The goal of the argumentative essay is to persuade the reader to agree with your position on an issue or controversial topic. You must use appropriate, credible information to understand the various viewpoints, the history and the extent of the topic, solutions that have been suggested, and the consequences if the problem remains unsolved.
To find library resources that look at issues from different points of view, see our guide to finding Pro/Con information. Many of our pro/con databases have a page where you will find statistics, maps, and graphs.