An argument paper is one in which the author takes a specific stance on a topic and attempts to sway the reader. Argument papers are not always assigned as such and may include certain types of ...

Do you have an introduction that draws your reader into your argument? Do you have a conclusion which leaves the reader feeling the strength and logic of your position? Revise, revise, and proofread.

Luckily, the author’s argument is usually spelled out in the prompt itself. For instance, consider this past SAT prompt: “Write an essay in which you explain how Paul Bogard builds an argument ...

Without a thesis statement, your essay will lack a cohesive argument and will read more like a list of ... working thesis to reflect things you have figured out in the course of writing your paper.

A conclusion is the final paragraph of your essay. It should tie all the loose ends of your argument together. For more information about conclusions, see our guide on how to write a conclusion to ...

If the audience doesn't share the writers'/speakers' assumptions within the text, the argument will not be effective. The elements of the rhetorical situation interact with and influence one another.

A student opts to use generative AI to write their essay for them. The student sneakily turns in the paper, hoping the teacher will not be the wiser. Sometimes the student manages to get away with ...