How to Construct an Essay Argument

Co-authored by Christopher Taylor, PhD

Last Updated: February 26, 2023

An argumentative essay aims to persuade a reader that a claim made in the paper is true by linking the claim to supporting evidence and information. Writing an argument might seem like a daunting task, especially if you don’t know where to begin. To easily construct your argument, you can start by creating a specific thesis statement with claims that you can research, and then build your paper around these claims.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Building a Thesis

1
Answer the question if you’ve been given a prompt. If you’re writing for a class assignment, read the prompt carefully, and then restate the question to start your thesis. Pull information from the question to structure the main points of your argument. This will show your teacher that you’ve considered the question and that you thesis will be a direct response.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- You need to fully understand the prompt before you pick your topic. This will help you pick a topic that's appropriate for the assignment.
- For example, your teacher might ask, “How has advertising in the United States changed as the digital media and online marketing industries grow? What are some examples of these change in modern advertising?” For your thesis, you could start with, “As online marketing emerges as the forefront of consumer communication in the United States,…”
2
Pick an interesting topic and complete some background research. Search for the topic online and find out what scholars and experts have to say about it. Then, choose a point of view that you’re passionate about, and use it as the focus for your paper. It’s much easier to write an argumentative essay when you believe what you’re writing and have facts to back it up!^{[2]
X
Research source}
- If you’re having trouble finding evidence, look for a pattern in the research that you’ve done to see what information might support your initial claims.
- For instance, if you get to write about anything you want, you could choose to write about how it’s better to read a physical book rather than a digital one. When you do research, you might find a few studies that show people are less likely to remember information that they read off of a screen and a few more studies that show that people with high IQ’s tend to read physical books. This is a good sign that your argument will be strong.
Advertisement
3
Summarize the main idea of the main argument that you plan to write. For essays without a prompt, start by writing a simple, factual statement about the topic that you’re going to focus on. Then, develop that statement into a claim by including your opinion about the importance of the statement and how the fact came to be true.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- For instance, in a literary argument about the book 1984, you could start by stating that “Winston’s fear of rats is used against him in Room 101.” Then, you can expand on this statement by saying “George Orwell uses Winston’s fear of rats in Room 101 to liken his characters to caged animals. Throughout the novel, Orwell includes imagery of entrapment, depravity, and helplessness to further this metaphor.”
4
Include the specific ways you’ll make your argument in the thesis. One of the most important functions of the thesis statement is serving as a blueprint for your essay. Include a clearly defined list of the points that you plan to make in your argument. Avoid using any statistics or facts, but summarize the main claims to outline the paper structure.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Once your reader finishes your introduction, they should understand the "what" and "why" of your argument, as well as the "how."
- For instance, you might say something like “Abraham Lincoln changed the course of the Civil War with the Emancipation Proclamation by tying the issue of slavery directly to the war, allowing freed slaves to enroll in the Union Army, and alienating the Confederate Army from foreign aid.”
5
Use a thesis “formula” if you’re having trouble defining your argument. There are many ways to write a thesis, but it can be tough to come up with one on the spot. Put the topic and main points of your argument into a commonly-used thesis format, and then edit the sentence to better fit your argument. This is especially helpful when you know what you want to argue, but aren’t sure how to say it.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- For a literature thesis, you might use “The author uses _______, _______, and _______ to show _______.”
  - With this thesis formula, you might say something like, “John Steinbeck uses imagery, symbolism, and characterization to show the struggle of the average American worker during the Great Depression.”
- For history and anthropology courses, you can try “To many people it may seem that _______, but closer examination of primary documents proves that _______.”
  - For instance, you could write “To many people it may seem that Winston Churchill was always a savvy and confident leader, but closer examination of primary documents proves that he was often unsure of his decisions and faced pushback from other military officials.”
- If you’re writing a science paper, consider using a simple statement, like, “______ is a result of _______, _______, and _______.”
  - With this formula, you could write “The ‘Rainbow Bark’ found on rainbow eucalyptus trees is a result of high levels of chlorophyll, the presence of tannin, and external aging factors.”
Advertisement

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Writing Your Paper

1
Create an outline of the argument using your thesis as a guide. Use a bulleted or numbered list format, starting with the introduction. Most essays include at least 3 body paragraphs with an individual claim and at least 2 points of evidence for each paragraph. As you find the evidence, add a bullet under that claim including the fact and the source. Be sure to also include a spot in your outline for addressing a counter-argument and making your conclusion.
- Use your thesis to build your outline by expanding on the claims that you make in your statement.
- You don’t have to use full sentences when you’re making your outline. It might be helpful to just include names, page numbers, or big ideas that you want to cover in that paragraph. Then, you can build on your outline as you write.
2
Write an informative introduction to attract your reader. Start with an interesting fact, a hypothetical question, or a call to action for the reader. Then, introduce the background of your argument by defining important phrases and information that your reader will need to understand the paper. Close the introduction with your thesis statement.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- For a bold opener for a history paper, you might try writing a newspaper headline from that era.
- If you’re writing a persuasive argument, you could start by asking your reader to question something that they might believe in.
3
Break the body of your argument into claims supported by evidence. Take your outline and translate the information into a topic sentence with supporting evidence. Make sure your claim is well supported by scholarly resources, and provide smooth transition between points. Only focus on 1 claim per paragraph, and use your own thoughts and ideas to connect the evidence to the claim.
- In a literary paper, this might include providing close reading of passages from the novel. After you’ve written your analysis, transition into a quote from a scholarly article that supports your claim.
- For a historical paper, your supporting evidence might be a statistic or a document, like a letter or speech.
4
Include a paragraph to address counterarguments. After you’ve made your claims, prove your understanding of the topic by writing a little bit about the opposing arguments. This is called a concession or rebuttal, which shows the reader you've researched multiple sides of the argument. State the opposing argument and acknowledge that it contains good points. Then, make your case as to why your point of view is correct according to the available evidence.
- Showing you considered other arguments strengthens your credibility, or ethos, on the topic.
- Try to avoid logical fallacies, like attacking the character of someone with an opposing viewpoint or incorrectly stating their position.
- Don’t be afraid to refer back to your previous claims that you’ve made in your body paragraphs.
5
Craft a conclusion that reiterates the importance of your topic. At the close of your essay, talk a bit about how your argument fits into a larger context or further questions that stem from your argument. Restate your main argument and why it provides a worthwhile contribution to an ongoing conversation involving the topic.
- Your conclusion should leave an impression on your reader and give them something to think about once they put the paper down.
Advertisement

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Making a Clear and Interesting Argument

1
Use quotations, paraphrasing, and summaries for your evidence. To keep your reader interested in your paper, try different means of including your supporting information. State the facts in your own words, make a general statement about the information, or include direct quotations. Be sure to include citations for any ideas that aren’t your own.^{[7]
X
Trustworthy Source

University of North Carolina Writing Center
UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process

Go to source}
- For instance, if you have a direct quote in a paragraph, try using a summary for your other form of supporting evidence.
2
Make sure the paragraphs are arranged logically according to the topic. When you’re writing your paper, pay attention to how you arrange your paragraphs. In an argument, you should present your information in a defined pattern that works by building the evidence into a conclusion or by using logical syllogisms to infer a conclusion from a set of premises.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- In a historical or literary essay, it might make sense to organize your paper chronologically or spatially, depending on the type of argument you’re making.
- For a scientific essay, you might order your arguments from those supported by specific observations to those supported by more generalized facts.
- If you rearrange your paragraphs at any point, make sure your thesis reflects the new structure of your paper and states the claims in the order that they will appear in your essay.
3
Revise your essay by evaluating the content and structure. Wait at least a day before taking another look at your essay, and try to read it from the perspective of your audience. Make a new outline from the paper and include all of the claims, supporting evidence, and other information that you’ve written. Ask yourself if you’re missing any information or if you can strengthen your argument in any way.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- It may be helpful to have someone else read your paper and ask questions or point out places of confusion. This can give you ideas to think about for restructuring paragraphs or reorganizing the paper altogether.
Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

How do I write an essay about supporting details and how to create and use them constructing essays?

Christopher Taylor, PhD
English Professor
Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014.

Christopher Taylor, PhD

English Professor

Expert Answer

If you want to write an essay about using supporting details, you can read articles like this one. These article can help you understand how crucial supporting details are when you're presenting an argument.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2
Question

How do I write an essay on browsing the web?

Christopher Taylor, PhD
English Professor
Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014.

Christopher Taylor, PhD

English Professor

Expert Answer

Start by finding your perspective on the topic of "browsing the web." Consider the issues, controversies, and disagreements surrounding this idea.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 3

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

If you get frustrated with your paper, take a step back for an hour or so and return to the writing desk with a clear mind.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Don’t be worried if you find papers or opinions that contradict your own. The point of the argumentative essay is to do a better job of supporting your claims than they do of supporting theirs.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0