To determine the credibility of the source, consider authority, currency, accuracy, and objectivity: When gathering evidence, use credible sources. ( NOTE: If there is little evidence in support of the claim, consider re-examining the main argument.) Steps to write an argumentative essay

Step 4: Identify evidence supporting the position. If your position is that the piece is filled with fallacies, then you must present and explain each fallacy.When preparing to compose a good argumentative essay, utilize the following steps:

If you challenge assumptions, then you must explain why they do not hold up. If you challenge the writer’s evidence, then you must present the more recent evidence. Your refutation: The specifics of your counterargument will depend upon the nature of your disagreement. Your position might assert, for example, that a writer has not proved his assertion because he has provided evidence that is outdated, or that the argument is filled with fallacies. Your position: Next, make clear the nature of your disagreement with the argument or position you are refuting. Thus, at the beginning of your paragraph, you need to state, accurately and fairly, the main points of the argument you will refute. The opponent’s argument: Usually, you should not assume that your reader has read or remembered the argument you are refuting. When you rebut or refute an opposing position, use the following three-part organization: The outline below, adapted from Seyler's Understanding Argument, is an example of a rebuttal section from a thesis essay. Organizing your rebuttal sectionįollowing the TTEB method outlined in the Body Paragraph section, forecast all the information that will follow in the rebuttal section and then move point by point through the other positions addressing each one as you go. Therefore, to not consider opposing positions to your own in a fair manner may alienate fence-sitters when they see that you are not addressing their concerns or discussion opposing positions at all. In many cases, these fence-sitters have not decided which side to align with because they see value in both positions. Therefore, the audience you should consider most important are those people who haven't decided which side of the argument they will support-the fence-sitters. People who are completely against your argument-perhaps for ethical or religious reasons-will probably never align with your position no matter how much information you provide. People who are on your side of the argument will not need a lot of information to align with your position. Fence-sitters are people who have not decided which side of the argument to support.

It is important to consider other positions because in most cases, your primary audience will be fence-sitters. If the situation (purpose) calls for you to do this, you will present and then refute these other positions in the rebuttal section of your essay. In order to present a fair and convincing message, you may need to anticipate, research, and outline some of the common positions (arguments) that dispute your thesis. Your structure needs to be flexible enough to meet the requirements of your purpose and audience. Keep in mind that this resource contains guidelines and not strict rules about organization. This resource outlines the generally accepted structure for introductions, body paragraphs, and conclusions in an academic argument paper.

Writing Letters of Recommendation for Students.

Argumentative essay outline