How to Write a Great
Argument Essay
Writing Centre and Study Skills Support, Faculty
of Arts
[email protected]
Dr Jillian Schedneck
[email protected]
What is an essay?
Formal
Logical
Connected
Structured
Persuasive
Referenced
• A writer's attempt to convince readers of the
validity of a particular position
Why do we write essays in university?
• To help you develop knowledge and critical
thinking skills
• To demonstrate your logical thinking and ability
to articulate clear, ordered thoughts
• To help you think more deeply and work out your
reasoned opinion about important issues
Example questions
1. Should Charles Dickens be considered the
greatest English novelist?
2. Why do men and women generally behave
differently? Are the reasons biological or social, or
both? Explain your answer.
Think about how you might answer either of these
questions.
What are both questions asking you to do?
Give your reasoned opinion, commonly referred to
as making an argument.
Step 1: Thesis statement
Decide on your opinion. Write down your thesis statement.
Your thesis statement is your one sentence answer to the
question being asked.
Examples:
Charles Dickens should not be considered the greatest English
novelist.
Charles Dickens should not be considered the greatest English
novelist because there are too many other authors who are
equally great.
Men and women behave differently because of social and
biological differences.
Men and women behave differently mainly because of social
influences, but biological differences play a small role as well.
Step 1: Thesis statement
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usually one sentence
a statement, not a question
identifies the subject of the paper
takes a stand rather than simply announcing a
subject
It is a one-sentence description of your topic and
the argument that you plan to make in the essay.
Step 2: Introduction paragraph
Think of your Introduction paragraph as shaped like an
inverted triangle, or a funnel.
Begin broadly and then become
more specific.
Your thesis statement should be
the last sentence of your
introduction.
This paragraph can be shorter
than the others, from 3-7
sentences.
Step 3: Support
• Decide on some good reasons that will help prove your position
• Collect evidence from the course lectures and assigned
readings, as well as your own searches on the library database
• Gather one reason for each body paragraph, and have evidence
to support each reason
 Create an outline listing your thesis statement and main
reasons—check that your reasons clearly support your thesis.
If your essay is 1500 words, how
many paragraphs do you need?
Hint: 250 words to a page, so 1500 words
is roughly 6 pages.
7-8 body paragraphs = 7-8 reasons
Step 4: Topic sentences
• Each topic sentence should begin by stating one of your
reasons from Step 3. This is an argumentative statement
providing reasons for your position. This statement does
not only provide information, but reasoned opinion.
Examples:
Jane Austen is an English author who should be considered
equal to if not greater than Charles Dickens.
During childhood, children are given
gender specific toys and clothes
which give them strong clues to
influence their gendered behaviour.
Step 5: Developing paragraphs
• Provide evidence to support each reason
• Paraphrase from the research you’ve collected
• Quote sparingly from the research you’ve
collected
• Explain your evidence in your own words
• Include a concluding summary sentence at the
end of each paragraph
• Each new topic sentence
should transition the
reader into the next point
Step 6: Conclusion
• Everyone worries about the conclusion, but
it’s nothing to get anxious about.
• It can be just three sentences, summarising
your thesis statement and main points from
your body paragraph, but using new words.
Step 7: Revise and Proofread
• If possible, print out your draft and wait at
least 24 hours. Then revise and proofread.
Writing is a process! It won’t be perfect
the first time. Allow yourself to make mistakes
and learn how to fix them.
• Double space and 12 point font (don’t hurt
your tutor’s eyes!)
Common problems with essays
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Lack of argument
Introduction too long and complicated
Content goes off topic
Lack of structure or organisation
Paragraphs are either too long or too short
Evidence used within body paragraphs are not
clearly explained
• Missing topic sentences
• Missing conclusion sentences to paragraphs
(summary sentences to end each paragraph)
• Lack of conclusion
Academic Skills Resources course in
your MyUni under ‘Other Courses’
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Essay Writing Basics
Making an Argument
Using Sources
Paragraph Writing
Considering your Audience
Grammar Basics
Advanced Grammar: Cohesion
Final Tips:
• Think of each essay as series of one
paragraph units rather than 1500 to 2500
words in total (which can be overwhelming)
• Write
research
write
• If you’re having trouble, ask for an
extension. The worst that can happen is
that your tutor says “no.”
• Hand SOMETHING in. Your essay draft is
probably better than you think.
• Your tutors and lecturers WANT YOU TO DO
WELL.
There is help!
Study Skills Support: Napier G60,
email [email protected]
to make an appointment
Academic Skills Resources: MyUni
course with online
tutorials for writing essays
English for Uni:
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/english
-for-uni/
Writing Centre: Hub Level 3
Writing Centre learning guides:
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/writing
centre/learning_guides