Essay and Argumentative Writing

What this page covers

This unit is about writing essays and building arguments. Most of what you will find is mind maps, made by many different contributors. There are also flashcard decks, quizzes, notes, slide sets and a couple of flowcharts. The topics fall into two broad groups: persuasive language, and essay planning and structure.

Where to start

If persuasive techniques are new to you, begin with the mind map Language Techniques. It lays out the elements of a persuasive text, such as author, audience, contention and emotive techniques. Next, open Persuasive Appeal, which sets out ethos, pathos and logos. Then try AFOREST, a memory aid that covers alliteration, facts, opinion, rhetorical questions and more. DAFOREST language features adds direct address.

If you are working on structure instead, start with the Essay Writing mind map. It walks through the introduction, argument, counter argument, topic sentences, evidence and links. Then look at the quiz Essay intros and the note on the art of good essay introductions.

Using maps and quizzes together

1. Read one mind map slowly and cover the branches you can already recall.
2. Take a quiz on the same idea, such as Thesis Statements, Conclusions or Persuasive Features in Speeches.
3. Note the questions you missed and go back to the matching branch.
4. Finish with a flashcard deck, such as English Essay Revision, to practice the terms.

The page also includes a practice quiz for an IELTS Writing Task 2 opinion essay, and some resources mention GCSE English and SPM, so students preparing for those exams may find a useful starting point.

Where this unit fits

This unit belongs to the Communication Skills strand of English language. It sits alongside the rest of that strand, and it is the place to go when your task is to argue, persuade or structure a longer piece of writing.

Choose one mind map that matches your next piece of writing, and see how far a short quiz takes you.