Argumentative or Persuasive writing attempts to persuade or convince an audience to agree with the writer's point of view or to take a specific action.

Focus of the essay:

• Make a stand or state a position
• Give three or more reasons to support your position
• Address the counter-argument
• Summarize points in your conclusion

Connect to your audience by:

• Providing Historical Background facts and context of the issue
• Laying out the Common Ground - what points can both sides agree upon?
• Defining any terms that the average reader might not understand
• Including evidence to Concede, Refute or Clarify the argument

Each paragraph in the body must:

• Make a key point
• Contain concrete details, examples or reasons
• Include transition sentences to create of flow of ideas