How to write an argumentative essay

Understanding the elements of an argumentative essay for middle school ELA students, with a list of argumentative essay ideas at the end.

Introduction

Argumentative essays are a cornerstone of middle school English classes. This type of essay allows students to hone their critical thinking and writing skills by constructing arguments that support their thesis statement. But what exactly goes into an argumentative essay? Let’s break down the four essential elements that make up an argumentative essay.

The thesis statement: The thesis statement is the single most important part of your argumentative essay. It states what you are trying to prove or disprove, and it serves as the backbone of your entire paper. Your thesis statement should be concise, clear, and as specific as possible. It should also provide a roadmap for where your paper is headed and help keep you focused on your main point throughout the rest of the essay.

Evidence: Evidence is one of the most important components of any argumentative essay. You must back up your claims with evidence from reliable sources such as books, articles, websites, or interviews. This evidence can be direct quotes from experts, statistics from credible organizations, or personal anecdotes from those who have experienced what you’re talking about first-hand. Make sure to cite all sources used in MLA or APA format so that readers can easily access them for further research if needed.

Counterarguments: Counterarguments are essential for any good argumentative essay because they show readers that you have taken all sides into account when constructing your argument. Include at least one counterargument in each paragraph (if applicable) so that readers understand that you have thoughtfully considered both sides before coming to a conclusion. Though it may sound counterintuitive, including counterarguments in your essay actually strengthens it by making it more well-rounded and complete!

Conclusion: Finally, no good argumentative essay would be complete without a strong conclusion paragraph - the last chance you have to make an impression on readers and leave them with something to think about after they’re done reading! In this paragraph, sum up all the points made throughout your paper while restating (in different words) the main point made in your thesis statement again at the end for emphasis. Your conclusion should leave readers with something new to consider - perhaps even inspiring them to do more research on their own!

Conclusion

Writing an effective argumentative essay is no small feat; there are many factors that need to be taken into consideration when constructing an effective piece of writing such as this one! From creating a strong thesis statement to providing evidence and counterarguments, each element plays an integral role in strengthening your overall argument and ensuring its success among readers. With practice and patience, anyone can write a powerful argumentative essay - all it takes is time and dedication!

Argumentative essay topic ideas

• Should the school day start later?
• Should students be required to wear uniforms?
• Should cell phones be banned from schools?
• Should students be allowed to have phones in class?
• Should teachers be allowed to use social media with their students?
• Are standardized tests an accurate measure of student achievement?
• Is homework necessary for student success?
• Are too many kids being diagnosed with ADHD?
• Is recess important for students’ physical and mental health?
• Are charter schools better than public schools?
• School uniforms should be mandatory in all public schools.
• College athletes should be paid for playing their sport.
• Cell phones should not be allowed in school.
• The electoral college should no longer decide presidential elections in the United States.
• The electoral college is necessary for preserving democracy in the United States and, therefore, must be kept in place.
• Corporal punishment should be banned in schools.
• Standardized tests are not an accurate measure of student achievement.
• Year-round schooling is a more effective way to educate students.
• Single-sex education is more beneficial for students than co-ed education.
• Recess is an important part of the school day and should not be shortened or eliminated.
• The school day should start later in the morning.
• Homework is a necessary part of the learning process and should not be abolished.
• Social media has a negative impact on student achievement and should be banned in schools.
• School uniforms should be mandatory in all public schools.
• Year-round schooling is a more effective way to educate children.
• Standardized tests are an ineffective measure of student achievement.
• The school day should be shorter, with more time for extracurricular activities and homework.
• Homework should be abolished in all schools.
• Recess should be mandatory in all schools.
• School lunches are unhealthy and should be improved.
• Physical education should be mandatory in all schools.
• Class size does not matter, and smaller classes are not necessary for student success.
• Technology should not be used in the classroom.
• There should be more extracurricular activities offered at school.
• Field trips should be a mandatory part of the curriculum.