Identify your audience and determine the goal of your argument. Consider if you want to persuade your readers to act, if you want to counter an argument or if you are going to offer a solution. Generate ideas and gather solid evidence. Find accurate, pertinent information about the issue and uncover all viewpoints on it. Develop a line of reasoning by linking your ideas into a clear, logical sequence.
Draw reasonable conclusions from your evidence. Your argument should center on a key point you wish to explain and defend so well that readers agree with it. Your claim should be clearly arguable and defendable. It should take an ethically sound position, be understandable and be challenging. Use qualifiers such as "typically" and "sometimes" to soften your claim, making it more reasonable and acceptable.
The strength of your reasoning and evidence is what causes your claim to stand or fall. Support your points by gathering quality evidence that is correct, filled with pertinent facts, filled with specifics, clearly related to the claim, reliable and able to influence your readers. Test your reasoning and evidence for errors in logic. Ask a peer to listen to your claim and to provide feedback.
Make concessions, if needed, by granting points to the opposition. Develop rebuttals, whenever possible, that expose the weaknesses of an opposing position. Use appropriate ethical and logical appeals that help readers see your argument as convincing. Think of your essay as an intelligent, lively dialogue with readers. Anticipate their questions, concerns, objections and counterarguments. After making concessions and rebutting objections, you may need to regroup and restate your claim before stating your conclusions.