What not to say in an argumentative essay?

Asked by: Miss Amelia Bailey PhD  |  Last update: February 20, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (10 votes)

In an argumentative essay, avoid informal language, absolute terms (always, never), emotional appeals, vague statements, personal attacks, and logical fallacies; instead, use objective, specific language, strong evidence, clear transitions, and an active voice to build a credible, well-supported argument. Don't just state opinions but back them with research, and steer clear of clichés or grandiose openings to maintain an academic tone.

What can you not say in an argumentative essay?

In academic writing, avoid using informal or vague words that weaken your arguments. Common words to steer clear of include "very," "really," "kind of," "sort of," "good," "bad," "you," "I," "we," "stuff," and absolute terms like "always" or "never." These terms can make your writing seem imprecise or overly casual.

What should be avoided in argumentative essay writing?

  • Starting your paper off with a dull first sentence. It's really easy to start your paper with a boring first sentence. ...
  • Making your paper feel disconnected from everything. ...
  • Not stating your position clearly. ...
  • Not including convincing reasons or evidence. ...
  • Relying on logical fallacies to make your argument more persuasive.

What not to say in an argument?

Personal attacks: insults, name-calling, or attacking their personality instead of the issue. Contempt: eye-rolling, mocking, or saying things like “You're ridiculous” or “Grow up.” Ultimatums in the heat of the moment: “If you walk away, we're over,” said just to scare or control.

What is a common mistake in an argumentative essay?

A common mistake is that students quote directly from the text, or restate what the texts say, without evaluating the information given and using it to support THEIR own argument about which text presents the most compelling arguments.

How to Write an Argumentative Essay with Example

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What are the 20 most common writing mistakes?

20 Most Common Grammatical Mistakes in Academic Writing With Examples

  • Subject-verb agreement.
  • Run-on sentences.
  • Using informal language or contractions.
  • Redundant phrasing and wordiness.
  • Citation and referencing errors.
  • Unnecessary or missing comma.
  • Unnecessary or missing capitalization.
  • Unnecessary or missing hyphen.

What are the 12 logical fallacies?

Twelve common logical fallacies include Ad Hominem (attacking the person), Straw Man (misrepresenting an argument), False Dilemma (oversimplifying to two choices), Hasty Generalization (jumping to conclusions), Slippery Slope (assuming a chain reaction), Appeal to Authority/Emotion/Pity/Popularity (using irrelevant influence), Red Herring (distraction), Circular Reasoning/Begging the Question (assuming the conclusion), Post Hoc (false cause), and Equivocation (using ambiguous words), all of which weaken arguments by relying on faulty reasoning instead of evidence.
 

What are the 7 C's of conflict?

The "7 Cs of Conflict" aren't a single, standardized set but rather different frameworks focusing on constructive approaches like Communication, Comprehension, Consideration, Courage, Collaboration, Commitment, and Care, emphasizing empathy, active listening, understanding perspectives, and finding common ground to resolve disagreements effectively, often building on the classic 7 Cs of general communication (Clear, Concise, Concrete, Correct, Coherent, Complete, Courteous). They provide guidelines for moving from adversarial conflict to productive problem-solving, focusing on the issue, not the person, and fostering stronger relationships.
 

What is the 3 6 9 rule in relationships?

The 3-6-9 rule is a relationship guideline suggesting three stages in the first year: the first 3 months are the "honeymoon" phase (infatuation); months 3-6 involve growing conflict as flaws appear; and months 6-9 are the "decision-making" stage where couples face real issues, with successful navigation leading to stability, while also advising to delay major commitments like sex or moving in until at least 3, 6, or 9 months to let love chemicals settle and see the real person.
 

What are toxic arguments?

Healthy: Conflicts are addressed constructively and lead to solutions. Toxic: Arguments escalate and often end in unresolved resentment.

How to get an A+ on an essay?

To get an A+ on an essay, you need a strong, clear thesis, solid evidence, critical analysis that connects evidence to the thesis, and impeccable structure, flow, and grammar, all while meticulously following the assignment prompt and proofreading thoroughly. Start by understanding the assignment, researching well, outlining logically, and crafting a compelling intro/conclusion, then refine with editing and feedback to demonstrate deep thinking and clear communication. 

What are 10 errors students make when writing?

Ten common writing errors students make include comma splices/run-on sentences, sentence fragments, subject-verb agreement issues, vague pronoun references, dangling/misplaced modifiers, incorrect word choice/homophones, overuse of passive voice, poor thesis statements, lack of clear structure/transitions, and failing to revise/proofread, all impacting clarity and credibility.
 

How do people with ADHD write essays?

Some people find it helpful to break down the writing process into smaller tasks and work on a number of tasks in smaller sprints. However, some people with ADHD find managing a number of tasks overwhelming, so for them, a “marathon write” may be a good idea. A marathon write doesn't have to mean last-minute writing.

Do and don'ts in essay?

Don't use words like “finally”, “in sum” or “in conclusion”. Don't repeat or sum up in any way. Don't start too many sentences with the word “I”. Don't tell the reader explicitly, “I am a unique and interesting person.” Instead, let the reader glean this from your unique and interesting essay.

What are the 6 C's of argumentative writing?

Drafting involves writing consistently in a formal, casual, or informal style characterized by the “Six Cs”: clarity, conciseness, coherence, correctness, courtesy, and conviction.

What are the 5 D's of college essays?

The "5 Ds" of college essays are common, overused topics that often make it difficult for students to stand out, including Death, Divorce, Disease, Drugs, and Dating (or Drama)**, with many counselors suggesting avoiding them because they're hard to handle authentically and often lead to clichés, though the focus should always be on you (the writer) rather than just the event itself. 

What is 777 in dating?

Theres a rule out there called the 777 rule that offers couples a gentle, intentional way to keep their bond strong and their hearts aligned. The concept is simple yet powerful: have a date night every seven days, a weekend getaway every seven weeks, and a romantic holiday every seven months.

What does 60 40 mean in love?

“What Is The 60/40 Rule In Relationships?” . . Because when you believe in the 50/50 rule, you're looking to be even with your partner. When you're focusing your energy into giving 60% into your relationship and only expecting 40% back, that's when you've developed a healthy and successful relationship.

What are the 5 C's of dating?

The "5 Cs of dating" offer guidelines for building healthy connections, with common versions focusing on Communication, Compatibility/Commonality, Chemistry, Consistency/Commitment, and Compassion/Character, though interpretations vary slightly, emphasizing open talk, shared values, attraction, reliability, and kindness as crucial pillars for a thriving relationship. These principles help assess if a connection is built to last beyond initial excitement, focusing on mutual respect and support. 

What are the ABCs of conflict?

Conflict escalates when partners attack each other using the ABCs – “accusation, blame, and coercion.”

What are the 7 skills of communication?

The 7 Cs of Communication are a framework for effective messaging: Clear, Concise, Concrete, Correct, Coherent, Complete, and Courteous, providing guidelines for clear, impactful communication in writing or speaking by focusing on simplicity, accuracy, relevance, and respect to avoid misunderstandings and build trust.
 

What is conflict in grade 7?

A conflict is a disagreement, struggle, or problem. There are two main kinds of conflict in stories: internal and external.

What is a straw man fallacy?

Straw man fallacy occurs when someone distorts their opponent's argument by oversimplifying or exaggerating it, for example, and then refutes this “new” version of the argument—called a straw man argument.

What is an argument that Cannot be disproved?

An argument (or, rather, a statement) that can't be proven wrong is usually called "unfalsifiable", and one that can't be proven right is sometimes called "unverifiable."

What is the cherry picking fallacy?

The cherry picking fallacy occurs when only evidence supporting an argument is selected and presented, while contradictory evidence is ignored. This practice harms credibility and persuasiveness by giving an impression of bias and a lack of consideration for alternative perspectives.