Thesis in argumentative essay

by Faziek
(Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia)

I have a problem in writing thesis statements for argumentative essays. Is it needed to include opponents and rebuttal thesis statements alternately or write down thesis statement for opponents before the rebuttal issue?

Linda responds: I think you understand the function of the thesis statement, Faziek. If I understand you correctly, your real problem is organizing the argument essay so it supports your thesis.

If you prepare the argument in the usual thesis and support manner, you put the thesis statement at the end of the introduction right before the body paragraphs. (No evidence goes in the introduction.)

The body paragraphs can be organized by blocks or in zigzag fashion. The method you chose depends on which feels best for the material you have.

In the block organization, you give all the evidence in support of your position in one paragraph or block of paragraphs. Then you give all the opposing material in another paragraph or block of paragraphs. Any rebuttal you have goes into the second block.

In zigzag organization, you give your evidence or reasoning, then your opponents' opposition and any rebuttal you have. The zigzag works at the evidence level, like this:

• My first piece of evidence
• The opposing evidence
• Why the opposition is wrong/why my evidence is superior.
• My second piece of evidence
• The opposing evidence
• Why the opposition is wrong/why my evidence is superior.

Naturally, if there is no evidence to the contrary offered by the opposition, you present just your side.

Incidentally, argument is the correct term even though it sounds wrong. (If one type of essay is narrative, it seems logical that it's opposite should be argumentative, doesn't it? But English is not a very logical language.) Since the time of the ancient Greeks, argument has referred to a logical, well-reasoned polite discussion of an issue. Something that is argumentative is the opposite of argument: argumentativeness is impolite, illogical, and unreasonable.

I hope that gives you some direction, Faziek.