Argumentative essay

    
LENGTH 
The final draft of this essay should be 750–1200 words, or 3-4 double-spaced pages (plus a Works Cited Page). 
ACADEMIC AUDIENCE 
Direct this essay to a diverse audience of classmates. Assume various ethnicities, ages, and backgrounds, and assume your readers are both curious and reasonably educated. 
SAMPLE STRUCTURE 
You should be able to follow your preliminary “outline” to create your overall structure for this essay. Here is one way to organize your research essay: 
Introduction: In the initial draft, include your topic, your claim (or viewpoint) that you plan to defend, and a brief summary of your plan of presenting the evidence. Return to this introduction when you begin your revisions and rework it in terms of voice and interest. 
Body: Aim for 3-5 supporting points, and devote one or two separate body paragraphs to each point. State each point as a way of creating a topic sentence for an evidence paragraph. Each evidence paragraph should have specific support by way of facts, statistics, examples, or other details. Because your Essay 2 topic was more immediate to you, you might have used personal examples. Rely on more objective support here. No use of I, me, or we in the essay. 
Counterargument: After you present your defense, devote one or two developed paragraphs to counterarguments. Begin this part of your paper with a clear transition that indicates an opposing viewpoint. For example, you could begin, “Critics disagree with _______ and feel that _______ is more appropriate. The counterargument portion should clearly state the most reasonable counter position, but it may reference more than one opposing viewpoint. Explain the most compelling counterargument(s); then refute the opposition. Be fair and respectful to your audience, keeping in mind that you are trying to win over readers who don’t agree with you. Offending, insulting, or demeaning skeptical readers will not convince them to accept (or even 
 
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ENGL1302 Essay 3 Instructions 
consider) your viewpoint. Remember: “Be confident but not overbearing…readers nearly always tune out a harsh or insensitive voice, and they are less likely to be convinced by a wishy-washy one” (Inventing Arguments, 164). Use strong, reasonable details to overcome opposing viewpoints. 
Conclusion: The conclusion is an important summing up and review of your evidence and defense. Give your audience a satisfying sense of closure, and leave them with a solid sense of your integrity and your reasonable voice.