與其他文體相比，英治議論文的結構一般較為固定，有下列幾個部分組成：
1.提出需要議論的議題；
2.擺出正反兩方面的觀點；
3.表明作者持何種態度；
4.論證自己觀點的正確性從而使讀者接受自己的觀點；
5.小結。
在具體寫作中要注意下列幾點：
1.議題的提出要開門見山，不要拖泥帶水，囉囉唆唆
2.正反兩方面的觀點一般都要擺出，有時也有隻強調一種觀點的，那麼這就等於將上述第二點和第三點合在一起了
3.作者的觀點必須鮮明，不能模稜兩可
4.論證自己的觀點是議論文的最關鍵的部分。論證手段與英語説明文中的一些寫作手法相同，常用的有羅列法、舉例法、因果法、比較法等等。
5.對於較長的英語議論文還可以在文章結尾時對全文要點作一小結。
下面這篇學生作文是較為典型的一篇英語議論文：
Should Examination Be Abolished （取消）？
The examination system has come to be the main theme （主題）of modern education. One should take an examination andsucceed in passing it before he could be admitted， promoted or graduated. As it plays so important a role in the realm of education （教育的領域） it is under much criticism （評論） as to its validity （有效性） . People who are in favour of it try to develop this system more； those who are against it believe that such a system should be abolished. Should examination be abolished？ In my opinion it should be.
Many people think that an examination is the only means to test knowledge， but， in fact， that is not true. A few questions given in an examination could by no means cover the whole field of the subject. Thus those who are able to answer them may be the poorest of the students and yet happen to know just a few points about that subject.
I'd like to say that， because of the existence of the examination system， students pay so much attention to gaining high marks， that they often forget the chief purpose of education. The so-called clever students devote （貢獻） themselves to the study of textbooks only. They， of course， know nothing but the skeleton （梗概） of knowledge. The end and aim of education， however， is to enable students to learn how to live. To do this， students must get themselves to do all kinds of training， physicalas well as mental. The present examination system has discouraged students from making such an attempt.
Moreover， since the students try so hard to put their lessons into memory in as short a time as possible， psychologically （心理上來看）， they soon forget the whole subject as soon as the examination is over. Surely this is one of the greatest wastes ever made in the history of civilization.
Lastly， in order to get high marks， there is a great temptation （誘惑） for students to cheat （作弊） in an examination. Indeed， such a practice becomes the means to the end. They cheat their teachers， their parents and also themselves. Such a tendency would impair （損害） our moral standards （道德標準） .
Therefore， I am of the opinion， in conclusion， that the examination system should be abolished.