That depends on the style of the writer does it no?
Some people prefer to intro/illustrate the issue at hand to the
reader, followed by a look of the pros and cons. Analysis the
situation and then make a stand. Followed by a explanation of why
and a conclusion.This is called soft sell and create an impression
that you looked carefully at the issue before finally making up
your mind. You can often see such styles in the opinion sections of
newspapers and respectable magazine. A argumentative essay has the
objective of persuading the reader that the writer has a fair and
valid point of views tempered by reasoning.
Whether or not your essay have a clear path to the reader does
not depend on the format of the argument, it depends on whether you
are able to persuade the reader that your argument is valid and
reasoned.
Most of the points I want to say have been said by deteq.
Newspapers and magazines are not argumentative essays; they
merely give opinions, not persuade. Writing an argumentative essay
is akin to a debater being in a debate or a lawyer fighting a court
case; your stand is made clear right at the very beginning.
Argumentative essays are a bit like GP essays in G.P.; a strong
thesis statement is extremely important at the very first
paragraph, summarizing all the points as short as possible, and
giving a clear stand from the points you summarized. You then go on
to explain each single point, giving examples to support your
points and stand along the way, and finally, tee off with a
conclusion on your stand again.
