1. Personal Opinions and Anecdotes:
* Avoid: "In my opinion, the government should..." or "I know someone who..."
* Instead: "According to a study by the National Institute of Health,..." or "Statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show..."
2. Vague or General Statements:
* Avoid: "Social media has a negative impact on society."
* Instead: "Excessive social media use has been linked to increased anxiety and depression in teenagers, as demonstrated in a study by the American Psychological Association."
3. Emotional Appeals:
* Avoid: "It's heartbreaking to see the effects of climate change."
* Instead: "The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports that global temperatures have risen by 1 degree Celsius since the pre-industrial era, leading to more extreme weather events."
4. Slogans or Catchphrases:
* Avoid: "Think outside the box."
* Instead: "The company's innovative approach to marketing resulted in a 20% increase in sales."
5. Assumptions or Unverified Claims:
* Avoid: "Everyone knows that... "
* Instead: "Research suggests that..." or "A recent poll found that..."
6. Unrelated or Irrelevant Information:
* Avoid: Bringing in random facts or anecdotes that don't directly support your argument.
* Instead: Stay focused on the specific issue at hand and provide relevant evidence to support your claims.
7. Over-reliance on One Source:
* Avoid: Using only one source to support your entire argument.
* Instead: Draw evidence from multiple sources, such as scholarly articles, government data, expert opinions, and reputable reports.
8. Lack of Counterarguments:
* Avoid: Ignoring opposing viewpoints entirely.
* Instead: Acknowledge and address counterarguments to strengthen your own position and show that you have considered all sides of the issue.
By using specific evidence, such as statistics, research findings, expert opinions, and real-world examples, you can make your argumentative essay more persuasive and credible.