How to Write an Essay
The Writing Lab ? D204d http://bellevuecollege.edu/asc/writing 425-564-2200 1 How to Write an Argumentative Essay An argumentative essay uses reasoning and evidence?not emotion?to take a definitive stand on a controversial or debatable issue. The essay explores two sides of a topic and proves why one side or position is the best. The First Steps Choose a specific issue to discuss. Some debatable issues cover a wide range of topics. For example, ?legalizing drugs? is too broad a subject because topics within that issue include legalizing marijuana, the effectiveness of the FDA, or whether a painkiller made in Europe should be allowed into the US. Any of these could be the sole focus of an argumentative paper.