If you need tips on writing a dialectic essay, chances are you are struggling with this not-so-common academic assignment. Don’t worry: you are not alone. This paper type is among the most difficult ones, so many students have similar problems.
Luckily, we have the solution to offer – or, rather, two solutions. You can go the short way or the long way, depending on your circumstances and attitude.
If you need a quick fix, you can simply place a ‘type my essay for me’ order on an online writing service, and qualified writers will willingly help you out. In case you are prepared to go the long way and learn to write better yourself, read on to find out more about dialectic essays and how to deal with them.
So, What Is a Dialectic Essay?
A dialectic essay is an academic paper that requires the author to view the thesis from all angles and consider both arguments and counterarguments before arriving at a conclusion. Usually, it is a part of a course on philosophy. In a way, it resembles a live debate where the participants share opposing views and discuss them to come to an agreement.
Dialectic Essay Structure
Technically, a dialectic essay is a typical five-paragraph paper that is very similar to an argumentative essay. Therefore, it consists of the same three sections, namely:
The main difference between the typical argumentative essay and a dialectic one lies in the body paragraphs. These should contain not only the arguments and the evidence but also the counterarguments.
Here is what the structure of the body section looks like in a dialectic academic paper:
- Argument
- Counterargument
- Counter-counterargument.
Sometimes, this structure is also represented as ‘thesis-antithesis-synthesis’ – but the overall meaning remains the same. Now that you have a general idea of what a dialectic essay is and how to structure it properly, let’s zoom in on the details.
6 Tips on Writing a Dialectic Essay
Here are some of our best tips on writing a dialectic academic paper the right way.
Read the Samples
Knowing the definition and the structure of a dialectic essay is essential, but it is often not enough for a student who has never dealt with this paper type before. If you are still unsure what the outcome of your essay writing efforts should be, the best you can do is to check out several examples.
You can easily find these on the internet – just type ‘dialectic essay sample’ into the search bar. But be careful: not all of these samples are professionally written, so remember to verify the source before you take a specific sample as a model for your work.
Come Up With a Controversial Topic
Choosing the right topic is crucial to your success when writing a dialectic paper. Therefore, if you are given the choice, think hard to come up with something controversial enough to build a debate on.
If you need inspiration, just browse through the news: what are the most debatable topics right now? Abortion rights, climate change, technological progress?.. You name it. Whatever you choose, remember that playing safe is no option here because no controversy means no debate.
Don’t Be Biased
The nature of polarizing topics implies that they have ardent supporters and opposers. Thus, it is very likely that you will find yourself in one of these opposing camps. However, your duty as a researcher is to remain unbiased and pay due attention to all viewpoints, not just to the one you support.
When you display bias, you disrupt the whole structure of your paper and demonstrate that you completely miss the point of the assignment. This approach will inevitably result in a lower grade, so try to be objective no matter what.
Brainstorm the Ideas In a Group
As a dialectic essay is an imitation of a debate between a group of people, the best way to discover all the arguments and counterarguments is to have an actual group discussion. So, if you have writer’s block and can’t come up with ideas on your own, ask friends and relatives for help.
Alternatively, you can turn to social media and discuss your topic with your followers or on popular online forums like Quora or Reddit. When you have the opinions, write them down in a bullet list and choose the ones that fit the structure of your paper.
Keep It Logical
Dialectic academic papers are all about logic, so breaking it is the worst thing you can do. To keep it flowing naturally, remember how the body paragraphs should be organized in this paper type.
In a dialectic essay, only the first body paragraph supports your thesis. The second paragraph is a counterargument to the thesis, whilst the third one should be an amalgamation of both the argument and the counterargument. Alternatively, the third body paragraph can contradict the second and further support the initial statement.
Mind the Conclusion
When writing such a complex paper, it is very easy to get lost in the arguments and arrive at a conclusion that is totally different from the initial thesis statement. This, of course, is a mistake – as in any other academic paper, your conclusion should be in clear conjunction with the thesis.
However, it is allowed to slightly modify the thesis in the conclusion when writing a dialectic essay. If you have managed to prove both the argument and the counterargument right in the course of the debate, the conclusion can be a synthesis of both viewpoints. Yet again, this should come out as clearly logical.
Wrapping Up
A dialectic essay might seem a daunting assignment at a first glance. But once you learn how to write it well, it has all the chances of becoming your favorite, especially if you like debates and the search for the ultimate truth.
Moreover, writing such papers is great training for real-life discussions, so don’t neglect this assignment if you want to acquire some critical life skills!