ESSAY STRUCTURE
As with the Issue essay, there is no single “correct” way to organize an Argument essay.
Video Courtesy of Kaplan GRE prep.
Introductory Paragraph (2-4 sentences)
Try to accomplish three goals in your introductory paragraph:
- Briefly restate the argument in your own words.
- Briefly trace the argument’s line of reasoning.
- Indicate the extent to which the argument is logically convincing.
- If possible, sum up your arguments in one sentence (or two brief sentences).
The following is a sample template for the first paragraph that accomplishes these goals:
The author concludes that____________, because ________. The author’s line of reasoning is that ______________. This argument is unconvincing for several reasons; it is____________ and it uses _____________.
First Body Paragraph (3-5 sentences)
In the first body paragraph, your goal is to critique one of the following:
- The reasoning of the argument
- One of the premises of the argument
- One of the assumptions of the argument
The following is a sample template for this paragraph that accomplishes this goal:
First of all, ____________________________ is based upon the questionable assumption ________________________________. That _______________, however, _________________. Moreover, ________________________.
The purpose of the second paragraph is to address one of the following:
- The reasoning of the argument
- One of the premises of the argument
- One of the assumptions of the argument
The following is a sample template for this paragraph that accomplishes this goal:
Secondly, the author assumes that_________________________.
However, __________________________. It seems equally reasonable to assume that____________________.
Third (and optional Fourth) Body Paragraph
In this paragraph, your goal is to critique one of the following:
- The reasoning of the argument
- One of the premises of the argument
- One of the assumptions of the argument
The following is a sample template for this paragraph that accomplishes this goal:
Finally, _______________________________________. The author fails to consider__________________________________. For example, __________________. Because the author’s argument _________________.
Final Paragraph (2-3 sentences)
In the final paragraph, your goals are to:
- Summarize your critique of the argument
- State the main point of your essay
The final paragraph is not the place to introduce new arguments or issues. Sample template:
In sum, I agree that______________________. However, ____________________; on balance, _____________________.
The numbers of sentences indicated for each paragraph are guidelines, not hard-and-fast rules.
Do not be a Parrot
The transitional phrases used here are purposely simplistic; do not simply “parrot” them word-for-word in your essay or adopt a fill-in the blank approach. If you do, your essay might appear stilted or contrived.