Argumentative Essay Writing

Purpose

An argumentative essay persuades the reader to accept a position using logic and evidence. In KCSE and CBC assessments, you may be asked to argue for or against statements such as: Early marriage should be banned, or Social media harms the youth.

Structure

1. Introduction: hook, background, thesis.
2. Body paragraphs: each develops one point.
3. Counter-argument and rebuttal.
4. Conclusion: restate position, final thought.

The thesis statement

A thesis is one or two sentences stating your position and reasons. Weak: Social media is bad. Strong: Social media harms Kenyan teenagers because it encourages cyberbullying, reduces study time and spreads false information.

Body paragraphs: PEEL

• Point: topic sentence.
• Evidence: fact, statistic, example, expert opinion.
• Explanation: why the evidence supports the point.
• Link: connect to the thesis or next paragraph.

Example: Point: Digital learning improves access to education. Evidence: During COVID-19 closures, lessons were broadcast on radio and TV through the Kenya Education Cloud. Explanation: this reached learners in far areas such as Turkana who could not attend school. Link: therefore, technology should be promoted in all schools.

Counter-argument

Present the strongest opposing view fairly, then respond: Some argue that phones distract learners. However, with rules such as use only in the library, this risk is controlled.

Persuasive techniques

• Rhetorical questions: Can a nation grow when half its girls drop out?
• Rule of three
• Statistics and examples
• Emotional appeal and authority

Avoid personal attacks, exaggeration and unsupported claims.

Linking devices

• Adding: furthermore, in addition, moreover
• Contrast: however, nevertheless, on the other hand
• Cause and result: therefore, consequently, as a result
• Example: for instance, such as
• Concluding: in conclusion, to sum up

Language and tone

Use formal register, present tense for general truths, varied sentence length, and precise vocabulary. Avoid slang and sheng. Check subject-verb agreement, tenses and punctuation.

Planning in exams

Spend 5 minutes: underline the motion, choose a side, list three points with evidence, decide the counter-argument. Then write about 350-450 words.

Worked introduction

Every year, thousands of Kenyan girls leave school early. While some blame culture, the real cause is poverty. This essay argues that the government must expand bursaries and free sanitary towels to keep girls in school.

Try it

• Write a thesis for: Community service should be compulsory for all students.
• Build one PEEL paragraph about plastic bag bans.
• Rewrite a weak conclusion into a strong one with a call to action.