How to Write an Argumentative Paper

If you have been searching around on good instructions on how to write an argumentative paper, then digging into your old philosophy courses taken back in college comes in handy for those who are needing instructions on how to structure an argumentative paper, what kind of content to avoid, and what kind of content to include.

First of all, in my basic college freshman class for Western philosophy, I was handed a set of instructions to write an exegesis on my philosophical interpretation of the most famous Western philosophers.  Below are some of the tips that I was given by the instructor on how to write an argumentative paper.

1. First, always use plain English.  Avoid using expert jargon for the benefit of your audience and to make a strong point.  The whole point of this first bit of advice is to make sure your paper has clarity.
2. To ensure clear writing, use simple and straightforward sentences, sentence structure, and paragraph structure.
3. Next, make sure that the ideas that you express are very, very clear to you.  You cannot argue an idea or a point unless you fully understand the premise upon which you are arguing.  Then begin from this point in forming the thesis for your argument by utilizing your idea as your premise.
4. Get straight to the topic or premise under consideration.
5. Use evidence that supports your interpretation of the premise or topic.
6. Keep your paper relevant; avoid digressing into other subjects and drifting off course.
7. Make sure that you understand your opponent's ideas and avoid using fallacies to attack your opponent or circular argumentation.
8. Make sure that your premise supports the conclusion that you are drawing in your argument; in other words, you must use logical support of your conclusion.  Deciding whether or not your premises really do support the conclusions you make is what reasoning is all about.

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