In an argumentative essay, you have to prove your point of view with facts, statistics, quotes of experts in the area, personal observations and other kinds of proof. Such type of essay can also be titled "persuasive". For a persuasive essay, you will have to study a controversial topic that does not have only a single opinion and solution, carefully research all facts and evidence, and come up with your own position. You state this position in a thesis statement and will try to prove it in the body of the essay.