The statement, "It's mean to abuse kittens, so we should enact laws to protect defenseless animals" is a statement of opinion, not an argument. This is because most reasonable people would be in agreement with the writer on this issue. The article "Establishing Arguments: Developing Strong Thesis Statements" by the Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University reminds writers that an argumentative thesis must be debatable. This means there should be two or more opposing viewpoints on the topic.
Argumentative writing requires analyzing the topic in order to determine the best way to reach the audience. In her book "A Writer's Reference," author Diana Hacker advises writers to consider their readers as skeptics or jurors who need to be convinced by evidence. Strategies like establishing credibility, choosing words that convey a non-judgmental tone and finding common ground help reduce readers' resistance, important steps in getting them to change their minds or take action.
Writers should expect to conduct research they can draw on to build support for their stance. Typically, topics are developed with material from experts, statistical information, scientific data, examples and anecdotes that represent multiple views on an issue. Using logical, ethical, and emotional appeals are ways to connect the topic to readers own needs and values, persuasive techniques that help readers see the topic in a new light.
Because effective arguments cannot be one-sided, writers are obligated to examine a variety of views, including those that disagree with the writer's own outlook. This helps readers see the writer as knowledgeable and fair. Writers should anticipate objections and address the concerns of naysayers, which is also called offering a rebuttal. Concessions are made when writers agree with one or more points of an opposing argument, but still believe their own stance is stronger.