An argumentative essay presents an argument for or against a topic. For example, if your topic is working from home, then your essay would either argue in favor of working from home (this is the for side) or against working from home.
Like most essays, an argumentative essay begins with an introduction that ends with the writer's position (or stance) in the thesis statement.
Introduction Paragraph
(Background information....)
Thesis statement: Employers should give their workers the option to work from home in order to improve employee well-being and reduce office costs.
This thesis statement shows that the two points I plan to explain in my body paragraphs are 1) working from home improves well-being, and 2) it allows companies to reduce costs. Each topic will have its own paragraph. Here's an example of a very basic essay outline with these ideas:
Introduction Paragraph
- Background information
- Thesis statement: Employers should give their workers the option to work from home in order to improve employee well-being and reduce office costs.
Body Paragraph 1
- Topic Sentence: Workers who work from home have improved well-being.
- Supporting details:
- Reasons
- Examples
- Evidence from academic sources
Body Paragraph 2
- Topic Sentence: Furthermore, companies can reduce their expenses by allowing employees to work at home.
- Supporting details:
- Reasons
- Examples
- Evidence from academic sources
Conclusion
- Summary of key points
- Restatement of thesis statement
Does this look like a strong essay? Not really. There are no academic sources (research) used, and also...
You Need to Also Respond to the Counter-Arguments!
The above essay outline is very basic. The argument it presents can be made much stronger if you consider the counter-argument, and then try to respond (refute) its points.
The counter-argument presents the main points on the other side of the debate. Because we are arguing FOR working from home, this means the counter-argument is AGAINST working from home. The best way to find the counter-argument is by reading research on the topic to learn about the other side of the debate. The counter-argument for this topic might include these points:
- Working from home could reduce productivity
- Distractions at home > could make it hard to concentrate
- Dishonest/lazy people > might work less because no one is watching
Next, we have to try to respond to the counter-argument in the refutation (or rebuttal/response) paragraph.
The Refutation/Response Paragraph
The purpose of this paragraph is to address the points of the counter-argument and to explain why they are false, somewhat false, or unimportant. So how can we respond to the above counter-argument? With research!
A study by Bloom (2013) followed workers at a call center in China who tried working from home for nine months. Its key results were as follows:
- The performance of people who worked from home increased by 13%
- These workers took fewer breaks and sick-days
- They also worked more minutes per shift
In other words, this study shows that the counter-argument might be false. (Note: To have an even stronger essay, present data from more than one study.) Now we have a refutation.
Where Do We Put the Counter-Argument and Refutation?
Commonly, these sections can go at the beginning of the essay (after the introduction), or at the end of the essay (before the conclusion). Let's put it at the beginning. Now our essay looks like this:
Introduction Paragraph
- Background information
- Thesis statement: Employers should give their workers the option to work from home in order to improve employee well-being and reduce office costs.
Counter-argument Paragraph
- People might argue that working from home could reduce productivity
- Distractions at home > could make it hard to concentrate
- Dishonest/lazy people might work less because no one is watching
Refutation/Response Paragraph
- Results in China suggest this is false (Bloom, 2014)
- Study: Productivity increased by 14%
- (+ other details)
Body Paragraph 3
- Topic Sentence: In addition, people who work from home have improved well-being.
- Supporting details:
- Reasons
- Examples
- Evidence from academic sources
Body Paragraph 4
- Topic Sentence: Furthermore, companies can reduce their expenses by allowing employees to work at home.
- Supporting details:
- Reasons
- Examples
- Evidence from academic sources
Conclusion
- Summary of key points
- Restatement of thesis statement
The outline is stronger now because it includes the counter-argument and refutation. Note that the essay still needs more details and research to become more convincing.
Working from home may increase productivity.
Extra Advice on Argumentative Essays
It's Not a Compare and Contrast Essay!
An argumentative essay focuses on one topic (e.g. cats) and argues for or against it. An argumentative essay should not have two topics (e.g. cats vs dogs). When you compare two ideas, you are writing a compare and contrast essay. An argumentative essay has one topic (cats). If you are FOR cats as pets, a simplistic outline for an argumentative essay could look something like this:
- Thesis: Cats are the best pet.
- Counter-argument
- People say cats are...
- are unloving
- cause allergy issues
- People say cats are...
- Refutation/Response
- Re: #1, true cats are quite independent and not very needy
- This is a benefit > Many working people do not have time for a needy pet
- Re: #2, this is true
- If you have an allergy, do not buy a cat.
- But for most people (without allergies), cats are great
- Re: #1, true cats are quite independent and not very needy
- Body Paragraph
- Supporting Details
- Supporting Details
- Body Paragraph
- Supporting Details
- Supporting Details
- Conclusion
Use Language in Counter-Argument That Shows Its Not Your Position
The counter-argument is not your position. To make this clear, use language such as this in your counter-argument:
- Opponents might argue that cats are unloving.
- People who dislike cats would argue that cats are unloving.
- Critics of cats could argue that cats are unloving.
- It could be argued that cats are unloving.
These underlined phrases make it clear that you are presenting someone else's argument, not your own.
Choose the Side with the Strongest Support
Do not choose your side based on your own personal opinion. Instead, do some research and learn the truth about the topic. After you have read the arguments for and against, choose the side with the strongest support as your position.
Do Not Include Too Many Counter-arguments
Include the main (two or three) points in the counter-argument. If you include too many points, refuting these points becomes quite difficult.
--
If you have any questions, leave a comment below.
- Matthew Barton / Creator of Englishcurrent.com
Additional Resources:
- Writing a Counter-Argument & Refutation (Richland College)
- Language for Counter-Argument and Refutation Paragraphs (Brown's Student Learning Tools)
Thank you professor. It is really helpful.
Can you also put the counter argument in the third paragraph
It depends on what your instructor wants. Generally, a good argumentative essay needs to have a counter-argument and refutation somewhere. Most teachers will probably let you put them anywhere (e.g. in the start, middle, or end) and be happy as long as they are present. But ask your teacher to be sure.
Thank you for the information Professor
how could I address a counter argument for “plastic bags and its consumption should be banned”?
For what reasons do they say they should be banned? You need to address the reasons themselves and show that these reasons are invalid/weak.
Thank you for this useful article.
I understand very well.
Thank you for the useful article, this helps me a lot!
Thank you for this useful article which helps me in my study.
Thank you, professor
Mylene 102-04
it was very useful for writing essay
Very useful reference body support to began writing a good essay. Thank you!
Really very helpful.
Thanks
Regards
Mayank
Thank you, professor, it is very helpful to write an essay.
It is really helpful thank you
It was a very helpful set of learning materials. I will follow it and use it in my essay writing. Thank you, professor.
Regards
Isha
Thanks Professor
This was really helpful as it lays the difference between argumentative essay and compare and contrast essay..
Thanks for the clarification.
This is such a helpful guide in composing an argumentative essay. Thank you, professor.
This was really helpful proof, thankyou!
Thanks this was really helpful to me
This was very helpful for us to generate a good form of essay
thank you so much for this useful information.