Identify the issue you are arguing about. Make the main point of your argument clear in the first sentence. Know the audience or reader. Remember that the person you are addressing, in an academic situation, will probably know more about the subject than you do, so what they will want from you is a solid argument, rather than a series of facts.
Support your argument with evidence. Your evidence might be statistics, essays, research findings, reports or other reliable sources of information. Ideally, do not rely on just one type of evidence, but combine them. Present these in a logical sequence, rather than jumping from one to the next.
Imagine that the reader is challenging you. This is an important part of an argument. You cannot claim to have a good argument if it can be easily defeated. Think of every counterargument you can and then address the points raised in them. Include any doubts that others have expressed about your argument and explain how you can prove them wrong.
Use indicator words and phrases, such as, "therefore," "because" and "as a result of." Avoid words of doubt, such as, "maybe" or "arguably." Make your argument simple, clear and focused. Write a clear conclusion and challenge that conclusion. Deal with the challenge. End as you began, with a sentence that summarizes your argument.