Argumentative Writing

Many essays follow a FIVE PARAGRAPH structure. This is an easy format to remember, and it allows you to clearly state your ideas.

Our essay will include:

Introduction/Thesis Paragraph

Body 1

Body 2

Body 3

Conclusion Paragraph

Your introduction paragraph tells the reader what you are going to write about in your essay. The intro paragraph should tell the reader:

The topic Which side you are taking (Claim)

An idea the REASONS you will give

A basic body paragraph:

Tells ONE of your reasons

Cites evidence

Explains how that evidence shows your reason is true

Reason: State a good reason why your thesis is correct. 

Evidence 1: Introduce your evidence with some context.

Evidence 2: Use facts, statistics, or expert opinions to support your claim. (This is where you quote or paraphrase.)

Commentary: Explain why your evidence is important.

Conclusion: Wrap up by restating your reason in new words.

Reason: Takis have a better flavor than hot cheetos.

Evidence 1: To see how unique Takis flavor really is, you only need to look at the bag.

Evidence 2: Each bag of Takis includes a picture of a lime, highlighting its lime flavor (Takis 3).

Commentary: This is unique to Takis alone, Cheetos don’t have any lime!

Conclusion: This shows that Takis have a special flavor.

Takis have a better flavor than Hot Cheetos.

To see how unique the flavor of Takis really is, you only need to look at the bag. Each bag of Takis includes a picture of a lime, highlighting its lime flavor (Takis 3). This is unique to Takis alone, Cheetos don’t have any lime! This shows that Takis have a special flavor.

Your conclusion paragraph tells the reader what you just explained in your essay. The conclusion paragraph should:

Re-state which side you supported (claim)

Summarize your three reasons

End with a strong statement about WHY you are correct