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Home : Essay types : Argument essay

Argument essay is not nasty
But it can be tricky for the unwary

Like so many terms in the English language arts curriculum, the term argument has a specialized meaning quite different from its meaning in everyday conversations.

I'll give you a hint: the fraught, emotion-packed image below is far from what the term means within the discipline of English.

boy and girl not speaking following argument

Definition of argument

A literary argument is a writing genre, just the way a sonnet is a writing genre. When an English teacher assigns an argument essay or argument paper, the assignment isn't an excuse for writers to rant about something that really gets them hot under the collar.

In fact, as a literary genre argument is anything but hot under the collar. It's all about facts: hard, cold, facts.

Contrast to persuasive essay

An argument uses the basic thesis-plus-support organization familiar from persuasive essays. It adds one element to that pattern: refutation.

In a persuasive essay, the writer argues for his or her own position. Persuasive writers pretty much ignore any opposition to their thesis after they have found there is adequate material to make a case for their side.

That means that as long as Caitlin can find three pieces of evidence to support each of her three supporting points, she can go ahead with her essay. It does not matter whether:

  • There are only nine pieces of evidence for her thesis and 867 against it.

  • Every one of her sources is an inmate in a lunatic asylum.

  • Her evidence was first published in 1757.

How can that be? Because the persuasive essay is not a social document. Its purpose is not to start a conversation about a topic. It delivers a message. Period. End of story.

Argument essays open dialogue

By contrast, the argument is an interactive, social document. It sets out to discuss a topic from at least two perspectives.

The writer learns the arguments on both sides of the question. Then she or he uses facts and logic to refute the opposition's position.

Such writing requires a far more mature and thoughtful analysis of the material than a straight persuasive pattern essay. The writer must:

  • Take into consideration the amount of evidence on each side.

  • Consider the credentials of the sources on both sides.

  • Use the most current, relevant evidence on both sides.

There is nothing underhanded about a true argument. It is respectful of people and of facts. It seeks a thorough understanding.

No argumentativeness

By contrast, the term argumentative has very negative connotations. It refers to some person or group that seems to enjoy arguing for the sake of making a fuss. An argumentative person is likely to flare up, spout off in an angry and undignified way, and either stomp out or go into a "I'm so hurt" snit.

Sadly, many times when teachers assign students to write argument papers, students rant about something that they know next-to-nothing about.

They usually give the impression that anyone who disagrees with them is either an imbecile or a criminal. Such students confuse arguing with being argumentative.

Being able to argue is a mark of maturity; it requires thought, precision, and respect for others' opinions.

Being argumentative is juvenile.

Linda Aragoni  says

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Linda

Linda Aragoni

 

Photo Credit:
Argument
by Kd5ytx

 

 

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