Decide on a topic to write about and what position you want to take. Research the topic to find facts supporting your position. Keep a dictionary and thesaurus handy to define terms unfamiliar to you. Take detailed notes and highlight important passages for later reference.
Write an introduction. Introduce your argument with a thought-provoking topic sentence that engages the reader and clearly defines the topic. State your position in an objective, factual manner. Make a statement about the opposing viewpoint.
Begin writing the body of your essay. The body presents the opposition claims and facts used to support this view, followed by evidence that refutes each claim. Break each counterpoint into its own paragraph with evidence, such as expert quotes and statistics, to support each claim. Write a factual statement that refutes each counterclaim.
Write your conclusion. Summarize your position and briefly restate facts supporting your argument. Conclude with a statement that reinforces your position and convinces the reader that your position can lead to a solution to a problem. A good conclusion challenges the reader to think more deeply about the topic or moves the reader to action.