A one-sided argumentative essay seeks to persuade the audience by presenting a thesis and refuting counter-arguments to strengthen the author's position. It differs from a two-sided essay by focusing solely on one viewpoint, requiring a clear stance and a strong thesis statement. The document also discusses the structure of one-sided essays and provides an example centered on wind energy, highlighting both its advantages and significant flaws.

1. Argumentative Essays
(one-side essay
model)

2. A one-sided argument (persuasive) essay is one in which
the writer attempts to persuade the audience to agree
with their thesis. It usually includes counter-
arguments (the opposing views) which the writer refutes
in order to make his/her arguments stronger.
What is a one-sided argument essay?

3. A two-sided argument essay presents a balanced and objective
analysis of both sides of an argument, and a one-sided argument
presents a thesis which the writer sets out to prove in order to
persuade the reader.
How is it different from a two-sided
argument essay?

4. One-Sided Argument Essay
Structures
This table shows two different one-sided argument (persuasive) essay
structures: block and point-by-point.

5. Important points of a one-sided
argument essay
1. One-sided arguments differ from two-sided argument
essays because a clear stance is needed in one-sided
essays.
2. It is important to include a thesis statement in a one-
sided argument essay to show that you have a clear
stance.
3. The function of the counter-argument in a one-sided
essay is to highlight that this is an argument that is
different from yours. It demonstrates your ability to
consider a different view and expose the weaknesses.
This makes your own arguments stronger.

6. Language Structures
This table shows the type of language you can use to connect you arguments together.

7. An Example Essay on wind energy
(Introduction)
General Statement: Debate – the importance of sustainable energy.
Definition: A source of energy that is renewable, infinite and will never
run out.
Specific Statement: Main sources of sustainable energy are solar, wind
and hydro. plentiful earth and lots of innovative technology.
The thesis: This essay will investigate wind energy and argue that wind
energy as a primary source of electricity has significant flaws, but used
with a variety of renewable sources could be an effective substitute.

8. Paragraph (Point-by-point Structure)
One argument that proponents for producing electricity from
wind energy put forward is that as wind is a renewable
energy source, it is freely available. As the U.K is one of the
windiest countries in Europe, the location is perfectly placed
to generate renewable energy, eliminating its dependence on
importing fossil fuels from other countries for its energy
needs. However, despite being true in theory, there is a
question about reliability. Although the UK is an island and
has a considerable amount of wind, this wind is not always
blowing. It is impossible to predict when the wind will blow,
at what times and at what strength. As a consequence, this
creates a serious problem in failing to meet peak demands
usually in the mornings and evenings. All in all, if wind energy
cannot work effectively in a country like the UK, then it seems
impossible that this source of energy could replace power
stations on a global scale.
Paragraph [Block Structure]
Proponents for using wind energy to produce electricity put
forward three main arguments. Their first point is that, due
to the fact that wind is a renewable energy source, it is
freely available. As the U.K is one of the windiest countries
in Europe, the location is perfectly placed to generate
renewable energy, eliminating its dependence on importing
fossil fuels from other countries for its energy needs. Their
second point is that wind energy is a non-polluting source
of energy. Thus when operational, wind turbines produce
no greenhouse gases or large amounts of CO2 unlike the
current power stations which are responsible for 25% of the
U.K.s CO2 emissions. As a consequence, it is suggested that
wind energy could help governments meet their targets in
preventing climate change. Although these arguments hold
some credibility, wind energy has a number of flaws that
need to be addressed before this renewable source of
electricity production could be implemented on a larger
scale.
An Example Essay on Wind Energy

9. Thank you
Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.
– Anthony J. D’Angelo