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Purdue University Writing Lab
Organizing Your Argument
A presentation brought to you by
the Purdue University
Writing Lab
Purdue University Writing Lab
What is an argument?
An argument involves the process of stating a claim and then proving it with the use of logical reasoning, examples, and research.
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Why is organization important in building an argument?
Takes your audience through your thought process to know why you think as you do
Explains each argued point A logical progression of
ideas shows you know what you’re talking about
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Organizing your argument
Title Introduction
Thesis statement Body Paragraphs
Contain Topic SentencesDetails that support topic
sentenceTells why opposition is wrong
Conclusion
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Title--why do you need one?
Introduces the topic of discussion to the audience
Generates reader interest in the argument
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Creating a Title
Try to grab attention Get the audience curiousChoose words or examples
from the paperAsk a question
Avoid titles that are too general or lack interest
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Considering Titles
Imagine you just wrote a paper offering solutions to the problem of road rage. Which do you consider to be the best title?
Road Rage
Can’t Drive 55
Road Rage: Curing Our Highway Epidemic
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What is an introduction?
Introduces the reader to the topic and purpose of the paper through its thesis
Gets the audience interested in the topic
Gives an overview of the argument
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Body Paragraphs and Topic Sentences
Each topic sentence should directly support the thesis.
Body paragraphs support the claims made in the introductory paragraph(s).
Make sure you inform the audience about your topic before you explain what should be done about it.
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Incorporating research into the body paragraphs
Researched material can help you prove why your opinion is right.
Research material shows you know what you’re talking about
Research material MUST be documented OR YOU ARE PLAGIARIZING!
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Document In Text
In Among the Hidden, Haddix shows that population policy can lead people to confuse right from wrong. Luke shows he understands this has happened when he realizes “it wasn’t truly wrong for him to exist, just illegal” (137). Since it is usually considered wrong to do something illegal, he has always considered it wrong for him to be alive. He has learned that the law is wrong, not him.
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Documenting In Text
When documenting in text, the writer mustintroduce the information to make it “fit
in” the paragraph, create context for your source material
identify the author with a tag or include the author’s name with the page number
explain why the source material is important to the topic being supported
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Document In Text
In Among the Hidden, the reader sees how the population policy can lead people to confuse right from wrong. Luke shows he understands this has happened when he realizes “it wasn’t truly wrong for him to exist, just illegal” (Haddix 137). Since it is usually considered wrong to do something illegal, he has always considered it wrong for him to be alive. He has learned that the law is wrong, not him.
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End Test Documentation
This lets the reader know where you got your information so he can see that you used credible sources.
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End text documentation
Web articleAuthor (last name and first). “Article title.” Site
Title. Date posted or last updated. Sponsor. (if available) Date accessed. <web address>
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End text documentation
Book
Author’s last name, first name. Book title. City: Publisher, Copyright date.
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End text documentation
Called the Works Cited Lists sources in alphabetical order
according to the author’s last name. Listed according to source title if the
author’s name is unknown.
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Conclusion -- The Big Finale
Your conclusion should reemphasize the main points made in your paper.
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Conclusion -- The Big Finale
Let your reader know why this topic is important to him and why he should do something about it.
Don’t bring up any new topics.
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Organizing your argument
Title Introduction Body Paragraphs
Constructing Topic Sentences
Building Main PointsCountering the Opposition
Conclusion
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Where can you go for additional help with organizing your argument?
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Heavilon 226 Grammar Hotline:
(765) 494-3723 Check our web site:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu Email brief questions:
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