How to write the introduction of an argumentative essay
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The argumentative essay is a genre of writing that requires the student to investigate a topic
The argumentative essay is commonly assigned as a capstone or final project in first year writing or advanced composition courses and involves lengthy, detailed research. Expository essays involve less research and are shorter in length. Argumentative essay assignments generally call for extensive research of literature or previously published material.
Argumentative assignments may also require empirical research where the student collects data through interviews, surveys, observations, or experiments. Regardless of the amount or type of research involved, argumentative essays must establish a clear thesis and follow sound reasoning.
In the first paragraph of an argument essay, students should set the context by reviewing the topic in a general way. Next the author should explain why the topic is important exigence or why readers should care about the issue. Lastly, students should present the thesis statement. 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. Transitions are the mortar that holds the foundation of the essay together.
Transitions should wrap up the idea from the previous section and introduce the idea that is to follow in the next section. Each paragraph should be limited to the discussion of one general idea. This will allow for clarity and direction throughout the essay.
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. Some paragraphs will directly support the thesis statement with evidence collected during research. It is also important to explain how and why the evidence supports the thesis warrant. However, argumentative essays should also consider and explain differing points of view regarding the topic.
Depending on the length of the assignment, students should dedicate one or two paragraphs of an argumentative essay to discussing conflicting opinions on the topic. Rather than explaining how these differing opinions are wrong outright, students should note how opinions that do not align with their thesis might not be well informed or how they might be out of date.Tapping to Agree I hereby consent to the use of cookies, confirm that I have read Cookie Policy and allow this website to collect and process my personal data in a safe and secure way.
When your professor assigned it to you, you may have had the urge to debate on the intricacies of an argumentative essay. What is it? Why do you need to write it? And how are you going to accomplish it? First of all, you will need to know what an argumentative essay is. It is a genre of writing that requires you to do considerable research on a topic, collect evidence and data, evaluate your findings, and defend the resolution to your whole argumentative essay within the paper itself.
Sometimes people confuse an argumentative essay with an expository essay, possibly because the two involves research. The only difference is that argumentative essay prompts requires more time and effort to produce, since it is usually the last project assigned in a subject during a non-graduating class semester.
The best part is that you can also use argumentative essays tips to write a scholarship essaya convincing pitch at work, and many others. Any writing work requires an impeccable introduction in order to transition to the succeeding parts of the paper. Without it, there is no paper. And without a paper, you have no grade at all. To give you a better idea on how impactful an introduction is, this is considered as your winning statement.
Still, it has to be short enough to leave more room for discussion in the succeeding parts of your essay. It contains a thesis statement located in the first paragraph of the essay, preferably the first sentence.
This is essentially the log line of your argumentative essay. The professor who assigned your argumentative essay prompt wants to know what the essay is about at first glance and not have to read through a lengthy introduction that does not contain anything useful. The transitions between the introduction, body, and conclusion are clean and understandable.
You have to smoothly slide in your next discussion with a strong connection to the previous paragraph. This is done by using proper writing skills and grammar usage. You cannot just list down the sources and numbers you used to create your argumentative essay. You need to properly explain how you found it, where you found it, and how you used it.
How to write an essay introduction
Even if it is more of a qualitative essay, you still have to emphasize the origin of your quotes and the development of your ideas. This is what you need to close it all down. You cannot leave your professor — or anyone else reading your argumentative essay — hanging. They need to know how it all ends and why they ended up there in the first place. More importantly, your conclusion has to prove that your argumentative essay is leaning heavily in your favor.
Your whole essay is important, but the keystone for your argumentative essay is your introduction. It is the first thing people will see and it is what they will continuously return to as they read through your whole essay. Your introduction is where you will explain why you chose the topic and how you came up with the conclusion. It is essentially a condensed version of your essay, but with little mention of what really went on. That part is discussed in the body. As for your results, you may mention the final verdict, but the conclusion can elaborate on that more.
Without the introduction, you cannot hope to keep the reader hooked through the body, let alone until the conclusion of your essay.Published on February 4, by Shona McCombes. Revised on October 15, A good introduction paragraph is both engaging and informative. The main goals of your introduction are to:. This introduction example is taken from our interactive essay example on the history of Braille. The invention of Braille marked a major turning point in the history of disability.
The writing system of raised dots, widely used today by blind and visually impaired people, was developed by Louis Braille in nineteenth-century France. Table of contents Hook your reader Give background information Present your thesis statement Check and revise More examples of essay introductions Frequently asked questions about the essay introduction. Your first sentence sets the tone for the whole essay, so spend some time on writing an effective hook.
Avoid overly broad claims or plain statements of fact. The improved example here is still broad, but it gives us a much clearer sense of what the essay will be about.
Instead of just stating a fact that the reader already knows, the improved hook here tells us about the mainstream interpretation of the book, implying that this essay will offer a different interpretation. Next, give your reader the context they need to understand your topic and argument. Depending on the subject of your essay, this might include:. The information you give should be broad but clearly focused and relevant to your argument. How much space you need for background depends on your topic and the scope of your essay.
In our Braille example, we take a couple of sentences to introduce the topic and sketch the social context that the essay will address:. Scribbr editors not only correct grammar and spelling mistakes, but also strengthen your writing by making sure your paper is free of vague language, redundant words and awkward phrasing.
See editing example. This is your thesis statement — a sentence or two that sums up your overall argument. This is the most important sentence in your introduction. If your argument has gone in a different direction than planned, tweak your thesis statement to match what you actually say. You have a strong introduction - now make sure the rest of your essay is just as good.
This introduction to an argumentative essay sets up the debate about the internet and education, and then clearly states the position the essay will argue for. The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts is on the rise, and its role in learning is hotly debated. For many teachers who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful.
This concern, while understandable, is misguided.When it comes to writing argumentative essaysgetting good grades is no stroll in the park.
Argumentative Essay Introduction
Writing an argumentative essay requires critical thinking and a vast pool of knowledge on the topic. Read on to find out how to master the art of writing argumentative essays using argumentative essay examples as a guide. A good argumentative essay is one that diligently presents facts that supports a viewpoint over another. Similar to a persuasive essay, it brings to bear arguments and opposing arguments. It evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of an argument and then proves it right or wrong.
It is designed to convince the reader to accept a certain point of view. Facts and logical analogy will serve as the heart and soul of argumentative essay, from the beginning to the very end.
The traditional argumentative essay outline for 5 paragraphs essays consist of one introduction, three body paragraphs, and one conclusion.
Here are examples of 5 paragraph argumentative essays.
Even if it is more of a qualitative essay, you still have to emphasize the origin of your quotes and the development of your ideas. This is what you need to close it all down. You cannot leave your professor — or anyone else reading your argumentative essay — hanging. They need to know how it all ends and why they ended up there in the first place. More importantly, your conclusion has to prove that your argumentative essay is leaning heavily in your favor.