How to Write a Good Argumentative Essay: Logical Structure

This is a sample video from a full video tutorial course that teaches you how to improve your academic essay writing. The course is hosted on Udemy. To learn more, preview a selection of videos, and get a HUGE DISCOUNT on the signup price, click the link below:

Many students enter college without the skills necessary to succeed simply because they were never properly taught how to write essays.

This course aims to overcome this problem by offering a systemic framework for essay writing that removes the mystery and presents a clear path for moving from idea to outline to completed first draft.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 1: WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION
A Brief Introduction to the Course

SECTION 2: WHY ARE WRITING SKILLS SO IMPORTANT?
Good Writers Rule the World

SECTION 3: WHAT IS THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY TO IMPROVE MY ESSAY WRITING?
The Craft of Writing from 20,000 Feet
The Most Efficient Way to Dramatically Improve Your Essay Writing
Introduction, Main Body, Conclusion: Why Are Essays Written This Way?
How Essay Style is Related to Essay Structure

SECTION 4: HOW SHOULD I APPROACH THE WRITING PROCESS?
Writing for Discovery versus Writing for Presentation
Why Rewriting is Important (And Why Students Don’t Think So)
How to Deal with Writer’s Anxiety and Writer’s Block

SECTION 5: WHAT IS MY IDEAL WRITING WORKFLOW?
The Right Way to Think About Outlining
My Ideal Writing Workflow
Tools for Mind-Mapping, Outlining and Drafting
The Writing Tools I Use: A Quick Introduction to Scrivener

SECTION 6: WHAT DOES A STRUCTURED APPROACH TO ESSAY WRITING LOOK LIKE?
Two Kinds of Structure to Keep in Mind
A Structured Approach to Essay Writing Using Scrivener
A Short Essay Demo Using a Structured Essay Writing Template

SECTION 7: FOLLOW ALONG AS I WRITE A REAL COLLEGE ESSAY FROM START TO FINISH
Part1: The Assignment
Part 2: Initial Research
Part 3: Outlining
Part 4: Drafts
Part 5: References and Citations

SECTION 8: HOW CAN I IMPROVE MY WRITING STYLE?
The Number One Misconception About Writing Style
Oratorical Style, Prophetic Style and Romantic Style
Practical Style, Reflexive Style and Academic Style
Classic Style: Prose as a Window Into the World
Classic Style as an Antidote to Bad Writing

SECTION 9: HOW TO WRITE A GOOD ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY
The Minimal Five-Part Structure of a Good Argumentative Essay
Writing the Introduction
Writing the Conclusion
The Essay: “Should Teachers Be Allowed to Ban Laptops in Classrooms?
Analysis: The Introduction
Analysis: First Argument
Analysis: Second Argument
Analysis: Third Argument
Analysis of the Main Body: Evaluation and Recommendations
Analysis: Conclusion
The Essay: An Improved Version

SECTION 10: WHAT IS PLAGIARISM AND HOW CAN I AVOID IT?
What is Plagiarism?
Downloading and Buying Whole Papers
Cutting and Pasting from Several Sources
Changing Some Words But Copying Whole Phrases
Paraphrasing Without Attribution
The Debate Over Patchwriting

SECTION 11: HOW SHOULD I CITE SOURCES IN MY ESSAY?
When Should I Cite a Source?
What Needs to be Cited?
How to Cite: Mark the Boundaries
Citing Exact Words
Citing a Longer Quotation
Citing a Source But Not Quoting
Do I Have to Cite Information That is “Common Knowledge”?
Citation Styles: MLA, APA, Chicago, Turabian, oh my!

SECTION 12: WRAPPING UP
Thank You

[ada]

For anybody here in 2020 feeling like there's no point in writing an essay, here's what I say as a rebuttal: Writing is amazing. It's hard, it's time-consuming, and it's draining, but it's so worth it when you can look back at what you wrote and say "I did that."

[TheVideoVolcano]

I mean what is the point in being alive.

[sockNL]

I'm an extremely lazy college student and this vid has promptly motivated me to exit out of my downward spiral of procrastination which has consumed me for weeks until this this present moment, this turning point. It is currently 3am. This paper must be done by 1pm. I have 11 hours, I have just finished my third 2 serving can of Monster energy, and I have not started the paper. As soon as I hit post BOOM I'm gonna ride the lightning across this 9 page essay, make it my bitch. Thanks for posting!

[DannyKechik_the_dizzydaisy]

What he's trying to say is to continue using Objections (the argument question) and the replies (reply to prove that argument wrong) throughout the entire essay.
here's and example of one super short paragraph...
-Violent video games produce hatred (Objection)
-Well according to some statistics, video games enhance ones ability to socialize with friends. ( reply to the objection)
hope that helps :)

[malikaangel]

Take a shot every time he says "argument"

[pickledparya]

teachers: teaches us argumentative essay
also teachers when you argue with them: how dare you talk back to me

[sylfeak]

its 2021 and this video has never been more helpful for academic students

[raulramirez]

Im going to ask my wife for tips she always wins all our arguments, shes an expert on arguments and debate, she and her mom are always practicing their debating skills, sadly i will never get to that level.

[Psshyeahbby]

wow this guy is a better teacher than my english professor honestly

[oblivionkoz]

I really hope that one day I take a class with a teacher like you. Very nice work!

[jonsimmons]

Back in the day we used to call it research and collect evidence to prove what you are trying to prove. So I can take that approach and weave in an objection and disprove that objection. Looking forward to seeing this essay.

[gjsterp]

Actually, I am always writing essays for my own benefit, and of course I get into debate here on YT.
It makes me think in new ways, which helps me come up with new ideas, and in many cases see an argument from a new perspective..

[neLAsesh]

I stil have no idea what topic I am going to write about.

[ksubsforcommenting]

I can't believe this guy still uploads

[lucybenson]

Kevin de Laplante, Your video and visual plan of how to write an argumentative essay is amazing. I like your explanations and your way of teaching writing that particular type of an essay.

Lucy Benson

[denis]

I don't remember learning this in grammer school but it has been 14 years ago, and colledge mentioned I need this 😄🧐🧘‍♂️

[mikepurp]

Boring...but once I complete this assignment I will no longer feel bored. I will feel victorious.

[santisimos]

Hey thanks a lot for putting this together, I found it by typing "how to build academical essay style arguments and citations you tube video" I tink that your channel and your course will become my favourite topic and will send me like a rocket writing my findings :)

[ADQAutomotive]

I just thought you'd like to know that my teacher assigned this video for a college level "Argument Based Research" class. Good job, and thanks!

[themrfoxman]

thanks. i used this for my final project.i'm a math guy who sucks at writing but am actually confident about this one!