Welcome to Our Blog With Writing Tips and Samples!


5 Ways to Improve Argumentative Writing Skills

Writing an argumentative paper requires not only research and well-thought-out analysis but also taking sides and avoiding bringing too much of yourself into the writing. It is hard to handle this balance, but at the same time, this assignment is one of those you might use to get ready for real-life tasks. Reasoning, making arguments without extra emotions, protecting your ideas using strong words — everything will do for your career path. Use these tips to improve your argumentative writing skills and get better grades this semester.

Improve Argumentative Writing SkillsIdea #1. Use only Strong Words to State Your Point

The most powerful part of speech is the verb. Thanks to a strong word, a simple sentence gets a very strong emotional charge and affects the person reading it. However, a strong word does not always mean florid or complex. For example, write “uses” instead of “exploits,” if you feel that the first word expresses your thought more clearly and intelligibly. Analyze the artistic texts. If you see words or phrases leaving a strong aftertaste, write them down and, if possible, use them. Look for your own phrases: take a dictionary, find a noun, then start adding adjectives to it and try to understand if the result has meaning and emotional charge.

Idea #2. Start Writing a Blog

In this case, you will learn to edit yourself and be more critical of what you are writing about. A blog is very useful for understanding what excites people. They can comment only on one sentence from the whole post, and you will learn how to direct the reader’s attention. You will finally understand that what you are writing is about you, but for others. You will learn how to perceive your finished work (an article, story, post) as a whole, you will understand where to direct the reader’s emotions and what feelings to cause.

Idea #3. Express Ideas in a Natural Way

Start with an output, followed by arguments, or form parcels, and make a conclusion later. In any case: present your ideas in an order that “unfolds” the sequence of your thoughts in the most natural order. In your argumentative essay you can use any amount of arguments you want, but we advise to limit yourself with 5 at most. It is also better to put the most valuable, strong argument in the end. This way you will make sure that a reader remembers your key point. Try to make your last argument unquestionable. Let everything go with the flow — each sentence should logically follow the next sentence, and the beginning of one abstract should logically continue the last sentence of the previous abstract.

Idea #4. Avoid Emotionally Driven Language

Do not try to make your argument attractive by caricaturing the opposite side. As a rule, people defend a position, guided by serious and sincere reasons. Try to understand their point of view – try to understand it correctly – even if you completely disagree with it. A person who doubts any new technology does not call for “returning to the caves”, for example. If you can not imagine how you can adhere to the views that you are attacking, you just do not understand them yet. The rule is: Avoid using a language which sole purpose is to “warm up” emotions.

Idea #5. Add Personal Attitude when Allowed

Your own opinion should be expressed correctly. Your arguments should not repeat what was said in the source text or by your virtual opponent. Dig into your memory, remember what you read about it, what kind of literary associations you have. It is very important that your arguments confirm, prove your point of view and do not just illustrate the same topic. Therefore, for each argument, formulate what exactly you try to prove by the example given.

Argumentative papers are not easy to write, but they allow you to find exciting points of view, proofs of your reasoning, etc.You should remember that each argument you use depicts your attitude, and says something about you personally, even if the topic is rather far from your major sphere of interest. Use these tips to make your arguments flawless and impress your professor with the final draft.