ARGUMENT ESSAY TEMPLATE – ENGLISH 7
Instructions: Read the article you have been assigned and take great notes. Highlight any direct quotes that you think you
might be able to use in your essay. Then, complete the following:
1. What Is the Question You Are Answering?
This should be asked in the article you just read. It is sometimes the title of the article, but not always. Some examples: “Is
technology killing our friendships?” “Should kids play football?” “Would you move to Mars?” “Should kids still learn
cursive handwriting?” Write the argument question below.
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2. Identify Evidence
Identify evidence from the article that supports each side of the debate. Evidence is in the form of direct quotes—you are
copying a quote directly from the article.
YES SIDE
Quote #1
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Quote #2
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Quote #3
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NO SIDE
Quote #1
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Quote #2
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Quote #3
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3. Write your claim
State your claim. I’m having you write this first so that you know what you will be arguing in your essay. You will then
simply copy your claim into the claim portion of the introductory paragraph (e.g., Q. Should kids play football? Your
claim: Football is a healthy way for kids to compete, gain self-confidence, and get in shape. OR Football is a dangerous
sport that is not worth the repercussions later on in life.).
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4. Introductory Paragraph
Sentence 1 is your LEAD. See your “Leads” paper for examples of different types of leads. Remember, it should “wow”
me and it should make me want to keep reading.
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Sentence 2 is your TRANSITION. This can be some background information on the topic; it also might introduce the
claim. It serves as a type of “bridge” between the lead and the claim. It should not be evidence from the article.
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Sentence 3 is your CLAIM (also known as a “thesis”, it is ALWAYS the last sentence in your introductory paragraph).
Your claim is what your essay is about—it is what you will prove in your essay. This sentence is the most important
sentence in your essay—everything else hinges on this claim.
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5. Body Paragraph 1 (Main Point #1, supports your claim, in the form of a perfect paragraph)
Sentence 1 is your TOPIC SENTENCE (TS). Your TS is the main idea of the paragraph, or what the paragraph is about.
Keep it short and simple.
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Sentence 2 is your CONCRETE DETAIL (CD). Your CD should be a direct quote from the article. You should give
credit to who said it and where you found it. It should prove your TS is correct and is should support your CLAIM in your
introductory paragraph.
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Sentences 3 and 4 are your COMMENTARY sentences (CM). Your CM is your opinion. This is where you get to say
what you want. You are saying something original and unique using your brain. These are your own interesting ideas.
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Sentence 5 is your CONCLUDING SENTENCE (CS). Your CS wraps up the paragraph. It pulls together the main idea
of the paragraph (your TS) in a single sentence and gives it a “finished” feeling.
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6. Body Paragraph 2 (Main Point #2, supports your claim, in the form of a perfect paragraph)
Sentence 1 is your TOPIC SENTENCE (TS). Your TS is the main idea of the paragraph, or what the paragraph is about.
Keep it short and simple.
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Sentence 2 is your CONCRETE DETAIL (CD). Your CD should be a direct quote from the article. You should give
credit to who said it and where you found it. It should prove your TS is correct and is should support your CLAIM in your
introductory paragraph.
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Sentences 3 and 4 are your COMMENTARY sentences (CM). Your CM is your opinion. This is where you get to say
what you want. You are saying something original and unique using your brain. These are your own interesting ideas.
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Sentence 5 is your CONCLUDING SENTENCE (CS). Your CS wraps up the paragraph. It pulls together the main idea
of the paragraph (your TS) in a single sentence and gives it a “finished” feeling.
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7. Body Paragraph 3 (Counterclaim, in the form of a perfect paragraph)
Sentence 1 is your TOPIC SENTENCE (TS). Your TS is the main idea of the paragraph, or what the paragraph is about.
Keep it short and simple. Use this as your counterclaim topic sentence: There are some who believe that
________________; however, ____________________.
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Sentence 2 is your CONCRETE DETAIL (CD). Your CD should be a direct quote from the article. You should give
credit to who said it and where you found it.
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Sentences 3 and 4 are your COMMENTARY sentences (CM). Your CM is your opinion. This is where you get to say
what you want. You are saying something original and unique using your brain. These are your own interesting ideas.
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Sentence 5 is your CONCLUDING SENTENCE (CS). Your CS wraps up the paragraph. It pulls together the main idea
of the paragraph (your TS) in a single sentence and gives it a “finished” feeling.
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8. Conclusion
Leave your audience convinced that you are right. First, restate your opinion in a new way. Second, summarize your
reasons in a single sentence. Third, call on your audience to take some kind of action—your very last sentence should be a
“zinger,” one that leaves the reader thinking “wow.”
Some things NOT to do in your conclusion: do not introduce new information; do not provide more evidence; don’t say “I
just told you that…” or “I just said that…” or “this proves that…” or “thank you for reading my essay.”
The conclusion is the portion of the essay that will leave the most immediate impression in the mind of the reader;
therefore, make it effective and logical. Shorter is better than longer—if it is too long, the reader tires and you lose that
“punch” that should come at the end. Write your conclusion below.
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