Sample Argumentative Essays

Looking at a well-structured example is one of the fastest ways to understand what an argumentative essay should look like on the page. Each example below highlights the parts of the argument — the thesis, the claims, the evidence and the rebuttal — so you can see how they fit together.

Example 1: Should schools limit smartphone use during class?

Thesis: Schools should restrict smartphone use during class because it improves focus, reduces distraction and encourages students to engage with the lesson rather than the screen.

Claim 1: Phone use divides attention. Studies on multitasking consistently show that switching between a lesson and a phone lowers retention, even when students believe they are still following along.

Claim 2: Phone-free classrooms reduce social pressure. When phones are put away, students are less likely to feel the need to check notifications or respond immediately to messages.

Counterargument: Some argue that phones can be useful research tools and a safety lifeline in emergencies. That concern is fair, but it does not require phones to be out during instruction; a phone can stay in a bag and still be available when genuinely needed.

Example 2: Is homework still an effective learning tool?

Thesis: Homework should be reduced and redesigned, because most assignments reinforce memorisation rather than understanding and take time away from rest and other learning.

Claim 1: Repetitive worksheets teach compliance, not comprehension. Short, targeted practice beats long sets of similar problems.

Claim 2: Excessive homework worsens stress and sleep loss, which undermines the learning it is meant to support.

Counterargument: Proponents say homework builds discipline and study habits. Discipline can be built in fewer, more meaningful assignments, so the goal does not justify the volume.

What to notice in these examples

  • Each essay opens with a specific, debatable thesis rather than a statement of fact.
  • Every claim is paired with reasoning and evidence, not just opinion.
  • The counterargument is stated fairly and then answered, never ignored.
  • The tone stays measured and academic throughout.

If you are still shaping your position, review our guide on the argumentative essay thesis or see how to write an argumentative essay for the full process.