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Organizing Organizing Your Your

ArgumentArgument

A presentation brought to you byA presentation brought to you bythe Purdue University the Purdue University

Writing LabWriting Laband and

Prof. Del Giusti Prof. Del Giusti

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What is an argument?What is an argument?

An argument involves An argument involves the process of the process of establishing a claim establishing a claim and then proving it with and then proving it with the use of logical the use of logical reasoning, examples, reasoning, examples, and research.and research.

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The 'argument' is another word for what you do The 'argument' is another word for what you do in the 'main body' of your academic paper. in the 'main body' of your academic paper.

Argument suggests that the writer has a point of Argument suggests that the writer has a point of view.view.

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Let us think: Let us think:

Are there any differences between an Are there any differences between an argumentative and an expository argumentative and an expository

essay? essay?

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Expository vs. Argumentative Essays (1) Expository vs. Argumentative Essays (1)

Seeks to give info and Seeks to give info and explain itexplain it

Known as expository Known as expository writing (expounds on, writing (expounds on, sets forth ideas and sets forth ideas and facts)facts)

Seeks to convince the Seeks to convince the reader about a matter reader about a matter of opinionof opinion

Called argumentative Called argumentative because it argues a because it argues a positionposition

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Expository vs. Argumentative Essays (2) Expository vs. Argumentative Essays (2)

Focuses mainly on Focuses mainly on the subject being the subject being discusseddiscussed

Includes reports of Includes reports of observations, ideas, observations, ideas, scientific data, facts scientific data, facts and statistics. and statistics.

Focuses mainly on Focuses mainly on the reader, whom the the reader, whom the writer wants to writer wants to influenceinfluence

Deals with the Deals with the debatable , that which debatable , that which has other sides to it.has other sides to it.

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Expository vs. Argumentative Essays (3)Expository vs. Argumentative Essays (3)

Offers info with a Offers info with a minimum of bias.minimum of bias.

Presents info Presents info completely, clearly completely, clearly and accuratelyand accurately

Writer expected to Writer expected to argue as convincingly argue as convincingly as possibleas possible

Offers convincing Offers convincing support for your point support for your point of view (not just a of view (not just a state of opinion)state of opinion)

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Expository vs. Argumentative Essays (4)Expository vs. Argumentative Essays (4)

Aims to educateAims to educate

Found in textbooks, Found in textbooks, encyclopedias, technical encyclopedias, technical and business reports, and business reports, nonfiction, newspapers nonfiction, newspapers and magazinesand magazines

Seeks to change the Seeks to change the reader’s mind, or bring reader’s mind, or bring the reader’s point of view the reader’s point of view closer to the writer’scloser to the writer’s

Examples: editorials, Examples: editorials, letters to the editor, letters to the editor, reviews, sermons, reviews, sermons, business or research business or research proposals, opinion essays proposals, opinion essays in magazines, books that in magazines, books that argue for a point of viewargue for a point of view

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Let us think: Let us think:

Are there any differences between an Are there any differences between an argumentative and a persuasive argumentative and a persuasive

essay? essay?

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Persuasion vs argumentationPersuasion vs argumentation Single-minded in its goal of changing Single-minded in its goal of changing

mindsminds More personalMore personal Often relies on a greater use of Often relies on a greater use of

passion and emotionpassion and emotion Uses a greater and more obvious Uses a greater and more obvious

range of rhetorical devices to convince range of rhetorical devices to convince the reader of its pointthe reader of its point

Both seek influence but readers’ views are respectedBoth seek influence but readers’ views are respected

There are other There are other equally valid views on equally valid views on the subjectthe subject

It tends to be more an It tends to be more an appeal to our sense appeal to our sense of reason- even if this of reason- even if this appeal is passionately appeal is passionately mademade

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How do you produce a good How do you produce a good argument?argument?

The best thing to do is The best thing to do is read read published published academic papers. academic papers.

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If you read academic papers, you will find thatIf you read academic papers, you will find that

writers spend a lot of time:writers spend a lot of time:

1)1) Advancing their own argumentsAdvancing their own arguments by by

giving evidencegiving evidence (usually in a tentative tone) (usually in a tentative tone)

2)2) Referring to their own workReferring to their own work (sometimes (sometimes called 'signposting')called 'signposting')

3)3) Reviewing other authors' workReviewing other authors' work (usually (usually critically but in a polite tone)critically but in a polite tone)

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4) When you are aware of other authors’ arguments, you 4) When you are aware of other authors’ arguments, you will sometimes want towill sometimes want to::

4.1.4.1. counter argumentscounter arguments

4.2.4.2. concede a point concede a point

4.3.4.3. qualify statementsqualify statements

5) Arguments can also be advanced or created by:5) Arguments can also be advanced or created by:

5.1. analogy5.1. analogy

5.2. asking questions5.2. asking questions

5.3. posing hypothetical futures 5.3. posing hypothetical futures

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Some common problems in Some common problems in writing argumentswriting arguments

Student writers often know that they Student writers often know that they should have an 'argument' and that should have an 'argument' and that

this this is connected only to having one is connected only to having one point of point of view. view.

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As many students don't have a point of view about As many students don't have a point of view about 'their' topic (because they frequently have not 'their' topic (because they frequently have not chosen it), they compensate by: chosen it), they compensate by:

a) Inserting lots of confident-sounding statementsa) Inserting lots of confident-sounding statements

about their point of view ('In my opinion...',about their point of view ('In my opinion...',

'Undeniably...'), 'Undeniably...'),

b) Using lots of 'logical connectors' ('however',b) Using lots of 'logical connectors' ('however',

'besides', 'moreover',etc) - sometimes overused'besides', 'moreover',etc) - sometimes overused

so they are quite illogical! so they are quite illogical!

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Recommendation:Recommendation:

Look for effective ways of introducing Look for effective ways of introducing your arguments and counterarguments!your arguments and counterarguments!

Look for effective ways of connecting Look for effective ways of connecting your sentences!your sentences!

Organize your arguments!!!Organize your arguments!!!

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Why is organization important in Why is organization important in building an argument?building an argument?

Guides an audience Guides an audience through your through your reasoning processreasoning process

Offers a clear Offers a clear explanation of each explanation of each argued pointargued point

Demonstrates the Demonstrates the credibility of the writercredibility of the writer

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Diagramming your argumentDiagramming your argumentISSUE

ISSUE QUESTION

THESIS STATEMENT

COUNTER ARGUMENT

REFUTATION

SUPPORTING REASON 1

SUPPORTING REASON 2

SUPPORTING REASON 3

EVIDENCE EVIDENCE EVIDENCE

CONCLUSION

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Organizing your argumentOrganizing your argument

TitleTitle IntroductionIntroduction

Thesis statementThesis statement Body ParagraphsBody Paragraphs

Constructing Topic Constructing Topic SentencesSentences

Building Main PointsBuilding Main Points Countering the Countering the

OppositionOpposition ConclusionConclusion

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Title--why do you need Title--why do you need one?one?

Introduces the topic of Introduces the topic of discussion to the discussion to the audienceaudience

Generates readers’ Generates readers’ interest in the argumentinterest in the argument

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Creating a TitleCreating a Title

Try to grab attention byTry to grab attention by offering a provocative offering a provocative

imageimage picking up on words or picking up on words or

examples offered in the examples offered in the body or conclusion of the body or conclusion of the paperpaper

asking a questionasking a question

Avoid titles that are too Avoid titles that are too general or lack charactergeneral or lack character

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Considering TitlesConsidering Titles

Imagine you just wrote a paper offering Imagine you just wrote a paper offering solutions to the problem of road rage. solutions to the problem of road rage. Which do you consider to be the best Which do you consider to be the best

title?title?Road RageRoad Rage

Can’t Drive 55Can’t Drive 55

Road Rage: Curing Our Highway EpidemicRoad Rage: Curing Our Highway Epidemic

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What is an introduction?What is an introduction?

Acquaints the reader Acquaints the reader with the topic and with the topic and purpose of the paperpurpose of the paper

Generates the Generates the audience’s interest in audience’s interest in the topicthe topic

Offers a plan for the Offers a plan for the ensuing argumentensuing argument

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Methods for Constructing an Methods for Constructing an IntroductionIntroduction

personal anecdotepersonal anecdote example-real or example-real or

hypotheticalhypothetical questionquestion quotationquotation shocking statisticsshocking statistics striking imagestriking image

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What is a thesis statement?What is a thesis statement?

The MOST IMPORTANT The MOST IMPORTANT SENTENCE in your paperSENTENCE in your paper

Lets the reader know the main Lets the reader know the main idea of the paperidea of the paper

Answers the question: “What Answers the question: “What am I trying to prove?”am I trying to prove?”

Not a factual statement, but a Not a factual statement, but a claim that has to be proven claim that has to be proven throughout the paperthroughout the paper

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REMEMBER!!!!REMEMBER!!!!

A thesis statement declares what you intend to prove.

A thesis gives your work focus.

A good thesis statement makes the difference between a thoughtful research project and a simple retelling of facts.

It makes the work worth reading!

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Role of the thesis statementRole of the thesis statement

The thesis statement should The thesis statement should guide your reader through guide your reader through your argument.your argument.

The thesis statement is The thesis statement is generally located in the generally located in the introduction of the paper.introduction of the paper.

A thesis statement may also A thesis statement may also be located within the body of be located within the body of the paper or in the the paper or in the conclusion, depending upon conclusion, depending upon the purpose or argument of the purpose or argument of the paper.the paper.

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How do I know if I have a solid tentative How do I know if I have a solid tentative thesis?thesis?

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Two Simple equations:

1) Specific topic + Attitude/Angle/Argument = Thesis

(or 3 Ts: Topic + ‘Tude = Thesis)

2) What you plan to argue

+ How you plan to argue it

= Your thesis

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Attributes of a good thesis:Attributes of a good thesis:

ContestableContestable--proposes an argument with which --proposes an argument with which people could reasonably disagreepeople could reasonably disagree

ProvocativeProvocative--takes a stand and justifies the --takes a stand and justifies the discussion you will present.discussion you will present.

CoverableCoverable--could be adequately covered in the format --could be adequately covered in the format of the project assigned.of the project assigned.

Specific and focused-Specific and focused--proves a point without -proves a point without discussing “everything in the world about …” discussing “everything in the world about …”

ProvableProvable-- asserts your own conclusion based on -- asserts your own conclusion based on solid evidencesolid evidence..

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Don’t rush your thesis!Don’t rush your thesis!

A good tentative thesis will help you focus your search A good tentative thesis will help you focus your search for information. for information.

You must do a lot of background reading before you You must do a lot of background reading before you know enough about a subject to identify the key or know enough about a subject to identify the key or essential questions. essential questions.

You may not know how you stand on an issue until You may not know how you stand on an issue until you have examined the evidence. you have examined the evidence.

You will likely begin your research with a working, You will likely begin your research with a working, preliminary or tentative thesis which you will continue preliminary or tentative thesis which you will continue to refine until you are certain of where the evidence to refine until you are certain of where the evidence leads.leads.

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Be flexible!Be flexible!

The evidence may lead you to a The evidence may lead you to a conclusion you didn't conclusion you didn't

think you'd reach.think you'd reach.

It is perfectly okay to It is perfectly okay to

change your thesis!change your thesis!

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How will you find a thesis?How will you find a thesis?As you read look for:As you read look for:

Interesting contrasts or comparisons or patterns Interesting contrasts or comparisons or patterns emerging in the informationemerging in the information

Something about the topic that surprises youSomething about the topic that surprises you

Ideas that make you wonder whyIdeas that make you wonder why

Priorities you can weighPriorities you can weigh

Something an "expert" says make you respond, "no Something an "expert" says make you respond, "no way! That can’t be right!" or "Yes, absolutely. I agree!"way! That can’t be right!" or "Yes, absolutely. I agree!"

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Try these five tests on your own tentative thesis:

Does the thesis  inspire a reasonable reader to ask, "How?" or Why?“

Would a reasonable reader NOT respond with "Duh!" or "So what?" or "Gee, no kidding!" or "Who cares?“

Does the thesis avoid general phrasing and/or sweeping words such as "all" or "none" or "every"?

Does the thesis lead the reader toward the topic sentences (the subtopics needed to prove the thesis)?

Can the thesis be adequately developed in the required length of the paper or project?

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If you cannot answer "YES" to these questions, you must

make changes in order for your thesis to pass these tests

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Which thesis statement is the most Which thesis statement is the most effective for an argument about the effective for an argument about the need for V-chips in television sets?need for V-chips in television sets?

Parents, often too busy to watch television shows with Parents, often too busy to watch television shows with their families, can monitor their children’s viewing their families, can monitor their children’s viewing habits with the aid of the V-chip.habits with the aid of the V-chip.

To help parents monitor their children’s viewing habits, To help parents monitor their children’s viewing habits, the V-chip should be a required feature for television the V-chip should be a required feature for television sets sold in the U.S.sets sold in the U.S.

This paper will describe a V-chip and examine the This paper will describe a V-chip and examine the uses of the V-chip in American-made television sets.uses of the V-chip in American-made television sets.

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Body Paragraphs andBody Paragraphs and Topic Sentences Topic Sentences

Body paragraphs build upon the claims Body paragraphs build upon the claims made in the introductory paragraph(s)made in the introductory paragraph(s)

Organize with the use of topic. Organize with the use of topic. sentences that illustrate the main idea sentences that illustrate the main idea of each paragraph.of each paragraph.

Offering a brief explanation of the Offering a brief explanation of the history or recent developments in your history or recent developments in your topic within the early body paragraphs topic within the early body paragraphs can help the audience to become can help the audience to become familiarized with your topic and the familiarized with your topic and the complexity of the issue. complexity of the issue.

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Body ParagraphsBody Paragraphs

Paragraphs may be Paragraphs may be ordered in several ways, ordered in several ways, depending upon the topic depending upon the topic and purpose of your and purpose of your argument:argument: General to specific General to specific

informationinformation Most important point to least Most important point to least

important pointimportant point Weakest claim to strongest Weakest claim to strongest

claimclaim

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Offering a CounterargumentOffering a Counterargument

Addressing the claims of the Addressing the claims of the opposition is an important opposition is an important component in building a component in building a convincing argument.convincing argument.

It demonstrates your It demonstrates your credibility as a writer--you credibility as a writer--you have researched multiple have researched multiple sides of the argument and sides of the argument and have come to an informed have come to an informed decision.decision.

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Offering a CounterargumentOffering a Counterargument

Counterarguments may be Counterarguments may be located at various located at various locations within your body locations within your body paragraphs.paragraphs.

You may choose toYou may choose to build each of your main build each of your main

points as a contrast to points as a contrast to oppositional claims.oppositional claims.

offer a counterargument offer a counterargument after you have articulated after you have articulated your main claims.your main claims.

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Counterarguing effectivelyCounterarguing effectively

Consider your audience when Consider your audience when you offer your counterargument.you offer your counterargument.

Conceding to some of your Conceding to some of your opposition’s concerns can opposition’s concerns can demonstrate respect for their demonstrate respect for their opinions.opinions.

Remain tactful yet firm.Remain tactful yet firm. Using rude or deprecating Using rude or deprecating

language can cause your audience language can cause your audience to reject your position without to reject your position without carefully considering your claims.carefully considering your claims.

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Incorporating research into the Incorporating research into the body paragraphsbody paragraphs

Researched material can aid Researched material can aid you in proving the claims of you in proving the claims of your argument and disproving your argument and disproving oppositional claims.oppositional claims.

Be sure to use your research Be sure to use your research to support the claims made in to support the claims made in your topic sentences--make your topic sentences--make your research work to prove your research work to prove your argument!your argument!

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Conclusion -- The Big FinaleConclusion -- The Big Finale

Your conclusion should Your conclusion should reemphasize the main reemphasize the main points made in your paper.points made in your paper.

You may choose to You may choose to reiterate a call to action or reiterate a call to action or speculate on the future of speculate on the future of your topic, when your topic, when appropriate.appropriate.

Avoid raising new claims Avoid raising new claims in your conclusion.in your conclusion.