Master What is the Last Step to Creating an Argumentative Essay: Final Tips for Success

The art of crafting an argumentative essay hinges on a final crucial element: your closing statement. Believe it or not, a strong conclusion can influence your reader's opinion more than the arguments you've laid out. This last paragraph offers the chance to solidify your message and prompt action, making it the heartbeat of your essay.

Crafting a Strong Closing Statement

The last step to creating an argumentative essay is crafting a powerful closing statement that leaves a lasting impression on your reader. This final element serves as the culmination of your argument and determines whether your audience will remember your key points.

Elements of an Effective Closing Statement

Restate your thesis differently - Avoid simply copying your thesis statement. Instead, rephrase it to reinforce your position while demonstrating how your evidence has validated it. For example, if your thesis argued that renewable energy should replace fossil fuels, your closing might state: "The economic, environmental, and technological evidence clearly demonstrates that renewable energy represents not just a viable alternative to fossil fuels, but a necessary evolution."

Summarize main arguments concisely - Briefly touch on your strongest supporting points without introducing new information. According to My Private Essay, an effective conclusion should remind readers of the key evidence that supports your thesis.

Provide meaningful final thoughts - End with one of these approaches:

1. Call to action: Direct your readers toward specific steps they can take
2. Future implications: Discuss the broader significance of your argument
3. Emotional appeal: Connect your logical arguments to human values
4. Universal context: Place your specific topic within larger societal issues

What to Avoid in Your Closing

• Using phrases like "In conclusion" or "To summarize"
• Introducing entirely new arguments or evidence
• Undermining your position with apologetic language
• Writing an overly lengthy conclusion (aim for 10-15% of total essay length)

The final paragraph should feel like the natural endpoint of your argumentative journey—providing closure while empowering readers with a new perspective on your topic.

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Key Takeaways

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Revising for Logical Consistency

After drafting your argumentative essay, a critical last step is checking for logical consistency throughout your work. This process ensures your argument maintains coherence and credibility from introduction to conclusion.

Evaluating Argument Structure

Premise-conclusion relationships - Review each argument to confirm that your conclusions logically follow from your premises. Identify any logical fallacies such as hasty generalizations, false dilemmas, or appeals to emotion that weaken your position.

Evidence chain analysis - Trace how each piece of evidence connects to your claims. According to Well-Storied, maintaining logical coherence requires ensuring all elements build upon each other in a way that feels inevitable rather than forced or contradictory.

Consistency Checklist

1. Thesis alignment - Verify that every paragraph and point directly supports your thesis statement rather than wandering into tangential topics
2. Argumentative framework - Confirm you've maintained your chosen approach (e.g., Toulmin, Rogerian, Classical) consistently throughout
3. Counter-argument treatment - Check that you've addressed opposing viewpoints fairly and thoroughly
4. Definition consistency - Ensure key terms maintain consistent definitions throughout your essay

Testing Your Logic

A powerful technique in the steps for an argumentative essay is to create a reverse outline. Work backward from your conclusion to your introduction, mapping each claim to its supporting evidence. This reveals any gaps in your reasoning or places where your argument relies on unsupported assertions.

Consider asking a peer to identify the main points of your argument after reading your essay. If their understanding doesn't match your intended message, you may need to strengthen logical connections between ideas.

Remember that logical consistency isn't just about avoiding contradictions—it's about creating a compelling path that guides readers naturally from your premise to your conclusion through carefully structured steps in argumentative essay writing.

Effective Editing and Proofreading

The final crucial step to creating an argumentative essay involves meticulous editing and proofreading. These processes transform a good argumentative essay into an exceptional one by eliminating errors and refining your expression.

The Two-Stage Approach

According to the UNC Writing Center, editing and proofreading serve distinct purposes in the argumentative essay steps:

Editing (Content and Structure)

• Review argument coherence and paragraph organization
• Strengthen transitions between ideas
• Eliminate redundant points that dilute your thesis
• Replace vague language with precise terminology
• Balance paragraph lengths for better reading rhythm

Proofreading (Technical Accuracy)

• Correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors
• Check citation formatting for consistency
• Verify that quotes are accurately transcribed
• Ensure proper formatting throughout the document

Practical Strategies for Effective Revision

1. Create distance - Set your essay aside for at least a few hours (ideally 24+ hours) before editing to gain fresh perspective
2. Change the format - Convert your document to a different format (print it out or change font/size) to help spot errors more easily
3. Read aloud - Vocalize your essay to identify awkward phrasing, run-on sentences, and logical gaps
4. Work systematically - Focus on one type of error at a time rather than trying to catch everything in a single pass
5. Use digital tools wisely - Employ grammar checkers as a starting point, but never rely on them exclusively

Final Checklist

• Does each paragraph advance your thesis?
• Have you eliminated unnecessary adverbs and replaced them with stronger verbs?
• Are your sentences varied in length and structure?
• Have you checked for consistent tense usage?
• Is your tone appropriate for your audience and purpose?

Remember that in argumentative essay writing, precision matters. Even minor errors can undermine your credibility and distract readers from your otherwise compelling argument.

Final Checklist for Essay Success

Completing the steps in writing an argumentative essay culminates in this final critical stage: conducting a comprehensive review using a systematic checklist. This methodical approach ensures nothing is overlooked before submission.

According to Perfect Essay Writer, a thorough final review should address content, structure, and technical elements. Here's a comprehensive checklist organized by key components:

Thesis and Argument Structure

• Thesis clarity - Is your main argument immediately identifiable and precisely stated?
• Argument progression - Do ideas build logically from one paragraph to the next?
• Counter-arguments - Have you acknowledged and effectively addressed opposing viewpoints?
• Evidence quality - Is each claim supported by relevant, credible evidence?

Content Effectiveness

• Introduction impact - Does your opening effectively hook readers and establish context?
• Paragraph structure - Does each paragraph contain a clear topic sentence, supporting evidence, and analysis?
• Conclusion strength - Does your conclusion synthesize main points and provide meaningful closure?
• Overall persuasiveness - Would a neutral reader find your argument compelling?

Technical Requirements

1. Format compliance - Have you followed all specified formatting guidelines (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.)?
2. Citation accuracy - Are all sources properly cited in both in-text citations and works cited/references?
3. Word count - Does your essay meet length requirements without unnecessary padding?
4. Submission elements - Have you included all required components (title page, abstract, appendices)?

Language and Style

• Tone consistency - Have you maintained an appropriate academic tone throughout?
• Clarity of expression - Is your writing free of ambiguity and overly complex sentences?
• Active voice - Have you primarily used active rather than passive constructions?
• Vocabulary precision - Have you selected the most accurate terms for your subject matter?

Printing this checklist and physically checking off each item creates accountability in your argumentative essay guidelines. Taking this final step seriously often makes the difference between satisfactory and exceptional work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the last step in creating an argumentative essay?

The last step is crafting a strong closing statement that summarizes your arguments and reinforces your thesis, leaving a lasting impression on your reader.

How do I write an effective conclusion for my argumentative essay?

To write an effective conclusion, restate your thesis in a new way, summarize the main arguments concisely, and provide meaningful final thoughts, such as a call to action or future implications.

What should I avoid in my essay conclusion?

Avoid using phrases like "In conclusion," introducing new arguments, using apologetic language, or writing lengthy conclusions that distract from your key message.

How can I ensure logical consistency in my argumentative essay?

Check that each argument clearly supports your thesis, maintain a consistent argumentative framework, and address counter-arguments fairly. A reverse outline can help reveal logical gaps.

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