Write Good CONTENT for an
Argumentative Essay INTRODUCTION
Argumentative Essay INTRODUCTION
A
good introduction in an argumentative essay acts as a good opening statement in a trial. Just like
a lawyer, a writer must present the issue at hand, give background, and put
forth the main argument -- all in a logical, intellectual and persuasive way.
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Start your
introduction with a sentence that gets the reader interested in the topic. To
pique the reader's interest, you can begin with a quote, a personal story, a
surprising statistic or an interesting question. For example, if you are
arguing that smoking should be banned from all public places, you can start
your introduction by referencing a statistic from a verified source:
"Tobacco use kills more than five million people every year -- more than
HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined, according to the World Health
Organization." This strategy grabs the reader's attention while
introducing the topic of the essay. {You can use source
content as your HOOK.}
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Providing
readers with background on the topic allows them to better understand the issue
being presented. This information provides context and history that can be
crucial to explaining and arguing your point. For example, if you are arguing
that there should never be a military draft in the United States, your
introduction can include information about the history of the U.S. draft and
the events that led to it being abolished. {You cannot use
source content in the BACKGROUND.}
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The thesis
is the essence of an argumentative essay.
In a single, clear sentence, it sums up what point you are trying to make.
The thesis statement should assert a position on a particular issue --
one that a reader can potentially argue against. Therefore, the thesis
cannot be a fact. For example, if a professor assigns the general topic of
war, you can formulate the following thesis statement: "The United
Nations must be redesigned because it is currently incapable of preventing
wars." The rest of your essay serves to explain and provide evidence in
support of your thesis statement. {You MUST NOT use source
content as part or all of your THESIS.}
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A good
introduction should not be describing arguments or providing analysis that
belongs in the body paragraphs. Your introduction should introduce and set up
your point, rather than lay out evidence to support it. Also, while your
intro is a road map for the rest of the essay, you shouldn't explicitly
announce what and how you will be arguing: "I am going to prove to you
that ..." This type of set up does not add any pertinent information and
only serves as filler.
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NOTE!!! The example is written
in 1st person
voice—which is a BIG no-no in academic writing.
All academic writing--especially
argument writing--must be in 3rd person voice.
See the Essay Structure links for
more assistance with your INTRODUCTION.]
SAMPLE THESIS STATEMENTS
Proposal Argument:
- Drug companies who manufacture opioid-based pain killers must take responsibility for the opioid crisis in America by paying for Public Service Announcements (PSAs) to educate the country, using part of the revenue from such medications to pay for free or reduced clinics to assist those addicted, and providing overdose-reversing medications to first responders to help save lives of those who overdose.
- To combat the opioid crisis in America, Public Service Announcements (PSAs), public school curriculum about opioid abuse, and overdose prevention medications must be provided to bring awareness and lifesaving precautions to the public.
These sample theses contain the argument as to 'what needs to be done to alleviate the opioid crisis in America,' and they are addressing this issue from the proposed steps for change. The sentences clearly delineate the progression of argument for the body paragraphs and assert a very precise argument viewpoint.
Ethical Argument:
- Christians in America must oppose all genetic modifications in the scientific communities because it unethically engages in murder, idolatry, and coveting.
- Americans must oppose embryo genetic modification yet allow free-will choices for adults to receive personal genetic modification based on the ethical beliefs of equality and the pursuit of happiness.
Cause/Effect Argument:
- Social media has altered reality for young generations through false popularity, cyberbullying, and increased sexuality, resulting in a more devious and depressed culture of Americans.
- The culture of the American family has been altered by social media through a lack of personal communication and device addiction.
These sample theses contain the argument as to 'the cause/effect relationship between social media and cultural changes in America,' and they are addressing this issue from the cause/effect style argument layout. The sentences clearly delineate the progression of argument for the body paragraphs and assert a very precise argument viewpoint.
Some of the content was modified by J. Dick from
Soheila Battaglia’s article at https://education.seattlepi.com/write-good-argumentative-essay-introduction-1484.html
SAMPLES and additional guidance created by J. Dick
Go to
for a detailed handout about the INTRODUCTION created
by me—J. Dick!
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References
About the Author
Soheila
Battaglia is a published and award-winning author and filmmaker. She holds an
MA in literary cultures from New York University and a BA in ethnic studies
from UC Berkeley. She is a college professor of literature and composition.
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