Argumentative Essay Structure

An argumentative essay follows a three-part structure: the introduction raises the issue, the body presents the evidence, and the conclusion emphasizes the claim.

Introduction: raising the issue

State the background and significance of the topic and indicate the direction of the essay. Draw on expressions such as '-(eu)l piryoga itda' (there is a need to) and 'jumokhal manhada' (worth noting).

최근 환경 문제가 심화됨에 따라 정책적 대응이 시급하다.

choegeun hwangyeong munjega simhwadoeme ttara jeongchaekjeok daeeungi sigeuphada.

As environmental problems have intensified recently, a policy response is urgent.

본고는 이러한 현상의 원인을 세 측면에서 고찰한다.

bongoneun ireohan hyeonsangui wonineul se cheungmyeoneseo gochalhanda.

This paper examines the cause of this phenomenon from three angles.

Body: presenting evidence

Develop the evidence and examples that support the claim, paragraph by paragraph. Structure the logic with ordinal markers such as 'cheotjjae, duljjae, setjjae' (first, second, third) or 'useon, daeumeuro, kkeureuro' (first, next, finally).

첫째, 통계 자료가 이를 명확히 뒷받침한다.

cheotjjae, tonggye jaryoga ireul myeonghwakhi dwitbatchimhanda.

First, the statistical data clearly supports this.

물론 반론도 있으나, 그 근거는 충분하지 않다.

mullon ballondo isseuna, geu geungeoneun chungbunhaji anta.

There are counterarguments, of course, but their grounds are insufficient.

Concession and rebuttal

To strengthen persuasiveness, acknowledge an anticipated counterargument first and then rebut it. Structures such as 'mullon ~jiman' (of course ~, but) and '~raneun jijeokdo itda. geureona' (some point out that ~. However) are effective.

비용이 든다는 지적도 있다. 그러나 장기적 이익이 더 크다.

biyongi deundaneun jijeokdo itda. geureona janggijeok iigi deo keuda.

Some note the cost involved; however, the long-term benefit is greater.

Conclusion: emphasizing the claim

Summarize the body and restate the core claim. Use strong assertive expressions such as '-a/eoya hal geosida' (ought to) and '-(eu)l geoseul jeeonhanda' (it is proposed that).

따라서 제도적 개선이 조속히 이루어져야 할 것이다.

ttaraseo jedojeok gaeseoni josokhi irueojyeoya hal geosida.

Therefore, institutional improvement must be achieved promptly.

이에 본고는 단계적 도입을 제언하는 바이다.

ie bongoneun dangyejeok doibeul jeeonhaneun baida.

Accordingly, this paper proposes a phased introduction.

Stage	Function	Expressions
Introduction	raise the issue	-이 시급하다, 주목할 만하다
Body	present evidence	첫째/둘째, 이를 뒷받침한다
Body	rebut counterargument	물론 -지만, 그러나
Conclusion	emphasize the claim	-아야 할 것이다, -을 제언한다

💡 Tip: State strong claims only in the conclusion; in the body, present objective evidence first. Overusing emotional absolutes such as 'jeoldae' (absolutely) and 'mujokeon' (unconditionally) in the body weakens persuasiveness.

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