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Cathy A.
Cathy A.

How to Create an Argumentative Essay Outline that Impresses

6 min read

Published on: Jan 6, 2020

Last updated on: Mar 21, 2023

Argumentative Essay Outline

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Writing an argumentative essay can be daunting, especially if it's the first time you've attempted one.

Not sure where to start or what structure to follow? This can leave you feeling overwhelmed and discouraged.

EssayWriter.college provides a step-by-step guide on how to write an argumentative essay as well as examples to help you get started. With our help, writing your essay will be a breeze!

So keep reading to learn more!

How to Write an Argumentative Essay Outline

Writing an essay outline is a great way to plan your argumentative essay. It not only helps you organize your arguments, but it also helps you structure them in an effective format. 

Here are some steps you can take to create a helpful outline:

Choose Your Topic

Before you can write your essay outline, you’ll need to decide on a topic. Make sure that the subject is one that interests you. It should have two or more sides of an argument so that you can discuss both sides in your essay.

Expert Tip

Can’t come up with a topic? Here’s an extensive list of argumentative essay topics you can choose from!

Create an Argumentative Essay Outline Format

Once you’ve decided on your topic, it’s time to create an outline. An argumentative essay has four main components:

  • Introduction - Introduces the reader to the subject of the essay and presents both sides of the argument.
  • Body - Explains each side of the argument in detail by providing evidence and examples to support each claim. The last body paragraph presents the opposing arguments.
  • Conclusion - Summarises both sides of the argument and presents a ‘final’ opinion on the subject.
  • References - A list of all sources used in the essay.

Here’s a video on how to present counter arguments in your argumentative essay.

Fill in Your Argumentative Essay Outline

Now that you have your structure, it’s time to start writing your essay! Start by filling in the outline with information from your research.

Check out this outline to get started:

Argumentative Essay Outline Template

Argumentative Essay Outline PDF

Types of Arguments and Argumentative Essay Outlines

Writing an argumentative essay can be overwhelming. There are many different types of arguments to consider and different ways to organize your essay. 

To make the process easier, it is helpful to understand the different types of arguments and their purpose in writing. 

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Rogerian Argument

The Rogerian Argument was created by American psychologist Carl Rogers to help two sides of a debate find a middle ground. 

In this type of argument, both sides listen to each other's beliefs without attacking them.

This allows for some agreement while still allowing for disagreement on other points. The goal is to find a compromise that both sides can agree on. 

This type of argument is best used when both parties have strong opinions but are willing to work together to find a solution.

Rogerian Argumentative Essay Outline Template

I. Introductory Paragraph
A. Background Information
B. Thesis Statement

II. Exploring Both Sides of the Argument
A. View In-Favour – Argument and Evidence
B. Opposing View – Argument and Evidence

III. Finding Middle Ground/Compromise
A. Points of Agreement Between Both Sides
B. Summary of Compromise

IV. Conclusion
A. Summary of the Argument and Its Points of Agreement
B. Final Thoughts/Implications
C. Take-Home Message

Toulmin Argument

The Toulmin Argument is a way of looking at existing arguments and finding their flaws in them. This helps writers see what is wrong with an argument so that it can be fixed. 

The goal is not to agree with each other, but to understand how each side's logic works (or doesn't work).

Toulmin Argumentative Essay Outline Template

I. Introduction
A. Background Information
B. Thesis Statement

II. Exploring Both Sides of the Argument
A. Side One – Argument and Evidence
B. Side Two – Argument and Evidence

III. Identifying Weaknesses in Each Position
A. Flaws in Side One's Argument
B. Flaws in Side Two's Argument

IV. Conclusion
A. Summary of the Argument and Its Weaknesses
B. Final Thoughts/Implications
C. Take-Home Message

Classical Argument

An argumentative essay is a type of writing that presents facts and evidence to support one side over another. The writer takes a stance and tries to persuade readers to agree with their conclusion by using reasons and thoughtful analysis.

An argument like this one needs a lot of research. You should look into what both points of view believe and make sure that the evidence you find is accurate and recent. 

The most important part of this type of argument is to convince your reader. You have to support your argument with evidence to prove one side is true against the opposing side.

Classical Argumentative Essay Outline Template

I. Introduction
A. Background Information
B. Thesis Statement
II. Exploring Both Sides of the Argument
A. Side One – Argument and Evidence
B. Side Two – Argument and Evidence
III. Asserting Your Own Position
A. Summary of Points in Favor of Your Argument
B. Refuting Counterarguments
IV. Conclusion
A. Summary of the Argument and Its Points of Agreement
B. Final Thoughts/Implications
C. Take-Home Message

Whatever type of argument you choose to use when writing your essay, you can make sure it is clear and logical by following the outlines.

Understanding these three types of arguments will help you determine which approach makes sense for your topic. 

So that you can begin outlining your own argumentative essay today!

Argumentative Essay Outline Examples

When it comes to writing an argumentative essay, having an outline is essential for success. An outline helps you organize your thoughts and make sure that you are presenting a valid argument in your paper.

Luckily, here are some great outline examples to get you started. 

Expert Tip

Need help getting started? Pick a topic from this helpful list of argumentative essay topics!

As you can see, there is a variety of argumentative essay outlines to choose from. It's important to understand the different types and structures so that you can pick one that works best for your topic.

With these outline examples, you should be able to create a strong piece of writing that will convince your readers!

However, if you're still struggling to write your argumentative essay, our experienced writers are standing by and ready to help you.

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Cathy A.

WRITTEN BY

Cathy A. (Marketing, Literature)

Cathy has been one of our most reliable authors for more than five years. With extensive knowledge in mass communication gained from her Master's degree, she always produces high-quality work that meets the needs of her clients. In fact, they often leave her 5-star reviews for being an outstanding writer who is very passionate about her craft.

Cathy has been one of our most reliable authors for more than five years. With extensive knowledge in mass communication gained from her Master's degree, she always produces high-quality work that meets the needs of her clients. In fact, they often leave her 5-star reviews for being an outstanding writer who is very passionate about her craft.

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