This resource teaches you how to write argumentative essays step-by-step. They are known as persuasive essays or opinion essays in Australia. The aim is to convince the reader of a particular point of view by presenting evidence and arguments.
Argumentative Essay Theory
How to write an argumentative essay.
Topic: Should children ride bikes to school?
INTRODUCTION
In the introduction, you must write a topic sentence, your opinion, and the three points you will talk about in your essay. You can remember this by using the acronym: TOP
TOP
T = TOPIC SENTENCE
O = OPINION
P = POINTS
Topic sentence: Write a few words introducing the topic, for example:
Currently, there is a debate about whether children should ride bikes to school.
Opinion: Write your opinion clearly. This is your point of view and is also called the main contention. For example:
Without a doubt, children should not ride bikes to school.
Points: These are your three strongest arguments. Write the three points you will talk about in your essay, for example:
This is because the weather can change quickly, children can be kidnapped, and accidents can happen.
These points (your arguments) will be discussed in the body paragraphs. Each body paragraph talks about one point. The body paragraphs must be in the same order as the points in your introduction, for example:
Paragraph 1 : The weather can change quickly.
Paragraph 2 : Children can be kidnapped.
Paragraph 3 : Accidents can happen.
BODY PARAGRAPHS
The body paragraphs are where you talk about your points. You need to start each paragraph with a transition word; for example, ‘firstly’, ‘additionally’, ‘lastly’. Then, you need to talk about your point, provide an example, explain, and lastly, end with a linking sentence. The linking sentence links the point you talked about in your body paragraph to your opinion.
PEEL
P = POINT
E = EXAMPLE
E = EXPLANATION
L = LINKING SENTENCE
Point: This tells the reader what the paragraph is about, for example:
Firstly, riding bikes to school is not a good idea because the weather can suddenly change.
Example: Provide an example to help explain your point, such as:
For example, it can start raining.
Explain: Explain your example, for instance:
This means children can get wet, cold and sick. If they become unwell, they could miss school or even have to go to the hospital.
Linking sentence: End the paragraph by linking your point to your opinion.
Thus, children should not ride bikes to school because of the unpredictable weather.
CONCLUSION
The conclusion is a summary of your essay. It starts with a concluding sentence; for example: in conclusion, in summary, as you can see. You also need to include your opinion and three points. Finally, the conclusion ends with
a strong concluding sentence.
COPS
C = CONCLUDING PHRASE
O = OPINION
P = POINTS
S = STRONG CONCLUDING SENTENCE
Concluding phrase: The concluding phrase tells the reader that the essay is ending.
For example:
In conclusion... In summary... As you can see...
Opinion: Write your opinion as you did in the introduction, but try and use different words, for example:
It is clear that children definitely should not ride bikes to school.
Points: Write your three points again. For example:
The weather is unpredictable, people can kidnap them, and they can be seriously injured in accidents.
Strong concluding sentence: A strong final sentence that can stick in the reader's mind, for example:
It’s not worth it; risky rides ruin lives.
FULL ESSAY EXAMPLE USING THE ACRONYMS
Topic: Should children ride bikes to school?
Introduction
T - There is currently a debate about whether children should ride bikes to school.
0 - Without a doubt, children should not ride bikes to school.
P - This is because the weather can change, they can get kidnapped, and accidents can happen.
1st Body Paragraph
P - Firstly, riding bikes to school is not a good idea because the weather can suddenly change.
E - For example, it can suddenly start raining.
E - This means that children can become wet, cold and sick! If they become unwell, they could miss school or even have to go to the hospital.
L - Thus, children should not ride bikes to school because of the unpredictable weather.
2nd Body Paragraph
P - Additionally, children can get kidnapped while riding bikes to school.
E - For example, people can wait for them on the bike path and take them away.
E - If this happens, they may never be seen again.
L - Therefore, children should not ride bikes to school because it is unsafe.
3rd Body Paragraph
P - Furthermore, accidents can happen when children ride bikes to school
E - For example, they can get hit by a car.
E - This means they can get hurt or even die.
L - Thus, children should not ride bikes to school because it is dangerous.
Conclusion
C - In conclusion,
O - children should not ride bikes to school
P - because the weather is unpredicable, people can kidnap them, and accidents can happen.
S - It is unsafe for children to ride bikes to school; risky rides ruin lives.
FULL ESSAY
Topic: Should children ride bikes to school?
There is currently a debate about whether children should ride bikes to school. Without a doubt, children should not ride bikes to school. This is because the weather can change, they can get kidnapped, and accidents can happen.
Firstly, riding bikes to school is not a good idea because the weather can suddenly change. For example, it can suddenly start raining. This means that children can become wet, cold and sick! If they become unwell, they could miss school or even have to go to the hospital. Thus, children should not ride bikes to school because of the unpredictable weather.
Additionally, children can get kidnapped while riding bikes to school. For instance, people can wait for them on the bike path and take them away. If this happens, they may never be seen again. Therefore, children should not ride bikes to school because it is unsafe.
Furthermore, accidents can happen when children ride bikes to school. For example, they can get hit by a car. This means they can get hurt or even die. Thus, children should not ride bikes to school because it is dangerous.
In conclusion, children should not ride bikes to school because the weather is unpredictable, people can kidnap them, and accidents can happen. It is unsafe for children to ride bikes to school; risky rides ruin lives.
Improve your writing with our word and sentence banks

Introduction Sentence Bank
Discover sentences to start your topic sentence, express your opinion and state your points.

Body Paragraph Sentence Bank
Discover transition words and sentences to introduce your point, provide and explain an example, and link your point to back to your main contention.

Conclusion Sentence Bank
Discover sentences and transition words to start your conclusion, write your opinion, state your points and provide a strong concluding sentence.

Persuasive Devices
Word banks and sentences for low and high modality words. For example, should (low modality) and must (high modality).

Argumentative Essay
Word Banks
Discover important words used in persuasive writing. There are several synonyms to discover and use for common words.

How to say
Discover sentences that help you say what you're thinking in a powerful way.