The argument paper 2013

The Argument Paper

Karen S. Wright

The argument paper must present a debatable point.

Mere knowledge of the truth will not give you the art of persuasion.Plato

Think

Hmm

Yep!

When choosing a topic for written argument, be sure it is open for debate.

Facts are a matter of information, not debate.

An essay becomes an argument when it takes a position concerning the facts.

? ?

Fact:

Open Debate:

OppositePosition:

Students at Washington College should be required to take physical education.

Students at Washington College should not be required to take physical

education.

Students at Washington State College are required to take physical education.

•A claim is a statement that gives a position about a topic that can be supported by evidence, reasons, and examples.

•The thinking process that moves you from a topic to a defensible position calls for you to first make an claim.

The exact wording of a claim often does not find its way into your essay, but it serves as a focus for your thinking and writing.

Topic: The

commercialization of holidays.

Claim: Holidays have become too commercialized.

Claim: Holidays have not become too

commercialized.

Claim: Holidays have become too commercialized.

Thesis: The spirit of the holidays is being destroyed by commercialism.

Claim: Holidays have not become too commercialized.

Thesis: Commercial uses of holidays benefit the nation’s economy and lift people’s spirits.

Develop a thesis statement for a written argument on the following topic:

Topic: Book censorship in libraries.

Thesis (For):

Thesis (Against):

Structuring Written Argument

• No one structure fits all written arguments.

• Most college writing uses a structure based on the classical pattern of argument developed by the Greeks and Romans, which is still highly respected today.

Elements in Written Argument

• Introductory Paragraph• Thesis Statement • Background

Information• Reasons or Evidence• Solutions—past and

present• Anticipation to Likely

Objections • Rebuttal of Objections• Concluding Paragraph-

Call to Action

• Sets the stage for the paper;

• Uses a story or anecdote;• Gives a pertinent

statistic;• Asks a provocative

question;• Uses an appropriate

quotation;• Makes an analogy;• Defines terms used;• Identifies the situation.

Introductory Paragraph

Thesis Statement

• It states the position being argued.

• It states the essay’s subject.

• It reflects the essay’s purpose.

• It includes a focus—a claim that conveys your point of view.

• It uses specific language where vague words are avoided.

Don’t be upset—Just think logically

Oh no!!

Background Information

Gives the reader basic information needed for understanding the position being argued.

This information can be part of the introductory paragraph.

It can also appear in its own paragraph.

Reasons or EvidenceSupports the position

being argued.The core of the essay.The reasoning must be

logical and solid as a rock.Each reason consists of a

general statement backed up with specific examples--and don’t forget---develop these ideas.

One or two paragraphs are devoted to each reason.

What has been done?

What can be done?

•This section mentions possible oppositions to the argument and rebuts it briefly.•In classical argument, this “refutation” appears in its own paragraph, immediately BEFORE the concluding paragraph.

Anticipation of Objections and Responses

• An alternative placement of the rebuttal is immediately after the introductory paragraph, as a “bridge” to the rest of the essay.

• With the “bridge,” the essay’s thesis statement falls either at the end of the introductory paragraph or at the end of the “refutation” paragraph.

An Alternative Placement

Concluding ParagraphBrings the essay to an

end that flows logically and gracefully from the thesis.

Does not cut reader off abruptly.

Call for awareness, action, or similar type of resolution.

Look ahead to the future—a call to action

Use Effective Reasoning

Be logical: use sound reasoning.

Enlist the emotions of the reader: enlist the values and beliefs of the reader by arousing “the better self” of the reader.

Establish credibility: show that you, as the writer, can be relied upon as a knowledgeable person with good sense.

Establish a Reasonable Tone• Be fair to opposing

arguments.• Don’t ignore other

positions.• This kind of respect

provides a reasonable tone.

• Choose your words carefully.

• Don’t exaggerate.• Use similes and

metaphors cautiously.• Never insult the other

side.

1. Does the thesis statement have a debatable topic?

2. Is the material properly structured for a written argument?

3. Do the reasons and evidence support the thesis statement?

4. Are the generalizations supported by specific detail?

5. Are opposing positions mentioned and responded to?

6. Is the tone reasonable?

Revision Checklist for argument