Types of Papers:

Argument/Argumentative
While some teachers consider persuasive papers and argument papers to be
basically the same thing, its usually safe to assume that an argument paper
presents a stronger claimpossibly to a more resistant audience.
For example: while a persuasive paper might claim that cities need to adopt
recycling programs, an argument paper on the same topic might be addressed
to a particular town. The argument paper would go further, suggesting specific
ways that a recycling program should be adopted and utilized in that particular
area.
To write an argument essay, youll need to gather evidence and present
a well-reasoned argument on a debatable issue.
How can I tell if my topic is debatable? Check your thesis! You cannot
argue a statement of fact, you must base your paper on a strong position. Ask
yourself

How many people could argue against my position? What would they
say?

Can it be addressed with a yes or no? (aim for a topic that requires
more info.)

Can I base my argument on scholarly evidence, or am I relying on

religion, cultural standards, or morality? (you MUST be able to do
quality research!)

Have I made my argument specific enough?

Worried about taking a firm stance on an issue?

Though there are plenty of times in your life when its best to adopt a balanced
perspective and try to understand both sides of a debate, this isnt one of them.
You MUST choose one side or the other when you write an argument
paper!

Dont be afraid to tell others exactly how you think things should go because
thats what we expect from an argument paper. Youre in charge now, what do
YOU think?
Do
Dont

use passionate language

use weak qualifiers like I believe, I

feel, or I thinkjust tell us!

cite experts who agree with you

claim to be an expert if youre not one

provide facts, evidence, and

statistics to support your position

use strictly moral or religious claims as

support for your argument

provide reasons to support your

claim

assume the audience will agree with you

about any aspect of your argument

address the opposing sides

argument and refute their claims

attempt to make others look bad (i.e. Mr.

Smith is ignorantdont listen to him!)

Why do I need to address the opposing sides argument?

There is an old kung-fu saying which states, "The hand that strikes also blocks",
meaning that when you argue it is to your advantage to anticipate your
opposition and strike down their arguments within the body of your own paper.
This sentiment is echoed in the popular saying, "The best defense is a good
offense".
By addressing the opposition you achieve the following goals:

illustrate a well-rounded understanding of the topic

demonstrate a lack of bias

2

enhance the level of trust that the reader has for both you and your
opinion

give yourself the opportunity to refute any arguments the opposition

may have

strengthen your argument by diminishing your opposition's argument

Think about yourself as a child, asking your parents for permission to do

something that they would normally say no to. You were far more likely to get
them to say yes if you anticipated and addressed all of their concerns before
they expressed them. You did not want to belittle those concerns, or make them
feel dumb, because this only put them on the defensive, and lead to a
conclusion that went against your wishes.
The same is true in your writing.
How do I accomplish this?
To address the other side of the argument you plan to make, you'll need to "put
yourself in their shoes." In other words, you need to try to understand where
they're coming from. If you're having trouble accomplishing this task, try
following these steps:
1. Jot down several good reasons why you support that particular side of
the argument.
2. Look at the reasons you provided and try to argue with yourself. Ask:
Why would someone disagree with each of these points? What would
his/her response be? (Sometimes it's helpful to imagine that you're
having a verbal argument with someone who disagrees with you.)
3. Think carefully about your audience; try to understand their
background, their strongest influences, and the way that their minds
work. Ask: What parts of this issue will concern my opposing
audience the most?
4. Find the necessary facts, evidence, quotes from experts, etc. to refute
the points that your opposition might make.
5. Carefully organize your paper so that it moves smoothly from
defending your own points to sections where you argue against the
opposition.

Forty Topic Suggestions: Argument and Persuasion

1. Dieting makes people fat.

2. Romantic love is a poor basis for marriage.
3. The war on terror has contributed to the growing abuse of human rights.
4. High school graduates should take a year off before entering college.
5. All citizens should be required by law to vote.
6. All forms of government welfare should be abolished.
7. Both parents should assume equal responsibility in raising a child.
8. Americans should have more holidays and longer vacations.
9. Participating in team sports helps to develop good character.
10. The production and sale of cigarettes should be made illegal.
11. People have become overly dependent on technology.
12. Censorship is sometimes justified.
13. Privacy is not the most important right.
14. Drunk drivers should be imprisoned on the first offense.
15. The lost art of letter-writing deserves to be revived.
16. Government and military personnel should have the right to strike.
17. Most study-abroad programs should be renamed "party abroad": they are a waste of time
and money
18. The continuing decline of CD sales along with the rapid growth of music downloads
signals a new era of innovation in popular music.
19. College students should have complete freedom to choose their own courses.
20. The solution to the impending crisis in Social Security is the immediate elimination of
this anachronistic government program.
21. The primary mission of colleges and universities should be preparing students for the
workforce.
22. Financial incentives should be offered to high school students who perform well on
standardized tests.
23. All students in high school and college should be required to take at least two years of a
foreign language.
24. College students in the U.S. should be offered financial incentives to graduate in three
years rather than four.
25. College athletes should be exempted from regular class-attendance policies.
26. To encourage healthy eating, higher taxes should be imposed on soft drinks and junk
food.
27. Students should not be required to take physical education courses.
28. To conserve fuel and save lives, the 55 miles-per-hour national speed limit should be
restored.
29. All citizens under the age of 21 should be required to pass a driving education course
before receiving a license to drive.
30. Any student caught cheating on an examination should be automatically dismissed from
college.
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31. Freshmen should not be required to purchase a meal plan from the college.
32. Zoos are internment camps for animals and should be shut down.
33. University students should not be penalized for illegally downloading music, movies, or
other protected content.
34. Government financial aid for students should be based solely on merit.
35. Nontraditional students should be exempted from regular class-attendance policies.
36. At the end of each term, student evaluations of faculty should be posted online.
37. A student organization should be formed to rescue and care for the feral cats on campus.
38. People who contribute to Social Security should have the right to choose how their
money is invested.
39. Professional baseball players convicted of using performance-enhancing drugs should not
be considered for induction into the Hall of Fame.
40. Any citizen who does not have a criminal record should be permitted to carry a concealed
weapon.