Argument Essay Guidelines

Logic and Overall Organization

• The essay is logically organized into paragraphs, with the thesis, or claim, introduced in the first paragraph or at the beginning of the second paragraph.
• Reasons that directly support the claim are stated in successive paragraphs, and a concluding statement is offered in the last paragraph.
• Each paragraph begins with an introductory sentence that announces the paragraph's main point and makes clear the relation of the paragraph to the overall claim.
• Within paragraphs, sentences clearly relate to the topic (first) sentence, and they follow each other in a logical fashion. Each paragraph ends with a concluding sentence that provides a clear transition to the next paragraph.

Example of a policy claim directly supported by reasons:  Dogs should not be permitted off-leash within city limits, because animal rights should not come before human rights.

Reason: Off-leash dogs poop wherever they chose to, usually in other people's yards.

Reason: Off-leash dogs intimidate, frighten, and even attack children.

Development of Ideas

• The writer fully elaborates upon and supports the claim. There is a minimum of five paragraphs in the essay.
• The writer's claim is not oversimplified, given the complexity of the issue: claims are qualified with reasonable restrictions where appropriate.
• Reasons given in support of the claim are explained and supported with appropriate examples, evidence, scenarios, cases, or analogies.

Policy issue: Should children pray in public schools?

Unqualified claim: Children should pray in public schools.

Qualified claim: In public schools, children should be provided some moments of silence every morning. During these moments, they will have the opportunity to pray, form an intention for the day, meditate, or simply entertain their own thoughts.

Sense of Audience

• The writer displays a sophisticated sense of audience: the tone of the essay works to persuade those who take the opposing side of the issue.
• The writer comes across as knowledgeable, concerned, reasonable, and unbiased.
• The writer considers readers with opposing views and moves to persuade them by making appeals to shared concerns or values.

Example of an appeal to shared values: Most parents spank their children because they know their kids need discipline. Without discipline, children become insecure and may well develop antisocial behaviors. But is spanking the best way to develop a child's social skills and build his or her self-esteem? Spanking fosters insecurity in children, which may in turn lead to antisocial behavior.

Implied shared value: It's important for children to develop self-esteem and social skills.

Use of Language

• There are few, if any, spelling errors, grammar errors, or punctuation errors.
• The writer's use of language is descriptive, active, and helps to convey a sense of urgency for the course of action the writer proposes.
• The writer has skillfully blended simple sentences, compound sentences, and complex sentences to add auditory appeal and force to the argument.