More on argumentative essays

Structuring argumentative essays

Possible structures: For and against

X       Y         OR      X       Y

X1     Y1                 X1 → Y1

↓   ↗   ↓                        ↙

X2     Y2                 X2 → Y2

You may also find this list of possible rhetorical moves very useful in considering what to include in different parts of your essay.

Argumentation

Establishing Arguments (Purdue OWL)

The Toulmin Method

How weak or strong is your argument? You might find Paul Graham's hierarchy useful in evaluating it. Aim for 'counterargument' at a minimum!

Graham's Hierarchy of Disagreement by Loudachris, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.

More important resources

• Rhetorical strategies: Ethos, pathos and logos

• Understanding fallacies

• Cohesion (with key)

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