6.1 Building Your Own Argument

Take a position

The argument essay gives a claim or prompt and asks you to defend your own position. Choose a clear, defensible thesis and commit to it — fence-sitting produces weak essays.

Reasons and evidence

Support your thesis with reasons backed by evidence — from history, literature, current events, or personal observation. Specific, relevant examples beat vague generalities.

Reasoning through commentary

Don't let evidence stand alone. Use commentary to explain how each example supports your claim, and arrange reasons into a clear line of reasoning.

Key terms

Argument essay

An essay defending your own position on a claim.

Defensible thesis

A clear, committed position that can be supported.

Evidence

Specific examples from history, literature, or observation.

Commentary

Explanation of how evidence supports the claim.

Fence-sitting

Refusing to commit — a common source of weak essays.

Try an AP-style question

In the argument essay, the best evidence usually comes from…

1. vague generalizations
2. unsupported opinions
3. the prompt restated
4. specific, relevant examples