This document provides guidance on writing an effective argumentative essay. It explains that the goal of an argumentative essay is to persuade the reader by presenting a claim and supporting it with logical reasons and evidence. The document outlines the key components of an argumentative essay, including introducing the topic, providing background information, stating a clear thesis, using body paragraphs with a topic sentence, concession to an opposing view, assertion of the writer's claim, and refutation of the opposing view, and concluding by summarizing the main points and refutations. It also provides examples of effective and ineffective thesis statements and examples of introducing, body, and conclusion paragraphs. Finally, it suggests practice topics for writing argumentative essays.