<p>I need to write an argumentative essay comparing two stories. i don’t know how the format is suppose to be. essentially what’s the structure of an argumentative essay? like what do i say in my introduction and what are the body paragraphs about? PLEASE HELP ME!!!</p>
<p>Justin</p>
<p>I’m guessing you can just use the typical 5-paragraph essay. Concentrate on whether the stories have more similarities or contrasts and mention this in your thesis. Don’t forget to mention both similarities and contrasts and come up with counterarguments.
For the intro, start with your thesis (go straight to be the point). Then, outline what is in the essay (main points, i.e. similar styles, themes, literary images, etc.). The intro doesn’t need to be that long.
Your body paragraphs should tie into and support the points mentioned in the thesis.</p>
<p>I haven’t taken Eng 125, but both my high school english teachers taught similar intro courses at Duke, Harvard, and Dartmouth, so I’m guessing, um, argumentative writing is the same everywhere. And then you can…never talk to me again on cc if I’m wrong, I guess?</p>
<p>It doesn’t have to be five paragraphs but can be if nothing else works. It can be as long or as short as you want (in number of paragraphs) as long as you get the job done. Make sure you have a strong (and interesting!) argumentative thesis (not a statement!) as well as intro paragraph. You don’t need to have you intro paragraph begin with the thesis but could try to start of the paragraph with something more interesting that leads to the thesis if you feel adventurous. It’s up to you. You will need transitions. Try to have you first sentence of each of the supporting paragraphs be an argument, which supports the main thesis and not another statement. You should be able to prove the argument in the following paragraph. The conclusion should somehow restate the thesis in different words and sum up the entire essay. It should also stay interesting for the reader. Since you’re comparing two stores (i.e. larger pieces of work), I’d try to narrow your essay down to two or three small aspects present in both of the stories and write your essay based on those. It will make the job MUCH easier as you won’t have to focus on everything in the writing and will only have to look for smaller (more specific) details.</p>
<p>Last year (during first semester), my English 125 instructor worked for the Sweetland Writing Center and had a Ph.D so my class went through a mini boot camp in this area. ;)</p>
<p>Ok so you recommend stating my thesis and then argue three points that support that thesis? How do I tie comparisons and contrasts in there?</p>
<p>Pick two or three points or ideas that would relate to both stories. You will then be able to compare and contrast the specific points. The comparisons/contrasts can be made based off of how the point is made in one story as compared to the other, the message behind the point in each of the stories, etc. Taylor these arguments so that they support the main thesis of the essay.</p>