Argumentation structure

by Cara Gratton

This site is designed to help students understand the structure of the argumentative essay, so they can write using this style more easily. It shows the purpose and organization of the argumentative essay. Sample readings with questions as well as a list of writing topics are included.

What is an argumentative essay?

Charles Darling's website "Guide to Grammar and Writing", explains what an argumentative essay is. It links to several other pages within the same site, so you can learn more about other aspects of writing such as citing authorities and using statistics.

When do you use this style of writing?

The Paradigm Online Writing Assistant website explains when the argumentative style of writing is used. It links to other pages within the same site to explain the different types of arguments that can be used, i.e., reason, ethics, and emotion.

How is it organized?

The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) website shows how an argumentative essay is organized. It outlines each paragraph of a standard five-paragraph essay. The WriteFix.com website also outlines how to write an argumentative essay. 

Sample essays with questions

• Bill Daly’s website has information on the argumentative essay.
• http://www.ltn.lv/~markir/essaywriting/bothsds.htm  has a sample argumentative essay “Child Care”. When you finish reading the essay, click on the forward arrow at the bottom of the page and answer the questions about the essay.
• At the same website, read the argumentative essay Marine Parks. When you finish reading the essay, click on the forward arrow at the bottom of the page and answer the questions about the essay.
• Before you write your essay, you may want to watch a PowerPoint about the argumentative essay.