In order to have an argument, there should be at least two people, two parties, each with a position to prove. Therefore, an argument requires that we not just state and prove our own point, but also respond to specific points made by our opponents. To support our points and responses to those of others, we must present our audience with strong evidence. The purpose of an argumentative essay is to prove that our own position is valid by using examples from sources (not from our personal experience). We must show respect and consideration for our opponents, and thus we should know where they are coming from, understand their position, acknowledge them when they are right, but also demonstrate with evidence that (some of) the points that they make are wrong. Start your introduction with specific information leading to your thesis statement: do not talk about the human nature, the history of the world, or all kinds of controversies readers may encounter. Instead, provide background information that readers need to know about the topic at hand in order to understand and appreciate your position on the topic. End the introduction with a strong, argumentative thesis statement. Your thesis statement is the most important part of the argument: it is your argumentative claim (position) supported by at least three valid reasons. All that remains then is to use evidence from outside sources and your analysis of a primary source (a video, an article, etc.) to back up the reasons and convince your readers that your position is valid. Following the introduction, each of your body paragraphs should focus on one specific reason supporting your claim/thesis. Do not “cram” more than one reason into a single paragraph. Support each reason with specific evidence from an outside source. Make a strong connection between each paragraph and your thesis. If it does not support your thesis, it should not be in your paper. Use smooth transitions between paragraphs. See the resources in the Grammar and Mechanics area of the course for detailed help with transitions. It is important to include a rebuttal of our opponents in our argument. We can always make safe assumptions about arguments those who disagree with us will make. In one of your body paragraphs, provide a preemptive response to potential opponents to show that, despite their objections, your argument is still valid. Be respectful and considerate: if we offend our opponents, they will never join us on our side of the argument. However, you still have to prove them wrong by using evidence that disproves their arguments. Following the rebuttal, the conclusion must be a well-developed paragraph, not just a couple of sentences announcing that this is the end. The purpose of the conclusion is to tie your entire argument with all its reasoning and evidence together into a coherent whole. DO NOT use “I,” “me,” “my” in this essay. Rely only on outside sources, not personal experience. Avoid “you” and “your” in this and all other academic papers because second-person pronouns make our writing too informal and indicate a level of familiarity between us and our readers that most likely does not exist. In my lecture, however, I may use both first and second-person pronouns because it is not an essay. Make sure to cite the sources of all borrowed information (quotations, summaries, paraphrases) both in the text of the paper and on your Works Cited page. Do not save the Works Cited page as a separate document: it is the last page of your paper.