Argumentative Essay Examples For College To Help Improve Your Writing

Have you been assigned an argumentative essay again? We know that trying to come up with ideas for what to write can feel discouraging, and you may not know where to start.

Don’t worry – we understand your situation very well.

The good news is that by using argumentative essay examples, you can get ideas about where to start and learn how to write.

So keep reading for some helpful tips!

Argumentative Essay Samples For College

College-level students are more often asked to write argumentative essays than high school students. That is because in college, the studies get deeper, and arguments become more common.

Furthermore, students are also asked to write argumentative essays as part of various standardized tests. So it is important for college students to learn how to do it right.

So check out the following examples of college-level argumentative essays.

Learning to write a good argumentative essay using examples is an effective way to improve your writing. A great example can give you inspiration and show you what is possible.

Moreover, it can also help you learn about the structure and format of an argumentative essay so that you can get your own writing on track!

So when you’re looking for argumentative essay examples for college, it’s helpful to start with good ones. 

In this blog, we have compiled several sample essays for you to check out. From these examples, you can learn how to write a great argumentative essay by yourself.

Sample Argumentative Essay Topics For College Students

Here is a list of several sample topics on which you can write a good argumentative essay. This list will also inspire you to develop more topics like this on your own.

• Is homeschooling a good or bad idea?
• Should all American citizens have the right to own a gun?
• Are beauty pageants harmful to women?
• Should the drinking age be lowered from 21 to 18?
• Should the use of cell phones be banned while driving?
• Is social media a positive or negative force in our lives?
• Should college athletes be paid for their services?
• Is the cost of college too high?
• Should affirmative action be abolished?
• Are humans responsible for climate change?
• Is the death penalty an effective form of punishment?
• Is our election process fair?
• Are standardized tests an accurate measure of student achievement?
• Is homeschooling a good or bad idea for students with special needs?
• Should the voting age be lowered from 18 to 16?

Tips For Writing An Impressive Argumentative Essay

Writing an impressive argumentative essay is not as difficult as it may seem. However, you need to be familiar with the structures and requirements of an argumentative essay.

Argumentative essays discuss an issue or topic and support one side against the other using evidence. An argumentative essay is a kind of persuasive essay. Argumentative essays try to convince the reader to accept a certain point of view.

As argumentative essays provide reasons and evidence to support a certain position, you need to have strong research skills. The ability to find strong evidence for your argument can be very useful for writing argumentative essays.

Here are some tips that will help you write an impressive argumentative essay

Know The Structures Of Argumentative Essays

For an argumentative essay to be effective, it must be well-structured and must have a logical flow. You need to make an outline before writing the essay based on commonly used argumentative structures.

There are three most common structures that are used for argumentative essays depending on the topic and nature of arguments. These three are the Classical (Aristotelian), Rogerian, and Toulmin argumentative structures.

Classical (Aristotelian) Argumentative Structure

The Classical structure is the most common argumentative essay structure. It is also the most simple one, usually comprising 5-6 paragraphs.

It starts with an introduction, followed by the body paragraphs, and ends with a conclusion.

The introduction presents the context and the thesis statement. While each of the body paragraphs presents a different point that supports the main argument. You also counter opposing arguments to strengthen your own position in the body paragraphs.

The conclusion summarizes your arguments and states why your position is right.

Rogerian Argumentative Structure

The Rogerian structure is less common but can be effective when you are trying to bridge different positions on an issue. A Rogerian essay is an argumentative essay that seeks to find common ground between two opposing sides. 

A Rogerian essay starts with a neutral opening, followed by the body paragraphs, and ends with a conclusion.

The opening paragraph should present the background information and end with a thesis statement.

The body paragraphs are structured differently than the classical structure. The first paragraph should present the opponents’ views and acknowledge them. You present your position in the next paragraphs and provide evidence for why you support this position.

The conclusion presents a compromised position or common ground between the two different positions.

Toulmin Argumentative Structures

The Toulmin structure is less common but can be effective when you are trying to establish your position conclusively.

In this structure, you present your claim in the thesis statement. In the body paragraphs, you present evidence, warrant, backing, and qualifiers. In your final paragraphs, you address any opposing viewpoints and present your conclusion.

Though it is complicated, this structure can be very successful if used correctly. It takes some time to prepare and research for writing a Toulmin argument. However, your argument will become a lot stronger with this structure.

Start With a Strong Introduction

Start your argumentative essay with a hook statement. A hook statement is a sentence that grabs the reader’s attention and makes them want to read on.

It can be a question, statistic, or anecdote. It is important to start your essay with a hook statement to engage the reader and make them want to continue reading.

After that, provide the necessary background information about the issue. Lay out the context of your argument for the readers.

Finally, end the introduction with the thesis statement. The thesis statement is the most important part of the introduction. It indicates the author’s main point to the reader.

You need to choose a well-defined side of an issue to come up with a clear and strong thesis statement.

Do Proper Research

To ensure your arguments are supported by fact-based evidence, you must do some research. You can find your evidence in research papers, articles, studies, and expert opinions to support your argument.

It will help you structure your arguments better in a logical flow.

Anticipate Your Opponents’ Objections

When you are aware of the different arguments that stand against your position, you can anticipate them in your essay and address them head-on.

By doing this, you will make your argument stronger and more persuasive. You must know the strengths and weaknesses of your and your opponent’s arguments. Only then will you be able to make effective counter-arguments.

Don’t Hesitate To Start Writing

We understand that the final step is the most difficult one. That is, to start writing your essay. However, it will be much easier once you’ve read the examples, done your research, and made your outline.

So start writing your argumentative essay with confidence.