , finding enough research to support your theory is a must. You’ll need solid evidence to convince readers to agree with your take on the matter. You’ll also need to logically organize the research so that it naturally convinces readers of your viewpoint and leaves no room for questioning.

Step 3: Follow a simple, easy-to-follow structure and compile your essay

A good structure to ensure a well-written and effective argumentative essay includes:

Introduction

●  Introduce your topic.

●  Offer background information on the claim.

●  Discuss the evidence you’ll present to support your argument.

●  State your thesis statement, a one-to-two sentence summary of your claim.

●  This is the section where you’ll develop and expand on your argument.

●  It should be split into three or four coherent paragraphs, with each one presenting its own idea.

●  Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that indicates why readers should adopt your belief or stance.

●  Include your research, statistics, citations, and other supporting evidence.

●  Discuss opposing viewpoints and why they’re invalid.

●  This part typically consists of one paragraph.

●  Summarize your research and the findings that were presented.

●  Emphasize your initial thesis statement.

●  Persuade readers to agree with your stance.

We certainly hope that you feel inspired to use these tips when writing your next argumentative essay . And, if you’re currently elbow-deep in writing one, consider submitting a free sample to us once it’s completed. Our expert team of editors can help ensure that it’s concise, error-free, and effective!

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Miscellaneous

You'll no doubt have to write a number of argumentative essays in both high school and college, but what, exactly, is an argumentative essay and how do you write the best one possible? Let's take a look.

A great argumentative essay always combines the same basic elements: approaching an argument from a rational perspective, researching sources, supporting your claims using facts rather than opinion, and articulating your reasoning into the most cogent and reasoned points. Argumentative essays are great building blocks for all sorts of research and rhetoric, so your teachers will expect you to master the technique before long.

But if this sounds daunting, never fear! We'll show how an argumentative essay differs from other kinds of papers, how to research and write them, how to pick an argumentative essay topic, and where to find example essays. So let's get started.

What Is an Argumentative Essay? How Is it Different from Other Kinds of Essays?

There are two basic requirements for any and all essays: to state a claim (a thesis statement) and to support that claim with evidence.

Though every essay is founded on these two ideas, there are several different types of essays, differentiated by the style of the writing, how the writer presents the thesis, and the types of evidence used to support the thesis statement.

Essays can be roughly divided into four different types:

#1: Argumentative #2: Persuasive #3: Expository #4: Analytical

So let's look at each type and what the differences are between them before we focus the rest of our time to argumentative essays.

Argumentative Essay

Argumentative essays are what this article is all about, so let's talk about them first.

An argumentative essay attempts to convince a reader to agree with a particular argument (the writer's thesis statement). The writer takes a firm stand one way or another on a topic and then uses hard evidence to support that stance.

An argumentative essay seeks to prove to the reader that one argument —the writer's argument— is the factually and logically correct one. This means that an argumentative essay must use only evidence-based support to back up a claim , rather than emotional or philosophical reasoning (which is often allowed in other types of essays). Thus, an argumentative essay has a burden of substantiated proof and sources , whereas some other types of essays (namely persuasive essays) do not.

You can write an argumentative essay on any topic, so long as there's room for argument. Generally, you can use the same topics for both a persuasive essay or an argumentative one, so long as you support the argumentative essay with hard evidence.

Example topics of an argumentative essay:

• "Should farmers be allowed to shoot wolves if those wolves injure or kill farm animals?"
• "Should the drinking age be lowered in the United States?"
• "Are alternatives to democracy effective and/or feasible to implement?"

The next three types of essays are not argumentative essays, but you may have written them in school. We're going to cover them so you know what not to do for your argumentative essay.

Persuasive Essay

Persuasive essays are similar to argumentative essays, so it can be easy to get them confused. But knowing what makes an argumentative essay different than a persuasive essay can often mean the difference between an excellent grade and an average one.

Persuasive essays seek to persuade a reader to agree with the point of view of the writer, whether that point of view is based on factual evidence or not. The writer has much more flexibility in the evidence they can use, with the ability to use moral, cultural, or opinion-based reasoning as well as factual reasoning to persuade the reader to agree the writer's side of a given issue.

Instead of being forced to use "pure" reason as one would in an argumentative essay, the writer of a persuasive essay can manipulate or appeal to the reader's emotions. So long as the writer attempts to steer the readers into agreeing with the thesis statement, the writer doesn't necessarily need hard evidence in favor of the argument.

Often, you can use the same topics for both a persuasive essay or an argumentative one—the difference is all in the approach and the evidence you present.

Example topics of a persuasive essay:

• "Should children be responsible for their parents' debts?"
• "Should cheating on a test be automatic grounds for expulsion?"
• "How much should sports leagues be held accountable for player injuries and the long-term consequences of those injuries?"

Expository Essay

An expository essay is typically a short essay in which the writer explains an idea, issue, or theme , or discusses the history of a person, place, or idea.

This is typically a fact-forward essay with little argument or opinion one way or the other.

Example topics of an expository essay:

• "The History of the Philadelphia Liberty Bell"
• "The Reasons I Always Wanted to be a Doctor"
• "The Meaning Behind the Colloquialism ‘People in Glass Houses Shouldn't Throw Stones'"

Analytical Essay

An analytical essay seeks to delve into the deeper meaning of a text or work of art, or unpack a complicated idea . These kinds of essays closely interpret a source and look into its meaning by analyzing it at both a macro and micro level.

This type of analysis can be augmented by historical context or other expert or widely-regarded opinions on the subject, but is mainly supported directly through the original source (the piece or art or text being analyzed) .

Example topics of an analytical essay:

• "Victory Gin in Place of Water: The Symbolism Behind Gin as the Only Potable Substance in George Orwell's 1984"
• "Amarna Period Art: The Meaning Behind the Shift from Rigid to Fluid Poses"
• "Adultery During WWII, as Told Through a Series of Letters to and from Soldiers"

There are many different types of essay and, over time, you'll be able to master them all.

A Typical Argumentative Essay Assignment

The average argumentative essay is between three to five pages, and will require at least three or four separate sources with which to back your claims . As for the essay topic , you'll most often be asked to write an argumentative essay in an English class on a "general" topic of your choice, ranging the gamut from science, to history, to literature.

But while the topics of an argumentative essay can span several different fields, the structure of an argumentative essay is always the same: you must support a claim—a claim that can reasonably have multiple sides—using multiple sources and using a standard essay format (which we'll talk about later on).

This is why many argumentative essay topics begin with the word "should," as in:

• "Should all students be required to learn chemistry in high school?"
• "Should children be required to learn a second language?"
• "Should schools or governments be allowed to ban books?"

These topics all have at least two sides of the argument: Yes or no. And you must support the side you choose with evidence as to why your side is the correct one.

But there are also plenty of other ways to frame an argumentative essay as well:

• "Does using social media do more to benefit or harm people?"
• "Does the legal status of artwork or its creators—graffiti and vandalism, pirated media, a creator who's in jail—have an impact on the art itself?"
• "Is or should anyone ever be ‘above the law?'"

Though these are worded differently than the first three, you're still essentially forced to pick between two sides of an issue: yes or no, for or against, benefit or detriment. Though your argument might not fall entirely into one side of the divide or another—for instance, you could claim that social media has positively impacted some aspects of modern life while being a detriment to others—your essay should still support one side of the argument above all. Your final stance would be that overall , social media is beneficial or overall , social media is harmful.

If your argument is one that is mostly text-based or backed by a single source (e.g., "How does Salinger show that Holden Caulfield is an unreliable narrator?" or "Does Gatsby personify the American Dream?"), then it's an analytical essay, rather than an argumentative essay. An argumentative essay will always be focused on more general topics so that you can use multiple sources to back up your claims.

Good Argumentative Essay Topics

So you know the basic idea behind an argumentative essay, but what topic should you write about?

Again, almost always, you'll be asked to write an argumentative essay on a free topic of your choice, or you'll be asked to select between a few given topics . If you're given complete free reign of topics, then it'll be up to you to find an essay topic that no only appeals to you, but that you can turn into an A+ argumentative essay.

What makes a "good" argumentative essay topic depends on both the subject matter and your personal interest —it can be hard to give your best effort on something that bores you to tears! But it can also be near impossible to write an argumentative essay on a topic that has no room for debate.

As we said earlier, a good argumentative essay topic will be one that has the potential to reasonably go in at least two directions—for or against, yes or no, and why . For example, it's pretty hard to write an argumentative essay on whether or not people should be allowed to murder one another—not a whole lot of debate there for most people!—but writing an essay for or against the death penalty has a lot more wiggle room for evidence and argument.

A good topic is also one that can be substantiated through hard evidence and relevant sources . So be sure to pick a topic that other people have studied (or at least studied elements of) so that you can use their data in your argument. For example, if you're arguing that it should be mandatory for all middle school children to play a sport, you might have to apply smaller scientific data points to the larger picture you're trying to justify. There are probably several studies you could cite on the benefits of physical activity and the positive effect structure and teamwork has on young minds, but there's probably no study you could use where a group of scientists put all middle-schoolers in one jurisdiction into a mandatory sports program (since that's probably never happened). So long as your evidence is relevant to your point and you can extrapolate from it to form a larger whole, you can use it as a part of your resource material.

And if you need ideas on where to get started, or just want to see sample argumentative essay topics, then check out these links for hundreds of potential argumentative essay topics.

101 Persuasive (or Argumentative) Essay and Speech Topics

301 Prompts for Argumentative Writing

Top 50 Ideas for Argumentative/Persuasive Essay Writing

[Note: some of these say "persuasive essay topics," but just remember that the same topic can often be used for both a persuasive essay and an argumentative essay; the difference is in your writing style and the evidence you use to support your claims.]

KO! Find that one argumentative essay topic you can absolutely conquer.

Argumentative Essay Format

Argumentative Essays are composed of four main elements:

• A position (your argument)
• Your reasons
• Supporting evidence for those reasons (from reliable sources)
• Counterargument(s) (possible opposing arguments and reasons why those arguments are incorrect)

If you're familiar with essay writing in general, then you're also probably familiar with the five paragraph essay structure . This structure is a simple tool to show how one outlines an essay and breaks it down into its component parts, although it can be expanded into as many paragraphs as you want beyond the core five.

The standard argumentative essay is often 3-5 pages, which will usually mean a lot more than five paragraphs, but your overall structure will look the same as a much shorter essay.

An argumentative essay at its simplest structure will look like:

Paragraph 1: Intro

• Set up the story/problem/issue
• Thesis/claim

Paragraph 2: Support

• Reason #1 claim is correct
• Supporting evidence with sources

Paragraph 3: Support

• Reason #2 claim is correct

Paragraph 4: Counterargument

• Explanation of argument for the other side
• Refutation of opposing argument with supporting evidence

Paragraph 5: Conclusion

• Re-state claim
• Sum up reasons and support of claim from the essay to prove claim is correct

Now let's unpack each of these paragraph types to see how they work (with examples!), what goes into them, and why.

Paragraph 1—Set Up and Claim

Your first task is to introduce the reader to the topic at hand so they'll be prepared for your claim. Give a little background information, set the scene, and give the reader some stakes so that they care about the issue you're going to discuss.

Next, you absolutely must have a position on an argument and make that position clear to the readers. It's not an argumentative essay unless you're arguing for a specific claim, and this claim will be your thesis statement.

Your thesis CANNOT be a mere statement of fact (e.g., "Washington DC is the capital of the United States"). Your thesis must instead be an opinion which can be backed up with evidence and has the potential to be argued against (e.g., "New York should be the capital of the United States").

Paragraphs 2 and 3—Your Evidence

These are your body paragraphs in which you give the reasons why your argument is the best one and back up this reasoning with concrete evidence .

The argument supporting the thesis of an argumentative essay should be one that can be supported by facts and evidence, rather than personal opinion or cultural or religious mores.

For example, if you're arguing that New York should be the new capital of the US, you would have to back up that fact by discussing the factual contrasts between New York and DC in terms of location, population, revenue, and laws. You would then have to talk about the precedents for what makes for a good capital city and why New York fits the bill more than DC does.

Your argument can't simply be that a lot of people think New York is the best city ever and that you agree.

In addition to using concrete evidence, you always want to keep the tone of your essay passionate, but impersonal . Even though you're writing your argument from a single opinion, don't use first person language—"I think," "I feel," "I believe,"—to present your claims. Doing so is repetitive, since by writing the essay you're already telling the audience what you feel, and using first person language weakens your writing voice.

For example,

"I think that Washington DC is no longer suited to be the capital city of the United States."

"Washington DC is no longer suited to be the capital city of the United States."

The second statement sounds far stronger and more analytical.

Paragraph 4—Argument for the Other Side and Refutation

Even without a counter argument, you can make a pretty persuasive claim, but a counterargument will round out your essay into one that is much more persuasive and substantial.

By anticipating an argument against your claim and taking the initiative to counter it, you're allowing yourself to get ahead of the game. This way, you show that you've given great thought to all sides of the issue before choosing your position, and you demonstrate in multiple ways how yours is the more reasoned and supported side.

Paragraph 5—Conclusion

This paragraph is where you re-state your argument and summarize why it's the best claim.

Briefly touch on your supporting evidence and voila! A finished argumentative essay.

Your essay should have just as awesome a skeleton as this plesiosaur does. (In other words: a ridiculously awesome skeleton)

Argumentative Essay Example: 5-Paragraph Style

It always helps to have an example to learn from. I've written a full 5-paragraph argumentative essay here. Look at how I state my thesis in paragraph 1, give supporting evidence in paragraphs 2 and 3, address a counterargument in paragraph 4, and conclude in paragraph 5.

Topic: Is it possible to maintain conflicting loyalties?

Paragraph 1

It is almost impossible to go through life without encountering a situation where your loyalties to different people or causes come into conflict with each other. Maybe you have a loving relationship with your sister, but she disagrees with your decision to join the army, or you find yourself torn between your cultural beliefs and your scientific ones. These conflicting loyalties can often be maintained for a time, but as examples from both history and psychological theory illustrate, sooner or later, people have to make a choice between competing loyalties, as no one can maintain a conflicting loyalty or belief system forever.

The first two sentences set the scene and give some hypothetical examples and stakes for the reader to care about.

The third sentence finishes off the intro with the thesis statement, making very clear how the author stands on the issue ("people have to make a choice between competing loyalties, as no one can maintain a conflicting loyalty or belief system forever." )

Paragraphs 2 and 3

Psychological theory states that human beings are not equipped to maintain conflicting loyalties indefinitely and that attempting to do so leads to a state called "cognitive dissonance." Cognitive dissonance theory is the psychological idea that people undergo tremendous mental stress or anxiety when holding contradictory beliefs, values, or loyalties (Festinger, 1957). Even if human beings initially hold a conflicting loyalty, they will do their best to find a mental equilibrium by making a choice between those loyalties—stay stalwart to a belief system or change their beliefs. One of the earliest formal examples of cognitive dissonance theory comes from Leon Festinger's When Prophesy Fails . Members of an apocalyptic cult are told that the end of the world will occur on a specific date and that they alone will be spared the Earth's destruction. When that day comes and goes with no apocalypse, the cult members face a cognitive dissonance between what they see and what they've been led to believe (Festinger, 1956). Some choose to believe that the cult's beliefs are still correct, but that the Earth was simply spared from destruction by mercy, while others choose to believe that they were lied to and that the cult was fraudulent all along. Both beliefs cannot be correct at the same time, and so the cult members are forced to make their choice.

But even when conflicting loyalties can lead to potentially physical, rather than just mental, consequences, people will always make a choice to fall on one side or other of a dividing line. Take, for instance, Nicolaus Copernicus, a man born and raised in Catholic Poland (and educated in Catholic Italy). Though the Catholic church dictated specific scientific teachings, Copernicus' loyalty to his own observations and scientific evidence won out over his loyalty to his country's government and belief system. When he published his heliocentric model of the solar system--in opposition to the geocentric model that had been widely accepted for hundreds of years (Hannam, 2011)-- Copernicus was making a choice between his loyalties. In an attempt t o maintain his fealty both to the established system and to what he believed, h e sat on his findings for a number of years (Fantoli, 1994). But, ultimately, Copernicus made the choice to side with his beliefs and observations above all and published his work for the world to see (even though, in doing so, he risked both his reputation and personal freedoms).

These two paragraphs provide the reasons why the author supports the main argument and uses substantiated sources to back those reasons.

The paragraph on cognitive dissonance theory gives both broad supporting evidence and more narrow, detailed supporting evidence to show why the thesis statement is correct not just anecdotally but also scientifically and psychologically. First, we see why people in general have a difficult time accepting conflicting loyalties and desires and then how this applies to individuals through the example of the cult members from the Dr. Festinger's research.

The next paragraph continues to use more detailed examples from history to provide further evidence of why the thesis that people cannot indefinitely maintain conflicting loyalties is true.

Paragraph 4

Some will claim that it is possible to maintain conflicting beliefs or loyalties permanently, but this is often more a matter of people deluding themselves and still making a choice for one side or the other, rather than truly maintaining loyalty to both sides equally. For example, Lancelot du Lac typifies a person who claims to maintain a balanced loyalty between to two parties, but his attempt to do so fails (as all attempts to permanently maintain conflicting loyalties must). Lancelot tells himself and others that he is equally devoted to both King Arthur and his court and to being Queen Guinevere's knight (Malory, 2008). But he can neither be in two places at once to protect both the king and queen, nor can he help but let his romantic feelings for the queen to interfere with his duties to the king and the kingdom. Ultimately, he and Queen Guinevere give into their feelings for one another and Lancelot—though he denies it—chooses his loyalty to her over his loyalty to Arthur. This decision plunges the kingdom into a civil war, ages Lancelot prematurely, and ultimately leads to Camelot's ruin (Raabe, 1987). Though Lancelot claimed to have been loyal to both the king and the queen, this loyalty was ultimately in conflict, and he could not maintain it.

Here we have the acknowledgement of a potential counter-argument and the evidence as to why it isn't true.

The argument is that some people (or literary characters) have asserted that they give equal weight to their conflicting loyalties. The refutation is that, though some may claim to be able to maintain conflicting loyalties, they're either lying to others or deceiving themselves. The paragraph shows why this is true by providing an example of this in action.

Paragraph 5

Whether it be through literature or history, time and time again, people demonstrate the challenges of trying to manage conflicting loyalties and the inevitable consequences of doing so. Though belief systems are malleable and will often change over time, it is not possible to maintain two mutually exclusive loyalties or beliefs at once. In the end, people always make a choice, and loyalty for one party or one side of an issue will always trump loyalty to the other.

The concluding paragraph summarizes the essay, touches on the evidence presented, and re-states the thesis statement.

How to Write an Argumentative Essay: 8 Steps

Writing the best argumentative essay is all about the preparation, so let's talk steps:

#1: Preliminary Research

If you have the option to pick your own argumentative essay topic (which you most likely will), then choose one or two topics you find the most intriguing or that you have a vested interest in and do some preliminary research on both sides of the debate.

Do an open internet search just to see what the general chatter is on the topic and what the research trends are.

Did your preliminary reading influence you to pick a side or change your side? Without diving into all the scholarly articles at length, do you believe there's enough evidence to support your claim? Have there been scientific studies? Experiments? Does a noted scholar in the field agree with you? If not, you may need to pick another topic or side of the argument to support.

#2: Pick Your Side and Form Your Thesis

Now's the time to pick the side of the argument you feel you can support the best and summarize your main point into your thesis statement.

Your thesis will be the basis of your entire essay, so make sure you know which side you're on, that you've stated it clearly, and that you stick by your argument throughout the entire essay .

#3: Heavy-Duty Research Time

You've taken a gander at what the internet at large has to say on your argument, but now's the time to actually read those sources and take notes.

Check scholarly journals online at Google Scholar , the Directory of Open Access Journals , or JStor . You can also search individual university or school libraries and websites to see what kinds of academic articles you can access for free. Keep track of your important quotes and page numbers and put them somewhere that's easy to find later.

And don't forget to check your school or local libraries as well!

#4: Outline

Follow the five-paragraph outline structure from the previous section.

Fill in your topic, your reasons, and your supporting evidence into each of the categories.

Before you begin to flesh out the essay, take a look at what you've got. Is your thesis statement in the first paragraph? Is it clear? Is your argument logical? Does your supporting evidence support your reasoning?

By outlining your essay, you streamline your process and take care of any logic gaps before you dive headfirst into the writing. This will save you a lot of grief later on if you need to change your sources or your structure, so don't get too trigger-happy and skip this step.

Now that you've laid out exactly what you'll need for your essay and where, it's time to fill in all the gaps by writing it out.

Take it one step at a time and expand your ideas into complete sentences and substantiated claims. It may feel daunting to turn an outline into a complete draft, but just remember that you've already laid out all the groundwork; now you're just filling in the gaps.

If you have the time before deadline, give yourself a day or two (or even just an hour!) away from your essay . Looking it over with fresh eyes will allow you to see errors, both minor and major, that you likely would have missed had you tried to edit when it was still raw.

Take a first pass over the entire essay and try your best to ignore any minor spelling or grammar mistakes—you're just looking at the big picture right now. Does it make sense as a whole? Did the essay succeed in making an argument and backing that argument up logically? (Do you feel persuaded?)

If not, go back and make notes so that you can fix it for your final draft.

Once you've made your revisions to the overall structure, mark all your small errors and grammar problems so you can fix them in the next draft.

#7: Final Draft

Use the notes you made on the rough draft and go in and hack and smooth away until you're satisfied with the final result.

A checklist for your final draft:

• Formatting is correct according to your teacher's standards
• No errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation
• Essay is the right length and size for the assignment
• The argument is present, consistent, and concise
• Each reason is supported by relevant evidence
• The essay makes sense overall

#8: Celebrate!

Once you've brought that final draft to a perfect polish and turned in your assignment, you're done! Go you!

Be prepared and ♪ you'll never go hungry again ♪, *cough*, or struggle with your argumentative essay-writing again. (Walt Disney Studios)

Good Examples of Argumentative Essays Online

Theory is all well and good, but examples are key. Just to get you started on what a fully-fleshed out argumentative essay looks like, let's see some examples in action.

Check out these two argumentative essay examples on the use of landmines and freons (and note the excellent use of concrete sources to back up their arguments!).

The Use of Landmines

A Shattered Sky

The Take-Aways: Keys to Writing an Argumentative Essay

At first, writing an argumentative essay may seem like a monstrous hurdle to overcome, but with the proper preparation and understanding, you'll be able to knock yours out of the park.

Remember the differences between a persuasive essay and an argumentative one, make sure your thesis is clear, and double-check that your supporting evidence is both relevant to your point and well-sourced . Pick your topic, do your research, make your outline, and fill in the gaps. Before you know it, you'll have yourself an A+ argumentative essay there, my friend.

What's Next?

Now you know the ins and outs of an argumentative essay, but how comfortable are you writing in other styles? Learn more about the four writing styles and when it makes sense to use each .

Understand how to make an argument, but still having trouble organizing your thoughts? Check out our guide to three popular essay formats and choose which one is right for you.

Ready to make your case, but not sure what to write about? We've created a list of 50 potential argumentative essay topics to spark your imagination.

Courtney scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT in high school and went on to graduate from Stanford University with a degree in Cultural and Social Anthropology. She is passionate about bringing education and the tools to succeed to students from all backgrounds and walks of life, as she believes open education is one of the great societal equalizers. She has years of tutoring experience and writes creative works in her free time.

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An argumentative essay is a type of essay where you present a standpoint on a particular topic and support it with evidence. The primary aim is to convince your readers that your perspective is the most reasonable one. This is typically done by presenting facts, statistics, logical reasoning, and sometimes personal experiences. An argumentative essay often involves addressing counterarguments or opposing views to strengthen your own viewpoint.

Have you ever dreamt of crafting compelling points and convincing your audience in your argument essay? Then you need to brush up on your persuasive skills! With our in-depth guide, you will learn exactly how to write an argumentative essay and what critical components to include in your written assignment. On top of that, we will provide you with good argument essay examples to elevate your writing skills. So let’s dive deep into details!

What Is an Argumentative Essay

An argumentative essay is a style of academic writing which involves a writer researching a particular topic and forming a specific opinion. It then requires arguing for opinion by providing evidence. Unlike other fact-loaded types of writing, an argument paper tries to convince readers to accept only one side of any problem. Strong argumentative writing is characterized by a clear and concise opinion on any topic, supported by logical and well-structured arguments based on extensive research. It is crucial to choose one of argumentative essay topics you are really interested in.

Types of Argumentative Essay

Before you begin writing an argumentative essay, you need to decide on a particular type you will be writing. There are four different types of argumentative essays, they include:

• Persuasive This type of writing focuses purely on convincing the reader that the author’s opinions are correct. It doesn’t have to look at the other side.
• Research While research essays also take a side, they are much more balanced than persuasive essays . It presents academic sources which support both sides of your claim.
• Analysis Analysis paper is where an author selects an already published argumentative essay, deconstructs it, and analyzes various points presented. An author typically will argue against different views expressed.
• Personal This essay does not use external resources to make some point. Instead, it uses some feelings or personal experiences of the writer. For example, you could write an essay arguing why New York is the best city in the world and only refer to your life experiences in this city, ignoring data on crime, healthcare, education or affordability.

Approaches to Writing an Argument Essay

There are two main models that writers use to construct an argument essay, Toulmin and Rogerian. In Toulmin model , writers introduce their topic, form a thesis statement and then present arguments in favor of that thesis statement. While under Rogerian model, writers analyze a range of different points with differing conclusions. Next, they make a conclusion after determining which of them are the strongest. The Toulmin approach is most widely used in academic writing. It follows these steps:  

• Start with your claim.
• Provide reasons for this claim.
• Produce evidence backing up your reasons.
• Explain your warrant, which is the underlying link between your claim and the reasons.
• Acknowledge opposing articles and limitations of your reasons.

While the Rogerian approach is not as frequently used in academic circles, it still is an effective way to produce an argument in an essay. The Rogerian model follows these steps:

• Present one side.
• Discuss pros and cons.
• Present an opposing side.
• Wrap up your essay by taking bits and pieces of both sides, compromising and forming your new conclusion to any problem.

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Argumentative Essay Outline

An argumentative essay structure generally stays the same and includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Let's consider an argumentative essay template in detail.  Your introduction has to captivate the audience’s attention within the first few lines as well as convince them to continue reading. This paragraph, then, should finish with author’s views and arguments summed up in 1 or 2 sentences. Following your introduction are  3 body paragraphs . A good body paragraph expands on the summary of all reader’s opinions by delving deeper into a chosen topic, crafting key points and supporting them with clear evidence. In any standard 5-paragraph essay, each body paragraph should be focused on a unique element. Our final stage is writing  a conclusion . A good conclusion restates your thesis statement and sums up all claims presented throughout body paragraphs. When writing their conclusion, students should consider any impact they are trying to have on a reader. Next, writers should create an interesting summary of their work that leaves a reader with a new perspective on that topic.  

How to Start an Argumentative Essay

An argumentative essay always begins with an introduction. An  argumentative essay introduction  has three goals: provide a little background information about the topic, explain to your reader why they should care about this subject, and finish with the writer’s opinion, also known as a thesis statement. Let’s look at some examples of these three intro elements.  

In the above example, at the beginning, our reader is given a brief background on this topic, namely the digital trends of learning and that libraries are potentially an outdated model. Then, our reader is presented with an interesting proposal that is sure to evoke a strong response. Some people are going to be thrilled about receiving a free tablet, while others will be horrified at the thought of closing public libraries. Finally, the writer presents their opinion on why public libraries should remain open.

How to Write a Good Body Paragraph for an Argumentative Essay

A good body paragraph introduces strong arguments that are logical and backed up by evidence. An argumentative essay body is a vital part of your essay as it plays major role in convincing the reader that your position is correct. It is like in a position paper , if you can’t make strong arguments, your point will be quickly dismissed. Here is an example of a good body paragraph.  

In this body paragraph, the writer claims that libraries have numerous benefits that tablets can’t offer and then provides reasons by listing different advantages. Then, evidence of these benefits being positive is presented through results of their survey. Finally, this argument is summarized.

How to Conclude an Argumentative Essay

The last step is to write an argumentative essay conclusion. A conclusion should reiterate and expand on your thesis statement while summarizing all of your key arguments. A conclusion should tie everything together and leave a reader feeling like they understand your point and recognize your claims. Here is an example of a strong conclusion.   

In this conclusion, the topic of closing libraries and replacing them with tablets is concisely summarised. Then the two key arguments are restated, and finally, the thesis statement is reiterated.

Argumentative Essay Examples

In the above sections, you can see essay samples which depict strong introductions, bodies and conclusions. In this section, we are going to look at an in-depth argumentative essay example:

• Title   Is the NCAA Practicing Modern Day Slavery?  – The best titles are catchy; they should invoke emotion or cause controversy.
• Topic Sentence Topic sentence of a paragraph should be simple, concise but still give readers enough detail to understand the scope of your topic.

• Convincing Statement Your main statement logical and compelling enough to get a reader to consider the presented perspective.

These samples should help you elevate your writing to the next level and produce fantastic argumentative essays which can completely change any way your audience thinks about a particular topic.

Bottom Line

Hopefully, this guide was of great help. Make sure you follow our writing tips and you will surely compose a great argument paper. Add this tutorial to your bookmarks so you don't loose it. If you need more guidelines on the writing process, make sure to check our comprehensive guide on how to write an essay .

If you have any doubts or hesitations with essay writing, then, turning to a genuine academic professional will be a smart option. Luckily, we are backed by true experts in the field. Buy argumentative essay from our professional team of writers and we will deliver a great paper before your deadline is up.

1. What is the difference between an expository essay and an argumentative essay?

While expository and argumentative essays both require you to argue for a particular thesis statement and have the same objective, an argumentative essay involves far more research and is often significantly longer. In an argumentative essay, the writer is expected to become an expert on a particular topic and use a range of academic literature and empirical evidence to support their points.

2. What are the parts of an argument?

An argument has five parts including:

• Claim - At the beginning of an argument essay, you state an opinion, eg. I think healthcare should be free.
• Reason - State why you believe your claim, e.g. because government has billions in tax revenue.
• Evidence - Support for your reasoning, e.g. providing figures from the tax department on revenue.
• Warrant - Links your claim and reason behind your claim. It can be explicit or implied, e.g. Healthcare is expensive, but the billions in tax revenue is enough to afford it.
• Acknowledgement or Response - Replying to criticisms - e.g. While some universal healthcare critics say the government needs this money for other projects, many other countries are able to fund their healthcare solely through tax revenue.

3. What is the difference between an informative essay and a persuasive essay?

The goals of an informative and persuasive essay are different. An informative essay is seeking to present information about a specific topic in an impartial way to improve understanding of your reader. While like any good argumentative paper, a persuasive essay is focused on convincing your reader to accept the writer’s opinion and features compelling claims.

4. What are good topics for an argumentative essay?

The best ideas for an  argumentative essay are based on topics  that have a great deal of public interest, are unresolved, controversial and have evidence both for and against. Topics related to race, religion or politics are always going to captivate readers and evoke strong emotional responses. For example, a paper arguing why African Americans should receive reparations has the potential to go viral or even create a stir.  

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an expository and an argumentative essay.

The main difference between an expository essay and an argumentative essay is the purpose and approach of the writing.

An expository essay is meant to inform or explain a topic or idea to the reader. It presents factual information and evidence on a particular subject without expressing any personal opinion or argument. The writer aims to explain the topic clearly and objectively, often using examples, statistics, or research to support their claims.

An argumentative essay , on the other hand, is written to persuade the reader to accept the writer’s viewpoint or argument on a particular topic. It presents a claim or argument on a debatable issue, provides evidence and reasoning to support it, and often refutes opposing viewpoints. The writer tries to convince the reader to agree with their perspective.

Frequently Asked Questions : Essay Guide

How to write a literary analysis essay?

Step 1: Read the text and identify literary components. 

Step 2: Write a literary analysis thesis statement. 

Step 3: Compose and add a title 

Step 4: Add the body paragraphs to the essay 

Step 5: Write the conclusion

What does outline mean in an essay?

An outline in an essay refers to a structured plan that provides an overview of the main points and ideas to be discussed. It serves as a guide that helps writers organise and present their thoughts coherently and logically.

How to write an outline for an essay?

• Shape your ideas 
• Categorise information 
• Decide the sequence of material 
• Present your points as short phrases and sentences.

What are the Components or Parts of an Essay?

The main components of a standard essay are an introduction, a main body, and a conclusion. Generally, an essay is five paragraphs long. 

How to Structure an English Literature Essay GCSE?

• An introduction outline 
• Write 3 main arguments 
• Back your arguments using quotes 
• Summarise in conclusion 

How to Structure an Essay?

An essay comprises three parts: introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction introduces the topic, provides background information, and expresses the main argument. The body includes analysis, evidence, and interpretation. The conclusion wraps up your ideas.

Make sure to take your time to organize your essay and the sequence of information within the main body.

How to Critically Reflect in an Essay?

Critical reflection in an essay involves analysing and evaluating your own experiences, assumptions, and beliefs, as well as considering alternative perspectives and evidence. To do this effectively, you should:

• Describe the experience or topic you are reflecting on, and provide context and background information.
• Analyse your assumptions, biases, and values, and consider how they may have influenced your perceptions.
• Evaluate the evidence and consider alternative perspectives to challenge your assumptions.
• Draw conclusions and identify areas for further learning or development.

How to Conclude a Reflective Essay?

In the concluding chapter of your reflective essay, provide a synopsis of the ideas that you have presented in the essay. Present how your beliefs and perspectives have changed and how your personality has been influenced. 

How to Write a Reflective Essay for a University?

• Choose a specific experience or event to reflect on.
• Provide background information to contextualise the experience and explain how it impacted you at the time.
• Analyse your thoughts and feelings about the experience.
• Identify any assumptions or biases you had before the experience.
• Use concrete examples or anecdotes to illustrate your points, and provide evidence to support your claims.
• Consider the perspectives of others involved in the experience.
• Conclude by summarising the key points of your reflection.

How to Write a Reflective Essay?

The reflective essay starts with an introduction which contains the hook and the thesis statement. It summarises your life experiences and responses. The conclusion section should provide a synopsis of the ideas presented in the essay.

What is a Reflective Essay?

A reflective essay is a type of academic essay where the writer reflects on their life experiences. Using your life examples, you can share thoughts on certain topics. It requires proper critical analysis. 

How to Write a Summative Essay?

Follow the given steps to complete your summative essay. 

• Know Your Essay Summative Topic
• Research Relevant Material 
• Make A Summative Essay Outline 
• Write The Introduction 
• Work On The Main Body Paragraphs 
• Write A Compelling Conclusion 

What is a Summative Essay?

A summative essay is used to evaluate the knowledge of students and their concepts of the course contents. They usually take place at the end of the term. It follows the standard essay structure containing an introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion.

Are Essays Formative or Summative?

Essays are mostly considered summative. Instead of seeing them as learning opportunities, students tend to see them as tasks. 

Can an Essay Introduction be Two Paragraphs?

The number of paragraphs in the essay introduction depends on the length of the essay . For a long essay, you might require 2 to 3 paragraphs to introduce your topic completely.

How Many Paragraphs for a 2500-Word Essay?

A 2500 words essay is usually around 10 to 17 paragraphs long, with the length of each paragraph varying from 100 to 250 words. 

Should I Indent Every Paragraph in an Essay?

According to the manuscript format, you should indent the first line of each paragraph. However, the first paragraph after the heading or title should not be indented. 

How Many Paragraphs for a 2000-Word Essay?

A 2000 words essay is usually 10 to 15 paragraphs long. The number of paragraphs in a 2000-word essay can vary depending on the topic, essay style, and purpose of the essay.

How Many Paragraphs for a 1000-Word Essay?

A 1000 words essay usually has three to four paragraphs. The body paragraph should be around 600 to 800 words, with an introduction and conclusion containing 100 words each.

How to Write an Introduction Paragraph for an Essay?

The introduction paragraph for an essay should contain the following components. 

• A hook statement to get the reader’s attention
• Background information on the topic 
• A thesis statement explaining the main argument. 

How Many Paragraphs are in an Essay?

The most common structure of an essay contains five paragraphs. One introduction, 3 body paragraphs and one conclusion. The number of paragraphs varies according to the essay style, subject or requirements of your institute.

How Long Should a Paragraph be in an Essay?

Academically, the length of the paragraph is usually between 200 to 300 words. Make sure to check the guide provided by your teacher before you start working on your essay. Moreover, ensure that your paragraph covers all the points necessary to support your argument. 

How to Start a Paragraph in an Essay?

Start your essay paragraphs with a topic sentence that briefly explains the following paragraph. Add a sentence or two to support or oppose your argument.

When to Shorten an Essay?

Here are a few reasons why you might have to shorten an essay . 

• When you have a word or page limit for the assignment or publication.
• When your essay includes irrelevant or redundant information, that does not affect the quality or clarity of the writing.
• When your essay is too long, you must condense it to meet the desired length or improve readability.
• When your essay includes a long quote or citation that you can shorten without it losing its meaning or context.

How to Shorten a Quote in an Essay?

Follow the given steps if you want to shorten a quote in an essay. 

• Identify the portion of the quote that you want to use.
• Determine the words that can be removed without changing the quote’s meaning.
• Use ellipses (three dots with a space before and after each dot) to indicate the omission of words.
• Place the shortened quote within quotation marks and provide a proper citation to the source.

How to Shorten an Essay?

Review the following recommendations to shorten an essay . 

• Create a compelling outline. 
• Reduce redundancy 
• Combine sentences with similar meanings 
• Avoid the overuse of prepositional phrases 
• Use clear and concise words. 
• Remove irrelevant information

How to Structure an Expository Essay?

The standard structure of an expository essay consists of 5 paragraphs. 

• Introduction 
• Body Paragraph 1
• Body Paragraph 2
• Body Paragraph 3 
• Conclusion 

How to Write an Expository Essay?

You can write an exceptional expository essay by following the steps below.

• Choose a topic
• Research and gather information
• Create an outline
• Write an introduction
• Write the body paragraphs.
• Write a conclusion
• Edit and revise

What is an Expository Essay?

An expository essay is a type of academic writing aiming to explain or describe a particular topic, idea, or concept. The primary objective of an expository essay is to provide information to the reader in a clear, concise, and objective manner.

What are the Different Types of Persuasive Essay Writing?

There are four main types of persuasive essay writing . 

• Discursive Essay – explores different aspects of the Essay
• Argumentative Essay – observation of scientific aspects of a research 
• Exegetical Essay – conduct exegesis and write the results 
• Expository Essay – explain an idea rationally 

What are the Three Types of Persuasion or Persuasive Techniques?

The three types of persuasive techniques include:

• Ethos: Establishing credibility or trustworthiness with the audience.
• Pathos : Fascinating to the emotions of the audience.
• Logos : Using logic, reason, and evidence to support a claim.

How to Avoid Being too Descriptive in Essays?

• Focus on your thesis statement and ensure that every sentence supports it.
• Use descriptive language sparingly, and be selective in your choice of words.
• Use concrete examples to illustrate your points instead of relying on lengthy descriptions.
• Be concise and use clear, straightforward language.
• Have someone else read your essay to see if it is too descriptive or unclear.

How Long Should a Descriptive Essay be?

The length of a descriptive essay can vary depending on the topic and the assignment requirements. Typically, a descriptive essay can range from one to five pages or 250 to 1000 words .

How to Write a Descriptive Essay?

Start by choosing a topic you want to describe in detail. Use sensory details to create a vivid picture in the reader’s mind. Write an introduction that includes a thesis statement and gives an overview of what you will describe. Use descriptive language to describe the subject, using words that captivate the five senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell).

Use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to the next. In the conclusion section, summarise your main points and leave the reader with a lasting impression of the subject. Edit and revise your essay to ensure it is well-written and error-free.

What is a Descriptive Essay?

A descriptive essay is used to describe a certain person, place, event or any other element in a creative manner. For example, describing your journey will be a descriptive essay. 

Which Section is Hardest in SAT Essay?

The SAT essay consists of one section, and its difficulty level can vary depending on an individual’s writing skills, critical thinking ability, and the topic given. The essay assesses a student’s ability to analyse a given passage and develop a well-organised, coherent response.

However, some students may find the essay’s analysis and development of a strong argument the most challenging aspect. Others may struggle with time management and completing the essay within the allotted 50-minute time frame. It ultimately depends on an individual’s strengths and weaknesses in writing and critical thinking.

To prepare for the SAT essay, students should practice writing essays on various topics , time themselves, and get feedback from their teachers or peers to improve their skills.

What is the Structure of the SAT Essay?

The structure of the SAT essay consists of the following elements. 

• Introductory Paragraph
• Conclusion Paragraph

How to Start Writing the SAT Essay?

There are three stages of writing the SAT essay. 

• Reading 
• Planning 
• Writing 

To start writing the SAT essay, read the prompt carefully, create a thesis statement that clearly expresses your position, outline your essay, use evidence to support your argument, and review and edit your essay before submitting it.

How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis Essay?

A rhetorical essay consists of three sections.

Introduction – introduce the topic  

Body – evidence, analysis, and explanation of how the author uses rhetorical devices to achieve their purpose.

Conclusion – summarise the main points of the arguments.

What are the Different Modes of Rhetorical Analysis?

The different modes of rhetorical analysis include the following:

• Compare and contrast – two ideas, concepts, people etc. 
• Narration – storytelling 
• Description – describing something 
• Definition – explanation of something 
• Argumentation – Arguing about a topic with evidence 
• Illustration – using examples to explain something 
• Process explanation – step-by-step guides  
• Cause and effect – Examining and explaining the outcomes and reasons

What is Meant by Rhetorical Analysis?

A rhetorical analysis essay is a composition that emphasises the writer’s use of techniques and style to capture the reader’s attention rather than focus solely on the content being communicated. The essay closely examines how the writer has conveyed their message rather than just the message itself.

How to Learn to Write in Cursive?

To learn to write in cursive, follow these steps:

• Study cursive letters: You can find cursive writing examples in books, online resources, or handwriting workbooks.
• Practice basic strokes: Cursive writing comprises a series of basic strokes like curves, loops, and diagonal lines.
• Start with lowercase letters : They are easier to write than uppercase letters. Start with letters that have simple shapes, such as “a,” “c,” and “e.”
• Connect the letters: Connect letters to form words. Cursive writing is designed to be fluid and connected, so practice making smooth connections between letters.
• Move on to uppercase letters: Now, you can practice uppercase letters. Uppercase letters can be more complex, so take your time and practice them one by one.
• Practice regularly: Like any skill, cursive writing takes practice to master. Ensure to leave some time each day to practice your cursive writing, even if it’s just for a few minutes.

How to Write f in Cursive?

To write “f” in cursive, follow these steps:

• Start with a downward stroke: Begin by placing your pen or pencil on the writing surface and making a downward stroke that slants slightly to the right.
• Add a loop: At the bottom of the downward stroke, create a small loop that extends to the right. This loop should be similar to the one you make when writing the letter “e” in cursive.
• Cross the loop: Once you have made the loop, continue the stroke upward and slightly to the left. Cross the loop you made with a horizontal line extending to the left.
• Finish with a hook: Create a small hook at the end of the horizontal line that curves to the right. This hook should be similar to the one you make when writing the letter “j” in cursive.

How to Write in Cursive?

To write in cursive, you first need to gather a pen or pencil, a four-lined book or paper, and cursive handwriting worksheets. Once you have collected these items, follow these steps. 

• Practice the simple entrance-exit stroke. 
• Practice stroke upward 
• Start working on curved stroke 
• Work on words that require multiple strokes 
• Practice the difficult alphabets like b and f
• Practice curved alphabets 
• Start writing words and sentences

What is Cursive Writing?

Cursive writing is a style of handwriting in which the letters are joined together flowingly. It is also known as script or longhand writing. In cursive writing, the letters are typically written in a slanted and connected manner, allowing for faster and more efficient writing than printing.

What is a Thesis Statement Example?

Here is a thesis statement example for an essay:

Topic: The benefits of exercise for overall health.

Thesis statement: Regular exercise offers numerous health benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, increased muscle strength and endurance, and reduced risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

How to Write a Thesis Statement for an Essay?

To write a thesis statement for an essay, first, identify the main topic or argument of the essay . Then, craft a sentence or two that clearly and concisely summarises the main point or argument of the essay. An effective thesis statement should be specific and guide the reader’s understanding of the writer’s argument. It should be located at the end of the introductory paragraph to set the direction and focus for the rest of the essay. Revising and refining the thesis statement may be necessary as the essay develops.

What is a Thesis Statement in an Essay?

An Essay thesis statement is a sentence or two that presents the main argument or point of the essay. It typically appears at the end of the introductory paragraph and sets the direction and focus for the rest of the essay.

What is a Thesis Statement?

A thesis statement could be a sentence or two that summarises the main point or argument of an essay, research paper, or other academic or persuasive writing. It typically appears at the end of the introduction paragraph and sets the tone for the rest of the paper.

What are the Three Types of Thesis Statements?

Mainly, There are three types of thesis statements .

Argumentative Thesis Statement – Present an argument with evidence

Expository Thesis Statement – Explains your topic to the reader 

Analytical Thesis Statement – Present a particular aspect of the essay

How to Write a Thesis Statement?

Writing a thesis statement can be easy if you follow the given steps. 

• Decide your topic and the type of essay. 
• Formulate a question 
• Write an initial answer. 
• Provide Logical reasoning in the answers.

How Long is an Undergraduate Essay?

An undergraduate essay is usually between 1000 to 5000 words . However, this is just the average number of words. The length of an undergraduate essay may vary according to the institute and subject. It also depends on what type of essay your instructor has asked you to work on. Make sure to check with your teacher or tutor before writing.

What is the Minimum Word Count for an Essay?

The length of an essay is usually shorter than other academic writing. The minimum word count for an essay varies depending on the assignment and the level of education. For example, the minimum word count in high school or undergraduate studies may be around 300-1000 words for a short essay or response paper. In contrast, a graduate-level or research-based essay may have a minimum word count of 2500-6000 words or more. 

It is important to note that while meeting the minimum word count is necessary, it is not the only factor determining the essay’s quality. The focus should always be on effectively communicating your ideas and arguments clearly and concisely, regardless of the word count.

What is Thought Organisation in Essay Writing?

Thought organisation is a crucial step in essay writing . It refers to organising and structuring the essay in your mind before penning it down. This could include a mindmap or creating an essay outline in your mind. Thought organisation in an essay helps in adding all the relevant information and not missing out on any important points. It helps you in designing an essay that will be easier to read.

How do you Start Mind Mapping in an Essay?

Mind mapping is a useful technique for organising ideas and concepts in an essay. First, you should identify your essay’s main topic or theme. Write it down in the centre of a blank sheet of paper and circle it. Then, brainstorm related ideas and subtopics, writing them down and connecting them to the central theme with lines. 

Continue to add ideas and subtopics, branching out and creating connections between them. You can use keywords, phrases, or images to represent the ideas in your mind map. Once you have completed your mind map, you can use it to guide your writing process, ensuring that your ideas are included in your essay and presented logically and coherently.

How to Reference the 6cs of Nursing in Harvard Referencing Style?

In Harvard referencing style, the 6Cs of nursing can be referenced in the following format:

Department of Health. (2012). Compassion in Practice: Nursing, Midwifery and Care Staff – Our Vision and Strategy. London: Department of Health.

How do I Reference the 6cs of Nursing?

Jane Cunnings, The chief nursing officer of the national health service (NHS), in England, established the 6 Cs of nursing essay in 2017. 

The 6Cs of nursing can be referenced using the following citation format:

Department of Health (2012). Compassion in Practice: Nursing, Midwifery and Care Staff – Our Vision and Strategy. London: Department of Health.

How do Communication and Commitment Help in Writing an Essay?

Communication:

• Helps to clearly convey ideas and information to the reader.
• Improves the structure and organisation of the essay, making it easier to follow.
• Helps to clarify any doubts or questions the reader may have.
• Contributes to the professionalism and credibility of the essay.

Commitment:

• Helps to maintain focus and ensure that the essay meets the required standards.
• Contributes to the quality of the content by motivating students to conduct thorough research and analysis.
• Helps to identify and address any weaknesses or gaps in the essay.
• Shows dedication and passion for the subject matter, which can make the essay more compelling and engaging for the reader.

What are the 6cs of a Nursing Essay?

By following the 6Cs of the nursing essay , you will be able to write a compelling nursing essay. The 6 Cs are stated below.

• Communication – for better collaboration with the team and patients. 
• Commitment – dedication towards the patients and nursing profession. 
• Compassion – to give patients a sense of reliability 
• Care – constantly caring through every phase of a patient’s treatment. 
• Courage – to act in the patient’s best interest 
• Competence – processing all the nursing expertise and knowledge successfully.

Why are Interpersonal Skills Important for Nurses?

• Patients feel more comfortable and trust nurses who exhibit strong interpersonal skills.
• Interpersonal skills help nurses build rapport with patients, leading to better communication and improved patient outcomes.
• Effective communication skills help nurses collaborate with other healthcare professionals, leading to better teamwork and coordinated care.
• Interpersonal skills are essential for conflict resolution, which is crucial in high-pressure situations.
• Good interpersonal skills help nurses provide emotional support to patients and their families during difficult times.
• Nurses with strong interpersonal skills are more likely to succeed in leadership roles and advance their careers.

You have to show these interpersonal skills in your nursing essay to demonstrate that you can deal with different people and situations successfully. 

How to Improve your Interpersonal Skills as a Nursing Student?

You can follow the given tips to improve your interpersonal skills , which are required in dealings with patients and co-workers, and also while writing your reflective essay. 

• Practice Active Listening
• Develop Empathy
• Improve Your Communication Skills
• Be Open-Minded
• Develop Your Teamwork Skills
• Learn Conflict Resolution Skills
• Develop Your Leadership Skills
• Attend Workshops And Training Sessions
• Seek Feedback

What Interpersonal Skills are Required in a Nursing Essay?

You should have the following interpersonal skills in a nursing essay :

• Good Communication 
• Teamwork Expertise 
• Upbeat Attitude 
• Negotiation 
• Listening 
• Leadership 
• Empathy 
• Conflict Management 

How to Showcase Interpersonal Skills in a Nursing Essay?

• Highlight the importance of interpersonal skills in nursing practice.
• Describe specific instances where you demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills with patients, families, and colleagues.
• Provide examples of how you established rapport with patients and made them feel comfortable and heard.
• Discuss how you communicated effectively and empathetically with patients and families, especially during difficult situations.
• Explain how you collaborated with healthcare professionals from different disciplines to ensure the best patient outcomes.
• Describe how you actively listened to patients and families and responded to their needs and concerns.
• Discuss how you maintained professional boundaries while building trusting relationships with patients.
• Highlight any training or continuing education you have completed improving your interpersonal skills.
• Emphasise the impact your interpersonal skills had on patient care and outcomes.
• Conclude by reiterating the importance of interpersonal skills in nursing practice and how you will continue to develop and utilise them in the future.

How to Write a Critical Analysis Essay in Nursing?

• Select a topic relevant to nursing practice that aligns with your interests.
• Conduct extensive research on the topic, using credible sources such as academic journals and textbooks.
• Identify the key themes and issues related to the topic.
• Use critical thinking to analyse the information gathered, considering the strengths and weaknesses of the evidence presented.
• Create an outline that includes an introduction , body , and conclusion.
• In the introduction, provide background information on the topic and state your thesis or main argument.
• In the body, present your analysis and supporting evidence using examples from your research.
• Consider counterarguments and address them in your essay.
• Draw a conclusion that summarises your analysis and restates your thesis.
• Edit and proofread your essay for clarity, coherence, and accuracy.

How to Write a Case Study Nursing Essay?

Writing a case study nursing essay can be difficult for a few students considering the depth of the topics. Here are a few steps that you can take to write the perfect case study nursing essay. 

• Identify a patient and obtain consent to use their case study for educational purposes.
• Collect all relevant patient data and medical history.
• Identify the patient’s health issues and formulate a nursing diagnosis.
• Develop a nursing care plan to address the patient’s needs.
• Discuss the nursing interventions implemented and their effectiveness.
• Analyse the patient’s response to the interventions.
• Reflect on the overall effectiveness of the nursing care plan.
• Conclude by summarising the case study and the key findings.
• Cite all sources used in the essay.
• Follow the proper academic writing format and guidelines.

How to Write a Good Reflective Nursing Essay?

Follow these simple steps to write a good reflective nursing essay. 

• Choose a topic or experience to reflect on
• Start by describing the experience in detail
• Identify and explore your thoughts and feelings about the experience
• Analyse how the experience impacted your learning or practice as a nurse
• Consider what you would do differently in a similar situation
• Use nursing models and theories to support your reflections
• Write a clear and concise introduction and conclusion
• Follow the essay structure and include an engaging hook and thesis statement
• Use first-person narrative and reflective language to express your personal experiences and insights

What is the Main Body of a Nursing Essay?

The main body of a nursing essay is where you develop and present the ideas and arguments that support your thesis statement. The main body should be well-structured and organised into paragraphs, each focusing on a specific point or argument. In a nursing essay , the main body typically includes:

• Background information on the topic
• Literature review of relevant studies and research
• Discussion of the key points and arguments supporting your thesis statement
• Analysis and evaluation of the evidence presented
• Examples of case studies to illustrate your points
• Recommendations or conclusions based on your findings.

How to Write a Compelling Introduction to a Nursing Essay?

Here are the most crucial steps required to write a compelling nursing essay introduction.

• Start with a strong, clear and concise opening statement 
• Provide background information to show the context. 
• Write a thesis statement indicating the boundaries of your research. 
• Proofread and Finalise for any errors. 

How Long Should a Nursing Essay Introduction Be?

The length of a nursing essay introduction can vary, but typically it should be concise and to the point. A good nursing essay introduction should provide enough background information to contextualise the topic and engage the reader’s interest. A general guideline is that the introduction should be around 10% of the total essay length, which means for a 1500-word essay, the introduction would be about 150 words. 

However, it is important to remember that the length of the nursing essay introduction is not as important as its content, clarity, and ability to capture the reader’s attention.

Where do I Find a Nursing Essay Example?

You can find professionally written nursing essay examples on Essays UK. Here is a sample nursing essay . 

How Long is a Nursing Essay?

The length of a nursing essay can vary depending on the assignment instructions and requirements. Nursing essays can typically range from 500 to 1500 words, but sometimes can be longer, such as 2000 to 3000 words. It is important to review the assignment instructions carefully to determine the required length and formatting guidelines.

What Steps are Involved in Writing a Nursing Essay?

Following are the steps required to write an engaging nursing essay .

• Go through the assignment brief thoroughly.
• Choose an engaging topic.
• Do your research
• Write a compelling introduction
• Write 1 – 5 body paragraphs
• Conclude with a strong paragraph
• Proofread and edit

How to Start a Nursing Essay?

It can be a complicated step for a few students to start a nursing essay. Just follow these tips to start writing your nursing essay now.

• Conduct research
• Develop a thesis statement
• Write an engaging introduction
• Hook the reader with a strong opening statement
• Provide some background information
• Present your thesis statement
• Preview the main points of the nursing essay
• Use a clear and concise writing style.

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Kinds of argumentative academic essays and their purposes

Published on November 5, 2014 by Shane Bryson . Revised on July 23, 2023.

Most of the time, when your supervisors and others talk about academic essays what they mean is essays that present well-reasoned points of view on various topics . This article explains some essential kinds of these essays—exegetical, discursive, expository, and argumentative—and outlines their key differences and similarities. We’ll call the group of them “persuasive essays,” since they all require you to persuade your reader in some way.

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Table of contents

Kinds of persuasive academic essays, difference between persuasive academic essays and standard scientific articles, differences between kinds of persuasive academic essays, other interesting articles.

Exegetical essays persuade your reader to interpret a theory in a certain way and show your ability to understand and accurately explain difficult ideas.

Discursive essays persuade your reader to see the different sides of a debate in a certain way and present your ability to compare different approaches to a topic.

Expository essays persuade your reader that your opinion is the right one and that you are a competent critical thinker.

Argumentative essays persuade your reader to see something new in a field of research and to see that you have some authority in that field.

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One thing that separates a persuasive academic essay from a standard scientific article or an article in a newspaper is that the author’s point of view plays a more obvious role. Whereas a scientist is taught not to present the facts as she sees them but as anyone can see them, an essayist always presents information from a certain point of view (usually her own), even if she usually avoids referring to herself in the text.

The different kinds of persuasive academic essays are distinguished by the different things they do, but also by the prominence of the author’s point of view. The following tables presents the differences.

What all persuasive academic essays do

The first thing to notice is that, while essay assignments do sometimes ask for one or the other of these types of essay, often persuasive academic essays will need to mix these styles. For example, in order to properly situate her view in the current literature on a topic, the author of an argumentative essay will sometimes need to present a brief exegesis of someone else’s view. Many other combinations are possible, and the argumentative essay, especially, may draw on each of the other three styles.

Second, each of these academic essay forms is argumentative, even though we call only one of them “the argumentative essay.” In fact, you should keep in mind that, speaking loosely, people sometimes do refer to all of these as “argumentative essays.” This term is not entirely inaccurate, since they all require skillful treatment of argumentation, and they all require you to persuade your reader of something.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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• Appeal to authority fallacy
• False cause fallacy
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Shane Bryson

Shane finished his master's degree in English literature in 2013 and has been working as a writing tutor and editor since 2009. He began proofreading and editing essays with Scribbr in early summer, 2014.

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What is the Difference Between Expository Essay and Persuasive Essay?

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• 13 minute read

What’s the Difference Between Halibut And Flounder?

Share article, table of contents hide, expository vs. persuasive essays, definition and purpose of an expository essay, characteristics of an expository essay, definition and purpose of a persuasive essay, characteristics of a persuasive essay, writing style, tone and language, goal and objective, structure and organization, use of evidence and examples, when to use each type of essay, what is the difference between an expository essay and a persuasive essay, how does an expository essay present information, what does it mean to “take a stand” in a persuasive essay, what kind of evidence is required in a persuasive essay, can a persuasive essay include opposing arguments, where are expository essays commonly used.

Expository essays aim to explain or inform, while persuasive essays seek to convince or persuade the reader of a particular viewpoint or argument .

Expository and persuasive essays differ in their purpose and approach:

Expository Essays:

• An expository essay aims to inform, explain, or describe a topic to the reader.
• The writer presents factual information and provides a balanced analysis of the topic.
• The focus is on presenting objective information and supporting evidence rather than trying to persuade the reader.
• Examples of expository essays include research papers, informative articles, and explanatory essays .

Persuasive Essays:

• A persuasive essay aims to convince or persuade the reader to adopt a certain viewpoint or take a specific action.
• The writer presents arguments, opinions, and evidence to support their position.
• The focus is on persuading and influencing the reader through logical reasoning , emotional appeals, and strong arguments.
• Examples of persuasive essays include opinion editorials, argumentative essays, and advertisements .

While expository essays primarily focus on providing information and explaining a topic, persuasive essays aim to change the reader’s perspective or behavior through persuasive techniques and compelling arguments.

What Is an Expository Essay?

An expository essay is a type of essay that aims to inform or explain a specific topic to the reader. This form of writing focuses on presenting facts , evidence, and logical explanations to provide a clear understanding of the subject matter. It does not involve personal opinions or bias.

An expository essay is a type of essay that aims to explain or describe a specific topic in an objective and factual manner. The purpose of an expository essay is to provide information , educate the reader, and present a clear understanding of the subject matter. This type of essay does not involve personal opinions or biases.

The definition and purpose of an expository essay involve presenting a balanced and unbiased view of the topic. The writer should focus on providing evidence , facts , and examples to support their claims and help the reader understand the subject. The aim is to clarify and illuminate the topic, leaving no room for ambiguity or confusion.

The purpose of an expository essay is to inform , instruct , or explain . It may involve exploring a concept, analyzing a process, or defining a term . The writer’s goal is to convey information in a clear and concise manner, using appropriate evidence and examples to support their points.

An expository essay serves the purpose of enlightening the reader about a particular subject, presenting facts and evidence, and providing a comprehensive understanding of the topic. It is important for the writer to maintain objectivity , stick to the facts, and avoid any personal biases or opinions.

The characteristics of an expository essay, which are clarity , objectivity , and a focus on providing information or explaining a topic, are essential for effective writing.

• Clarity: An expository essay aims to present information in a clear and concise manner. It avoids ambiguity, vague language , and unnecessary complexity. The writer should use simple and straightforward language to ensure that the readers easily understand the information being presented.
• Objectivity: Unlike a persuasive essay, an expository essay does not aim to persuade or convince the readers of a particular viewpoint. Instead, it focuses on presenting facts, evidence, and unbiased information. The writer should maintain a neutral tone and avoid personal opinions or biases.
• Factual Assertions: In an expository essay, the writer should utilize factual assertions rather than modal verbs. This strengthens the credibility and reliability of the information being presented.
• Logical Organization: An expository essay typically follows a logical structure, such as an introduction , body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The information should be organized in a logical manner, with each paragraph focusing on a specific aspect or sub-topic.
• Use of Evidence and Examples: To support the information being presented, an expository essay should include relevant evidence, examples, and data. These help to strengthen the arguments and provide further understanding to the readers.

Pro-tip: When writing an expository essay, be sure to thoroughly research the topic and gather reliable sources. This will ensure that the information presented is accurate and credible.

What Is a Persuasive Essay?

A persuasive essay is designed to convince the reader to adopt the writer’s viewpoint or take a specific action. This type of essay employs persuasive techniques, such as emotional appeals and logical reasoning, to sway the reader’s opinion. It involves the use of arguments and evidence to support the writer’s stance.

The definition and purpose of a persuasive essay are to convince the reader to adopt a particular viewpoint or take a specific action. The writer aims to persuade the audience by presenting arguments, evidence, and examples that support their position.

• The definition of a persuasive essay is an academic paper that seeks to convince the reader of a particular idea or point of view.
• The purpose of a persuasive essay is to influence the reader’s beliefs , attitudes, or behaviors on a specific topic.
• The writer’s objective is to present logical and compelling arguments that support their position.
• A persuasive essay uses rhetoric and persuasive techniques to appeal to the reader’s emotions and values.
• The writer must establish credibility and trustworthiness by providing evidence and examples to support their claims.

In a persuasive essay, the writer takes a clear stance on the issue and uses persuasive language and rhetorical devices to convince the reader of their viewpoint. The writer must anticipate and address counterarguments to strengthen their position and undermine opposing viewpoints.

The purpose of a persuasive essay is not only to inform but also to persuade and compel the reader to adopt the writer’s perspective. It is essential for the writer to use persuasive strategies effectively and present a well-structured and coherent argument.

A persuasive essay incorporates various characteristics that make it effective in convincing readers. It utilizes persuasive language, a clear thesis statement, evidence and examples, counterarguments and rebuttals, appeals to emotions, and a strong call to action.

• Persuasive language: A persuasive essay makes use of persuasive language to sway readers towards a specific point of view or encourage them to take certain actions. The language used in this type of essay is often passionate , emotional, and impactful.
• Clear thesis statement: Every persuasive essay presents a clear and concise thesis statement that outlines the main argument or position of the writer. This statement serves as a guide for the essay and helps the reader understand the writer’s standpoint.
• Evidence and examples: A persuasive essay relies heavily on the use of evidence and examples to support its main argument. The writer presents facts, statistics , expert opinions, and anecdotes to convince the reader of their perspective.
• Counterarguments and rebuttals: Acknowledging counterarguments is an important aspect of a persuasive essay. It involves presenting opposing viewpoints fairly and then providing strong rebuttals to discredit them. This strengthens the credibility of the essay.
• Appeal to emotions: An effective persuasive essay often appeals to the reader’s emotions. This can be achieved through the use of powerful language, personal anecdotes, or emotional examples that evoke a strong response from the reader.
• Call to action: Typically, a persuasive essay concludes with a strong call to action. This urges the reader to take specific measures or adopt the writer’s viewpoint. The aim is to prompt the reader to actively engage with the essay’s argument.

The Differences Between Expository and Persuasive Essays

The differences between expository and persuasive essays can be summarized in several key aspects.

When it comes to writing style, the key factor to consider is the tone and language used in the essay. The Writing Style of an essay can greatly influence how the information is conveyed to the reader.

In an expository essay , the Writing Style is typically objective and informative . It focuses on presenting facts , evidence , and examples in a clear and unbiased manner. The language used is formal and precise , avoiding personal opinions and emotions. The goal of an expository essay is to educate the reader and provide them with a deeper understanding of the topic.

On the other hand, in a persuasive essay, the Writing Style tends to be more subjective and persuasive. The language is often more passionate and uses rhetorical devices to appeal to the reader’s emotions and beliefs. The tone can be assertive and persuasive, aiming to convince the reader to adopt a certain viewpoint or take a specific action. The objective of a persuasive essay is to change or reinforce the reader’s opinion on a particular subject.

The Writing Style in an expository essay is focused on presenting factual information, while the Writing Style in a persuasive essay aims to convince and persuade the reader. Both styles have their own characteristics and approaches, but understanding the differences can help writers effectively convey their message to their audience.

The manner and choice of words employed in an essay are critical factors in effectively communicating the intended message and purpose to the readers. In expository essays specifically, the tone typically assumes an informative, unbiased, and impartial stance. The language utilized is concise , transparent , and devoid of any bias or emotional influence. The objective is to present verifiable information, elucidate concepts, and offer logical explanations to the audience. This approach enables readers to comprehend the subject matter in an impartial manner.

Conversely, persuasive essays employ a more assertive and compelling tone. The language used often exudes passion and conviction, with the aim of convincing readers to adopt the writer’s viewpoint or take action. In persuasive essays, rhetorical devices, emotional appeals, and potent, vivid language may be employed to craft a persuasive argument.

Authors must consider the tone and language employed in their essays in order to effectively convey their message and captivate the readers. The tone and language should be suitable for the purpose and target audience of the essay. Utilizing an informative and neutral tone in an expository essay ensures objectivity and enhances credibility. On the other hand, adopting a persuasive tone in a persuasive essay assists in influencing and persuading readers.

To elevate the tone and language of your essay, it is advisable to employ rhetorical techniques, appropriate vocabulary , and well-structured sentences. Utilize precise and specific language to clearly convey ideas, while avoiding vague or ambiguous statements. Additionally, maintaining consistency in tone and language throughout the essay will ensure a cohesive and coherent flow of ideas.

By giving due attention to the tone and language, writers can effectively convey their message and influence their audience in both expository and persuasive essays. Thus, it is essential to carefully select the appropriate tone and language to make a profound impact on readers.

The goal and objective of a persuasive essay are different from those of an expository essay. Here are the differences:

• The goal and objective of a persuasive essay are to convince the reader to adopt a certain viewpoint or take a specific action. The objective is to persuade and influence the reader’s opinion or behavior.
• In contrast, the goal and objective of an expository essay are to inform or explain a topic to the reader. The objective is to present factual information and provide a clear understanding of the subject matter.
• A persuasive essay uses language and techniques that appeal to emotions , logic , and credibility in order to sway the reader’s opinion. The objective is to persuade the reader through the use of persuasive devices such as rhetorical questions , anecdotes , and expert opinions .
• An expository essay, on the other hand, uses an objective and neutral tone. The language is focused on providing factual information and evidence to support the topic. The objective is to educate the reader and present a balanced view of the subject matter.
• In terms of structure, a persuasive essay usually follows the introduction, body paragraphs with supporting evidence, and a conclusion with a call to action . The objective is to guide the reader towards a specific viewpoint or action.
• An expository essay typically follows a logical and organized structure with an introduction, body paragraphs that present facts and evidence, and a conclusion that summarizes the main points. The objective is to present information in a clear and coherent manner.

The goal and objective of a persuasive essay are to persuade and influence the reader’s opinion or behavior, while the goal and objective of an expository essay are to inform and explain a topic in a neutral and factual manner.

Structure and organization are vital components of both expository and persuasive essays. When crafting your essay, it is essential to consider the following key points:

• Clear structure: Both types of essays should possess a clear and logical framework. This includes an introductory section that provides context and presents a thesis statement, body paragraphs that offer evidence and arguments, and a conclusion that succinctly summarizes the main points.
• Organized paragraphs: Each paragraph should revolve around a single idea or argument. Begin with a topic sentence that clearly articulates the main point, support it with evidence or examples, and conclude with a sentence that smoothly transitions to the next paragraph.
• Coherence and flow: It is crucial to ensure that your ideas flow seamlessly and are logically connected throughout the essay. Employ transitional words and phrases to guide your readers through the various sections and paragraphs.
• Use of evidence: Both expository and persuasive essays necessitate the use of evidence to bolster your claims. Be sure to utilize reliable and pertinent sources, and properly cite them following the appropriate citation style.
• Formatting and presentation: Pay close attention to the overall formatting and presentation of your essay. Employ a consistent font, font size , and formatting style. Additionally, thoroughly proofread your essay to rectify any grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.

By adhering to these guidelines, you can ensure that your expository or persuasive essay demonstrates a well-structured and organized format, enabling your ideas to be conveyed clearly and effectively.

The use of evidence and examples is crucial in both expository and persuasive essays. These elements play a vital role in supporting the claims made by the writer and effectively convincing the reader of the validity of the argument.

In an expository essay, evidence and examples are utilized to provide factual information and explanations. The writer will skillfully present data, statistics, and expert opinions to support their topic and offer a deeper understanding to the reader. For instance, if the essay discusses climate change , the writer may incorporate scientific studies and research to present compelling evidence of its impact on the environment.

Similarly, in a persuasive essay, evidence and examples are employed to sway the reader towards adopting the writer’s point of view. The writer will present compelling facts, intriguing anecdotes, and real-life examples to reinforce their argument and persuade the reader to agree with their stance. For example, if the essay highlights the benefits of exercise , the writer may provide personal stories and success stories from individuals who have achieved improved health through regular exercise.

Both types of essays heavily rely on the use of evidence and examples to support their claims. In an expository essay, evidence is used to inform and educate, whereas in a persuasive essay, evidence is used to influence and persuade. By effectively incorporating relevant and compelling evidence and examples, writers can successfully convey their message and enhance the overall impact of their essays.

Knowing when to use an expository essay or a persuasive essay depends on the purpose and goal of your writing. Here are some guidelines to help you determine when to use each type:

• Expository Essay:

An expository essay is used when:

• You want to inform or explain a topic or concept to your readers.
• You want to present facts, evidence, and examples to support your points.
• Your goal is to provide a clear and objective analysis of a subject.
• You want to educate and increase knowledge on a specific topic.
• You want to describe a process, event, or phenomenon in a straightforward manner.
• Persuasive Essay:

A persuasive essay is used when:

• You want to convince or persuade your readers to adopt your viewpoint or take a specific action.
• You want to present arguments and evidence that support your position on a particular issue.
• Your goal is to influence the reader’s opinion or behavior through logical reasoning and emotional appeal.
• You want to address and refute counterarguments to strengthen your position.
• You want to call for action or propose a solution to a problem.

Understanding the purpose and goal of your writing will help you determine whether an expository essay or a persuasive essay is more appropriate. Consider your audience and the desired outcome of your writing to make an informed decision.

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