Caleb S.
Caleb S.

13 Techniques for Writing a Compelling Argumentative Essay

7 min read

Published on: Jul 18, 2023

Last updated on: Jul 19, 2023

Techniques for Writing a Compelling Argumentative Essay

Are you struggling to write an argumentative essay that effectively makes your point and convinces your audience? 

Do you find yourself getting stuck or losing focus during the writing process? Don't worry, you're not alone!

Many students and writers struggle with crafting a compelling argumentative essay. 

But fear not!

In this blog post, we'll discuss effective techniques for writing a persuasive, argumentative essay. 

It will grab your readers' attention, convince them of your point of view, and ultimately helps you achieve your writing goals. 

So, let's dive in and explore the essential techniques for writing a compelling argumentative essay.

Tip #1: Allow Yourself Enough Time 

Argumentative essays require extensive research and critical thinking. So it's important to give yourself enough time to gather evidence, organize your thoughts, and write a compelling essay. 

Procrastination can lead to rushed writing and a weaker argument.

Tip #2: Choose a Compelling Topic for Your Argumentative Essay

The first step in writing a compelling argumentative essay is choosing the right topic. However, it can be challenging. 

Select a topic that you care about and has clear opposing views that can make your essay more engaging and enjoyable to write. 

Here are some ways to choose a compelling topic:

  • Consider Your Interests: Think about topics that interest you, such as social issues or current events. This will make the research and writing process more enjoyable.
  • Research Extensively: Once you have chosen a topic, research it extensively to gather evidence and statistics to support your argument. Use reliable sources, such as academic journals and reputable websites, to ensure that your research is credible.
  • Think About Your Audience: Consider your audience and how the topic you have chosen affects them. For example, if your audience is students, you could choose a topic related to education or student life.
  • Focus on Clear Opposing Views: Choose a topic that has clear opposing views, as this will make it easier for you to present a strong argument. For instance, you could argue for or against the use of cell phones in schools.

Order Essay

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That's our Job!

Tip #3: Grab Your Reader's Attention With an Engaging Introduction

The introduction of an argumentative essay is crucial in capturing the reader's attention and setting the tone for the rest of the essay. 

For writing an attention-grabbing introduction:

  • Start With a Hook: Use a hook to grab the reader's attention. This could be a surprising fact, an anecdote, a quote, or a question. For example, "Did you know that the use of cell phones in schools has been a controversial topic for years?"
  • Provide Background Information: Once you have your reader's attention, provide some context and background information on the topic. This will help the reader understand the issue and its importance. For example, "Cellphones have become an integral part of our daily lives, and their use in schools has become a hotly debated topic."
  • State Your Thesis: Finally, end your introduction with a clear thesis statement that presents your argument. This statement should be concise, specific, and debatable. For example, "In this essay, I will argue that the use of cell phones in schools should be banned to improve students' academic performance and minimize distractions."

Tip #4: Structure Your Essay Properly

Structuring your argumentative essay effectively is crucial for conveying your message and convincing your audience. 

Here are some techniques to help you structure your essay for maximum impact:

Use Clear Topic Sentences: Each paragraph of your essay should have a clear topic sentence that introduces the main point of the paragraph. This topic sentence should also tie back to your thesis so the reader understands how each point contributes to your overall argument.

Use Evidence, Facts, And Statistics: To make your argument convincing, you need to provide evidence, facts, and statistics that support your claims. Make sure to use reliable sources and cite them properly.

Address Potential Counterarguments: Acknowledge potential counterarguments and address them in your essay. This demonstrates that you have considered different perspectives and strengthens your own argument. Use evidence and logical reasoning to refute counterarguments.

Tip #5: Use Transitions

Use transitional phrases and sentences to guide the reader through your argument. This helps to keep your essay organized and easy to follow.

Tip #6: Use Clear and Concise Language

Avoid using overly complicated language or jargon. Instead, use clear and concise persuasive language that is easy for your audience to understand.

Tip #7: Vary Sentence Structure and Length

Varying sentence structures and lengths help to keep your writing interesting and engaging. Use short and simple sentences for impact and longer sentences to provide detail and explanation.

Order Essay

Tough Essay Due? Hire Tough Writers!

Tip #8: Use Quotes and Paraphrases

Incorporating quotes and paraphrasing from reputable sources can strengthen your argument and add credibility to your writing.

Tip #9: Use Examples and Anecdotes

Using examples and anecdotes can help to illustrate your points and make your argument more relatable to your audience. 

However, make sure to choose examples that are relevant and support your argument.

Tip #10: Use Credible Sources for Your Evidence 

To strengthen your argument, use reliable and credible sources such as academic journals, books, and reputable websites. Avoid using sources that are biased or lack credibility.

Tip #11: Acknowledge Opposing Viewpoints

While arguing for your stance, it's important to be respectful towards opposing viewpoints. 

Acknowledge counterarguments and provide evidence to refute them, but do so in a respectful manner. This will make your essay more persuasive and credible.

Tip #11: Practice Your Writing Skills

Like any skill, writing requires practice to improve. Regularly practice your writing skills, especially argumentative writing. As argumentative writing skills are important to become a more effective communicator and writer.

Tip #12: Edit and Revise Your Essay After the First Draft

Once you have completed your argumentative essay, it's time to review, edit and revise it. 

Here are some writing techniques to help you improve the quality of your essay:

  • Review your Essay: Carefully go through your essay and identify any errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation. These errors can detract from the clarity and effectiveness of your writing. Use editing software or tools to help you identify and correct these errors.
  • Cut Out Unnecessary Phrases: One of the most common mistakes in argumentative writing is using too many words. Be sure to cut out any words or phrases that are not essential to the argument. This will help make your writing more concise and easier to read.
  • Get Feedback From Others: It's always helpful to get feedback from others to identify areas of improvement in your writing. Ask a friend or family member to read your essay and provide constructive criticism. Take their feedback into consideration and make any necessary revisions to improve your essay.
  • Use Online Tools: There are many online tools available that can help you improve your writing. Grammarly is a tool that can help you identify grammar and spelling errors. Hemingway can help you improve the readability of your writing. 

Tip #13: End Your Argumentative Essay with Impact

Your argumentative essay may be filled with convincing evidence and well-structured paragraphs. But without a strong conclusion, your entire argument falls flat.

  • Summarize the Main Points of the Essay: In conclusion, it's important to summarize the main points of your argumentative essay. This will remind the reader of the key arguments and evidence that you presented throughout the essay.
  • Restate the Thesis in a New Way: Restate your thesis statement in a new way to reinforce the main argument of your essay. This helps the reader remember the main idea of your essay and emphasizes its importance.
  • End With a Call to Action: End the essay with a thought-provoking statement or a call to action that will encourage the reader to continue thinking about the topic. For example, encourage the reader to take action, offer a solution to the problem, or leave them with a question to consider. This will make your essay more memorable and impactful.

It's important to note that the conclusion should not introduce any new arguments or evidence. 

Instead, it should wrap up the essay and leave the reader with a clear understanding of your position on the topic.

Expert Tip

Read our comprehensive guide to learn how to craft a perfect conclusion for you essay!

To Sum it Up, 

Writing a compelling argumentative essay requires time, effort, and attention to detail. 

By following the techniques outlined in this blog, you can effectively structure your essay, develop a clear and concise argument, and persuade your readers to see your point of view. 

Still feel stuck? Master the art of persuasion in your essays with our argumentative essay writing service

Our team of expert writers can assist you with any stage of the writing process, from brainstorming ideas to final revisions. 

Contact our essay writing service to get started!



Caleb S.

WRITTEN BY

Caleb S. (Literature)

Caleb S. has extensive experience in writing and holds a Masters from Oxford University. He takes great satisfaction in helping students exceed their academic goals. Caleb always puts the needs of his clients first and is dedicated to providing quality service.

Caleb S. has extensive experience in writing and holds a Masters from Oxford University. He takes great satisfaction in helping students exceed their academic goals. Caleb always puts the needs of his clients first and is dedicated to providing quality service.

On This Page On This Page

Share this article