Composition for an argument essay

Including a thesis (in the case of an argument essay),

at least 2 supporting ideas,

real-life examples,

proper discussion of those examples as well as

some kind of summary and finally a reasoned conclusion.

To break it down, an argument essay is most likely going to contain 15 sentences partitioned into 4 paragraphs and follow a pattern something like this:

Introduction paragraph

• A background sentence giving some background information on the essay topic.
• A more detailed sentence linking the background sentence to the thesis.
• A thesis that presents your point of view on your given topic.
• An outline sentence declaring the 2 points you are going to use to support your thesis.

Supporting paragraph 1

• A topic sentence illustrating the first point you will be presenting to support your thesis (this point taken from your outline sentence).
• A sentence showing a real-life example of this topic in action.
• A discussion sentence that shows how your example links or proves your topic sentence.
• A conclusion sentence that links this entire paragraph back to your thesis.

Supporting paragraph 2

• A topic sentence illustrating the second point you will be presenting to support your thesis (this point taken from your outline sentence).
• A sentence showing a real-life example of this topic in action.
• A discussion sentence that shows how your example links or proves your topic sentence.
• A conclusion sentence that links this entire paragraph back to your thesis.

Conclusion paragraph

• A summary sentence that briefly states the 2 points you discussed in your supporting paragraphs.
• A restatement of your thesis using different words.
• A prediction or recommendation based on the topic you have been given.