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Controversies lead to disputes, contentions, and arguments. The key to contending any controversy successfully is to put forth arguments that stump the opposition and compel them to concede. Controversial Essay Writing + Topics And that is the seed of a good controversial essay. You will have to be able to understand all aspects and angles of a given topic and construct clear, logical, convincing arguments that stand firm against all opposition and make people rethink their ideas, beliefs, opinions, and even mindsets.

Crafting strong arguments is one of the most important aspects of argumentative/controversial essay writing. But there is much more to it than that. If we had to list the key characteristics of controversial essay writing, it would go something like this:

•  Controversial pieces take a specific stand on a topic.
•  Their thesis statements reflect the writer’s stance and primary argument.
• Arguments are designed to counter and convince with logic, evidence, emotional appeal, and other tactics.
•  All sides of a controversy are addressed and then refuted. The writer establishes his perspective with logical arguments and evidential support.

For a Controversial Essay Writing + Topics to make a mark on the audience, it needs to make a really convincing case for itself. That’s only possible when the writer possesses thorough knowledge about every aspect and nuance of the topic and the controversy being addressed. This is why proper research and data gathering are so crucial in these assignments.

Information from authoritative sources, minute analysis, logical arguments, and credible pieces of supporting evidence can trump even the strongest of oppositions. However, it is also important to note what it takes to create strong, logical arguments.

The Role of Factual Support vs. Personal Opinion in Argumentation

Everybody’s free to have their own opinion on any kind of controversy. Opinions, however, are purely subjective. They may or may not be founded in facts and, in some cases, might even be utterly illogical. Personal opinions generally don’t count as strong arguments, particularly because of their subjective nature. Controversial Essay Writing + Topics Furthermore, under scrutiny, they will be dismissed outright unless founded on logic and facts.

If you want the audience to accept your stance/claims, your arguments must be based on factual support, NOT personal opinion. Personal opinions do find a place in controversy & persuasive essays, but only when they are vanguards of established claims and powerful arguments.

Structure of a Controversial Essay

There are multiple ways to format/structure these papers. The general structure followed in high school and university assignments is a five to seven-paragraph structure, comprising a single introductory & conclusion paragraph and multiple body paragraphs.

Developing the outline is one of the most basic and crucial aspects of essay writing. For Controversial Essay Writing + Topics, this is even more important. How you organize and present your claims, justifications, and evidence is as important as their nature. Again, the outline depends on the type of topic, the information gathered & arguments developed, opposing viewpoints, and, obviously, the nature of your audience.

There are three go-to formats:

Classical or Aristotelian

Best used for straightforward arguments, the classical approach is the traditional way of crafting controversial essays. You present a claim on a topic, mention the opposing claim, and then present arguments to show why & how your claim/ideas trump the opposition. If you are confident about refuting all opposition, then this is the format to follow.

Rogerian

This structure is reserved for much more complicated circumstances and controversies. When there’s no way to dismiss opposing stances outright, and the audience is somewhat sympathetic to some opposing views, the Rogerian format works best. Controversial Essay Writing + Topics It offers a middle ground and respects all sides. Use this stance if your audience is biased toward the opposition, there’s a need to unify both sides, or make some kind of compromise.

Toulmin

The Toulmin format is ideal for dissecting and elucidating overly complicated, multi-faceted arguments. If you know that your arguments are heavily nuanced and derive from other complex subjects & sources, then the Toulmin format can help you break down arguments. Use this structure to help readers understand intricate arguments better as well as to break down opposing stances systematically.

All of the above three essay outlines have clear differences when it comes to organizing and presenting arguments & information. However, all three of them are derivatives of the generic essay structure.

The Classical Controversial Essay Structure

INTRODUCTION

Like all other essays, introductory paragraphs of controversial essays should start with a hook. You are already dabbling in controversy, so crafting a unique, eye-catching hook for these essays should not be very problematic.

An out-of-the-ordinary statement, some startling statistics, a claim that goes against the consensus, etc. – these are some excellent ways to grab the reader’s attention. Continue your discourse by providing background information and establishing the context of your essay/narrative.

The thesis statement of controversial essays MUST be clear, well-defined, debatable, and firm. Readers must first understand your perspective on the controversy clearly for them to follow all justifications & arguments clearly later on.

THE BODY

Body paragraphs in controversial essays are somewhat different. And there are a few different ways to construct them.

You can design paragraphs for mentioning & refuting oppositions simultaneously. Or you can describe your argument/s in the first few body paragraphs and then mention & refute all opposition in subsequent paragraphs.

Another way is to collate all major counter-arguments and opposing stances in a single paragraph. Then, wrap up the paragraph by pointing to arguments and evidence that neutralize opposing stances.

Start all body paragraphs with topic sentences that tell readers what they are about. Make your claim in the topic sentences, provide supporting evidence, and then elaborate. Ensure everything is steeped in logical reasoning and aligns perfectly with the presented evidence.

Claim-evidence-explanation – that’s how you should present your arguments. Also, make sure everything is in line with the thesis statement.

The counterclaim/opposing stance paragraphs should mention the opposing claims/arguments in the topic sentences. Rebuttals and associated evidence should then follow.

Common mistakes to avoid include:

•  Presenting opinions instead of facts to back claims
•  Vague explanations
•  Irrelevant evidence
• Poor organization & cohesion
•  No rebuttal of counterclaims

THE CONCLUSION

Restate your claim/stance/thesis statement differently and do so in light of the essay prompt/question.

Synthesize all the major aspects of your essay, including your primary arguments and key pieces of evidence.

Never add any information or anything else in the conclusion.

Make some suggestions or call the audience to action as applicable.

Wrap things up by adding something thought-provoking or something that questions their belief.

The Rogerian Essay Outline

INTRODUCTION

Start with hooks and provide background information to get readers up to speed. Do highlight the controversy that you are going to discuss.

Address and explain your position briefly. Then, talk about the opposition in brief and also point out any kind of overlap. Keep in mind that the Rogerian template is best suited when you can’t dismiss the opposition outright.

Present the thesis statement. Make sure it is clear, well-defined, and takes into account the valid aspects of the opposition.

THE BODY

Summarize the major points of the opposing stance in the initial body paragraphs. Dissect everything carefully with logic and reasoning.

Consider all nuances and key elements of the stance. Controversial Essay Writing + Topics Present evidential support and accept or refute as per your analysis. Use the first few body paragraphs to address any additional opposing perspectives.

After you have finished addressing all the major opposing points of view, it is time to present the chief reasons for your affirmation of them. Do explain the context and reasoning behind the opposing perspective in light of the essay prompt.

Point out what aspects of the opposing stances you are supporting and explain the reasons behind your sympathy. Hark back to the evidential support you provided in the first few body paragraphs as you reaffirm your support.

Now, it is time you presented your claims and ideas. Summarize all the chief reasons why you consider your stance to be more valid than the opposition.

Use a single paragraph to discuss & explain each & every supporting reason behind your stance. Add necessary pieces of evidence to back things up. Make sure not to go overboard with explanations and mention the aspects of the opposition that you are able to refute.

The final body paragraph needs to bring things together. Consider the points/facets of the opposition that stand firm even in the face of your scrutiny and overlap with ideas & perspective Controversial Essay Writing + Topics.

Propose a compromise/middle ground that brings together the common elements of both your and the opposing position.

THE CONCLUSION

Mention in brief the reasons and logic behind your support for the opposing perspective.

Talk about your arguments next and mention how they overlap with the opposition.

Point out the areas where the opposition falters and how they can benefit from your arguments. Also,