Argumentative essays are some of the more challenging types of essays to write. You must be careful to select a topic that you can be completely objective about. You do not want to pick a topic that you feel so strongly about that your emotions overwhelm your reason-- because if emotions gain control over the paper, you will lose control over the paper. Try to avoid, for example, topics about abortion, if you feel strongly about this topic. Other topics that are good to avoid are religious or political topics that express strong opinions.
There are basically two types of argumentative essays your teacher might assign or that they might let you choose. Each type affects the organization and structure of your essay.
This essay follows the structure of a basic argumentative essay, and is somewhat softer in tone. It persuades rather than vehemently argues, one's position on a topic.
This type of essays presents an argument about a topic that demands/persuades the reader to act in some specific way at the end of the essay-- for example, sign up with a Save the Whales organization -- or simply asks the reader to take some form of action.
**But all essays need to argue the other side's main point of objection to your argument and refute it before you close.