GAMSAT

Argumentative Essay Writing Structure

14 Apr 2022 • 4 min read

Planning

Vision: Overall vision for the essay which incorporates the theme with a specific topic if possible

Body: Paragraph point to support vision

Conclusion: How I will wrap up the essay

Philosophical Ideology: To create a solution or highlight the issue in philosophical terms

Political Ideology: Political ideologies that correlate with the theme and can help further discuss the issue

Quotes: To show understanding and support my arguments

Structure

Introduction: Overarching position - View point - my main opinion - 5 minutes (50 words)

Present current day view of the theme and then refute to present the realities

Incorporate political ideology(s) into introduction and essay - even if just wording - political ideologies & philosophical ideologies examples

THEME OVERALL: Display deep understanding of the theme. Utilise a topic to discuss the theme and quotes in 1-2 sentences in relation to the quote that I will be providing a point of view to. Be general in overview of theme then be specific for a topic which I have a deep understanding about.
THESIS: A statement that express my point of view about the theme (ex. physical punishment) while using the idea of one (or more quotes) (ex. the parental slap has saved countless children from seriously jeopardising their safety or their social acceptability)
Statement that incorporates the overall theme and gives my point of view in relation to a quote - this will provide the overall direction of my essay & give direction to supporting ideas (paragraphs)
CONVEY STATEMENT(S): provides a direction and plan of the essay paragraphs through a sentence in the opening paragraph
Overall strong statement for both body paragraphs, or:
STATEMENT 1: Strong statement for paragraph 1 - idea that provide support to thesis
STATEMENT 2: Strong statement for paragraph 2 - idea that provides support to thesis
SUMMARISE: Provide summary statement that hints at some solution, speculation and general remark

Paragraph 1 - Idea - provide support to main point of view - 10 minutes (100 words)

Argument 1 - Ensure to have other ways of seeing or saying the strong statements in the introduction to help support writing paragraph argument.
Clarification of argument - if necessary or provide context
Evidence- specific examples, facts, quotations, statistics and illustrations. Incorporate philosophical ideas or evidence in history or current. It should provide concrete information to support your claim. You need to show the meaning of the evidence and how it supports your position.
Current situations or historical illustrations - Reference to current events (provide relevance to essay) or history is needed as evidence to back viewpoint of paragraph in the essay

Counter argument Idea - provide support to main point of view - 10 minutes (100 words)

Argument Counter 1 - if evident and can be drawn upon
Clarification of argument - if necessary or provide context
Example
Refute
Link back to theme and underlying message & forward (if possible) - to make sure the paragraph flow with the next paragraph.

Transitioning Paragraphs

End paragraph with a question and answer it in the first sentence of the next paragraph
Ex. More to the point, if you are not from anywhere you cannot have an id……. ……. at one time the only people who had id cards were those who
Open the next paragraph with a short question
Ex. Do we have leaders worth a crumble when there are millions unemployed?
Refer to something in the previous paragraph
Ex. To put this into perspective
Summarise the previous paragraph in the opening new paragraph
Ex. If the premier is prepared to explore the possibility that
Flag words as logical transitions - ex. however, therefore, nevertheless, another, etc

Paragraph 2 - Idea - provide support to main point of view - 10 minutes (100 words)

Argument 2 - Link back to previous paragraph using words such as thus, therefore, etc if necessary and present my next idea or point.
Clarification of argument - specific examples, facts, quotations, statistics and illustrations. Incorporate philosophical ideas or evidence in history or current. It should provide concrete information to support your claim. You need to show the meaning of the evidence and how it supports your position.
Evidence - specific examples, facts, quotations, statistics and illustrations. Incorporate philosophical ideas or evidence in history or current. It should provide concrete information to support your claim. You need to show the meaning of the evidence and how it supports your position
Current situations or historical illustrations - Reference to current events (provide relevance to essay) or history is needed as evidence to back viewpoint of paragraph in the essay

Counter argument Idea - provide support to main point of view - 10 minutes (100 words)

Argument Counter 2 - if evident and can be drawn upon
Clarification of argument - If necessary provide context
Example
Refute
Link back to theme and underlying message & forward (if possible) - to make sure the paragraph flow with the next paragraph.

Transitioning Paragraphs: See above for transitioning paragraphs advice

Conclusion - 5 minutes (50 words)+ Review (theme integration, fluidity & punctuality)

Reaffirm point of view (answer & summarise key arguments)
Acknowledge limitations (refutes)
Importance of the thesis (point of view) to society
Closing technique: draws the reader in and leaves them thinking at the end - Then end the essay with some solution, speculation and general remarks
Circular closing: repeat significant words from the beginning of the essay (intro)
Close with a recommendation: suggestion on resolution for the issue
Close with a call for reassessment: assess the situation and recommend the need for further assessment
Close with an assessment of the current situation: assess the situation/ issue and provide a statement of what is occurring