The Art of Argumentative Essay Writing: Convince Them

Start off by understanding that argumentative essays are not the same as a speech writing arguing about a point. It is as the phrase suggests an essay. Therefore it follows all the formalities of an academic essay writing but, with your focus being solely on supporting a perspective of your choosing without having to worry what the opposition may say.

Check your facts beforehand

As fake news is already a problem, everyone is becoming more vigilant with regards to dubious statements. Before stating facts from the top of your head use the internet to confirm their validity and accuracy. Confirm them from multiple sources before finalizing their place in your argumentative essay. Try if possible to simplify your facts to their most important points. This will help the reader remember and maintain their focus on the argument.

Support your opinions or perspective with authentic evidence

Opinions have more weight to them when supported by facts. Your argument also becomes more legitimate because, there is no ambiguity when it comes to scientifically accepted truths. A rule of thumb is that the more your opinion is validated by authentic sources the stronger your argument essay will be. Regardless of it being a popular perspective or not.

Remember you are writing for people with emotions

Cold hard calculated facts are great but, people do not relate to facts. They relate to emotions. Your argumentative essay should be a well written compilation of evidence supporting your assessment. Your objective in the end is to provide a convincing argument for what you support.
Rather than just straight out writing what you believe, morph your opinion into something that has its own personality. For example a very short story portraying your opinion as something more than itself. It will help your reader visualize and force themselves to find something in that story. Basically your opinion will have more importance for the reader in your argumentative essay, even if they don't agree with it.

Look at the two examples below conveying the same opinion that people affected by war should be allowed refuge.

1. Immigrants from war torn areas must be allowed refuge by nations without hassle.
2. Imagine a family who has had their entire life turned upside down, everything they know is gone, they ran for their lives from the homeland they love and made a treacherous journey with almost nothing in search of security and comfort. They have every right to find security and to sleep without terror. No nation should turn them away. They have every right to seek refuge without harassment.

Both state the same opinions but, the second opinion tries to make us empathetic with the plight of refugees.

Empathy and sympathy are two very important tools. Your tone and style of writing should focus on trying to invoke them from time to time. An argumentative essay is as much dependent on how well supported your opinions are by facts but, equally important is how you frame your opinion and facts together. Try and ask yourself does my statement invoke some emotions in the reader?

Nothing is perfect and neither is your argument

Although in an argumentative essay you need ensure your argument is rock solid but, reality is that nothing is without its flaws. Rather than try to hide the few flaws in your argument and be extremely blunt, try to do one thing: Concede. This may feel like it's counter intuitive to the whole idea of an argumentative essay. But it is better to be transparent and point out a few flaws that everything has. The advantage of doing this is, you have all the control and while you should be transparent but the way you do it matters. Your tone and syntax can make all the difference. Allude the reader to the flaw but, with careful syntax it will not be overbearing on the rest of your argument and bring a fresh perspective to your argumentative essay.

For example an article may talk about the advantages of space travel it can do it in two ways.

1. Space flight is extremely important for the future of mankind. It brings us closer to being extraterrestrial race and develops new technology for our daily lives.

2. Space flight is an endeavor of extreme importance. Although it is extremely expensive and a logistical nightmare but, in trying to combat the costs and other issues the lessons learned and the technology that is developed is worth it. Because to explore the unknown is a basic human urge.

The second paragraph uses one of the biggest points of contention of space travel to its use, all the while maintaining total control over how contentious point is phrased. This is one more technique that can be used in an argumentative essay. Pick up points of contention and prove how they should not be a hindrance.

Break the argumentative essay into four pieces

1. Start your argumentative essay by introducing the topic briefly. No need to go into details but, do not miss out the information that is the key to supporting your argument. Try to mention the other side of the argument. This will allow the reader to understand what the argument is about. Moreover a good argumentative essay should be able to stand a mention from the contending perspective.

2. This is the crux of your entire essay. The second part is where you truly try to sway the reader towards your point. The pointers for this section have already been mentioned above. But you need to remember that confidence in the way you write is extremely important. This is palpable to the reader. Remember do not provide your final answer when you are done with this section. If you do then you are ending your argument prematurely. Doing this makes your argumentative essay look abrupt and anything written below this become useless.

3. This section is purely to avoid making your essay look blunt. As said in the section above mention the few flaws and mention the other side of the debate as well.

4. Lastly this section is where you conclude

How you conclude is extremely important

Since this is the last paragraph you will write this has to be very memorable. Because this is what the reader will remember at the end. A good conclusion basically sums up the entire essay and condenses it into one paragraph. You need to provide the final assessment of the argumentative essay and give a verdict for the reader.