Prompts / Studying & Academic Writing

ChatGPT prompt for an argumentative essay

This prompt helps you construct an argumentative essay from your assignment and evidence while showing the reasoning behind it. Use it when you need a defensible position rather than a list of opinions.

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Help me develop an argumentative essay in a way that improves my understanding. Do not invent sources, statistics, quotations, examples, or personal experiences.

Assignment and audience: [ASSIGNMENT]
Question or resolution: [QUESTION]
My tentative position and reasons: [MY POSITION]
Approved evidence and source notes: [EVIDENCE]
Required length, structure, and citation style: [REQUIREMENTS]

First, test my position. Identify the strongest reasonable opposing argument, the assumptions behind my claim, and the evidence that would weaken or qualify it. Then produce:
1. A one-sentence thesis that takes a clear, appropriately limited position and previews the main reasons.
2. A paragraph-by-paragraph outline. For each paragraph, give its claim, evidence from my notes, reasoning that connects evidence to the thesis, and a transition.
3. A counterargument paragraph plan that represents the opposition fairly before responding with evidence or a limitation.
4. A draft of [DRAFT PART] in the required style. Use only claims supported by my evidence. Separate fact from interpretation, and use qualifying language where the evidence is limited.
5. Four questions I should answer myself before submitting, focused on logic, evidence, and audience.

Do not use a straw man, false dilemma, personal attack, or “everyone knows” claim. Before answering, check that each reason is distinct, each factual claim is supported by a supplied note, and the rebuttal genuinely addresses the best opposition. Flag missing evidence instead of filling gaps. Ask up to 3 clarifying questions only if a required input is missing.

Fill in

PlaceholderWhat to enterExample
[ASSIGNMENT]Paste the essay prompt, intended audience, and rubric requirements.Grade 11 civics essay for classmates and teacher; assess a local policy and use three reliable sources.
[QUESTION]State the debatable question or resolution your essay must address.Should our city replace minimum parking requirements near transit stations?
[MY POSITION]Write your preliminary claim and the reasons you currently believe support it.Yes, because the rule raises housing costs and consumes land, but accessible parking still needs targeted protection.
[EVIDENCE]Paste approved source notes, data, examples, and exact quotations you may use.City planning report: 18% of downtown land is surface parking. Housing study notes parking construction adds $25,000–$50,000 per space. Disability coalition statement requests accessible spaces.
[REQUIREMENTS]Enter the word count, required organization, number of sources, and citation style.900–1,100 words, MLA citations, introduction, three body paragraphs, counterargument, conclusion.
[DRAFT PART]Name the portion to draft, such as introduction, body paragraph, or conclusion.counterargument paragraph

How to use

  1. Paste evidence notes with enough context to tell what each source actually establishes.
  2. Read the opposition section before drafting; replace a weak counterargument with the strongest fair objection you can find.
  3. Check that your reasons do not repeat the same point using different words.
  4. Follow up with: "Give me two possible thesis qualifications that would make this claim more accurate without making it vague."

Variations

Thesis builder

Use before you have chosen a side.

Variation
Help me form a defensible thesis for this assignment: [ASSIGNMENT]. The question is [QUESTION], and my preliminary notes are [NOTES]. Give three positions with different scopes, each followed by the evidence it would require and the strongest objection it must answer. Do not invent research. Recommend the option most supportable from my notes and explain its limitation. Ask up to 3 questions only if required inputs are missing.

Counterargument lab

Use when your rebuttal feels weak or unfair.

Variation
Strengthen the counterargument section of my essay. My thesis is [THESIS], my evidence is [EVIDENCE], and my current draft is [DRAFT]. State the best opposing case in its strongest fair form, identify which parts my evidence can answer, and identify what it cannot answer. Draft a 180-word counterargument-and-rebuttal paragraph using only supplied evidence. Avoid straw men and unsupported facts. Ask up to 3 questions only if needed.

Logic audit

Use after completing a draft.

Variation
Audit the reasoning in this argumentative essay: [DRAFT]. My assignment requirements are [REQUIREMENTS], and my evidence notes are [EVIDENCE]. Return a table identifying each main claim, its evidence, its implied reasoning, possible fallacy or gap, and a precise revision suggestion. Flag claims unsupported by my notes. Do not rewrite the paper or add sources. Ask up to 3 questions only if a required input is missing.

Tips

  • A thesis should make a claim someone informed could disagree with, then limit it to the conditions your evidence can actually support.
  • Put reasoning between evidence and conclusion; a statistic alone does not explain why the reader should accept your claim.
  • State counterarguments in terms their supporters would recognize. Dismissing a weak version of the other side makes the essay less credible.
  • Use one source note for one precise purpose; do not make a source appear to prove more than its method or scope allows.

FAQ

Can AI write my argumentative essay for me?

Check your class policy. It is most useful for testing claims, organizing evidence, and identifying reasoning gaps while you remain responsible for the argument and final work.

What makes a good counterargument?

It is a credible objection to your actual thesis, supported by reasons or evidence. Your response should concede valid limits and explain why your position still holds.

Do I need sources for every sentence?

You need citations for sourced facts, data, and others' ideas. Your analysis should explain how that evidence supports your position, rather than becoming a chain of citations.

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