An essay contention is the main argument or point that an essay is trying to make. It is the central focus of the essay and is usually stated in the introduction. The rest of the essay is then used to support and develop the contention.
Here are some examples of essay contentions:
- The death penalty is not an effective deterrent to crime and should be abolished.
- Climate change is the greatest threat facing humanity and urgent action must be taken to address it.
- The use of animal testing in cosmetics is unethical and should be banned.
- The current education system is not adequately preparing students for the future and needs to be reformed.
- The proliferation of fake news online is undermining trust in the media and needs to be addressed.
In each of these examples, the contention is the main argument or point that the essay is trying to make. The rest of the essay would then be used to provide evidence and arguments to support the contention.
It is important for an essay to have a clear and well-defined contention, as this helps to focus the essay and ensure that it stays on track. It also helps the reader to understand the main point of the essay and to follow the author's line of reasoning. A strong essay contention can make an essay more persuasive and engaging, and can help to convince the reader of the validity of the argument being presented.