Constructing a Reasoned ArgumentConstructing a Reasoned Argumentwww.cedarville.edu/departments/writingcenter/resources/student/argument.pptwww.cedarville.edu/departments/writingcenter/resources/student/argument.ppt

Here’s the Secret…Here’s the Secret…

How do I make a good argument?How do I analyze an argument? How can I get a good grade?

LEARN TO ASK (GOOD) QUESTIONS

How do I make a good argument?How do I analyze an argument? How can I get a good grade?

LEARN TO ASK (GOOD) QUESTIONS

Where do you start?Where do you start?

The RequirementsType of Presentation: speech or paper?

What is the purpose of my presentation?

To present a side (informative)To argue a side (persuasive)

Make sure you know what is being asked of you and DO THAT!

The RequirementsType of Presentation: speech or paper?

What is the purpose of my presentation?

To present a side (informative)To argue a side (persuasive)

Make sure you know what is being asked of you and DO THAT!

Finding a topicFinding a topic

Ask YourselfWhat are my Passions?

What is going on around me?Relevance – Would a reader care?Controversial – Would anyone disagree?

Can I find information about it?

Ask YourselfWhat are my Passions?

What is going on around me?Relevance – Would a reader care?Controversial – Would anyone disagree?

Can I find information about it?

For me…For me…

Assume NOTHINGAssume NOTHING

Test your tentative topicIs this topic appropriate?

Does it fit the requirements?Is this topic workable?

Is it too narrow or too broad?Will it fit within the time/page contraints?

Is this topic really interesting?Do you really care enough to live with it?Will others be interested enough to read

it?

Test your tentative topicIs this topic appropriate?

Does it fit the requirements?Is this topic workable?

Is it too narrow or too broad?Will it fit within the time/page contraints?

Is this topic really interesting?Do you really care enough to live with it?Will others be interested enough to read

it?

Start to ExploreStart to Explore

Write your topic at the top of the paper

Draw a vertical line down the paperOn one side, write down what you

already know about the topic.On the other side, write down what you

don’t know about itTurn the second column into research

questions to pursue.

Write your topic at the top of the paper

Draw a vertical line down the paperOn one side, write down what you

already know about the topic.On the other side, write down what you

don’t know about itTurn the second column into research

questions to pursue.

Basic InformationBasic Information

Grasp the CONTEXT of the debate.What are the basic facts?What is the history of the dialogue?

Find out ALL sides of the debateWhat are the arguments for AND

against?Find AUTHORITATIVE sources.

Who are the experts?Where is the best information?

Grasp the CONTEXT of the debate.What are the basic facts?What is the history of the dialogue?

Find out ALL sides of the debateWhat are the arguments for AND

against?Find AUTHORITATIVE sources.

Who are the experts?Where is the best information?

Thinking is hard workThinking is hard work

The more you think through the ideas to begin with, the less work you leave for yourself in the long run.

Avoid the easy route, if possibleDo more than internet researchTalk to the professorBrainstorm on paper (WRITE IT OUT)

The more you think through the ideas to begin with, the less work you leave for yourself in the long run.

Avoid the easy route, if possibleDo more than internet researchTalk to the professorBrainstorm on paper (WRITE IT OUT)

Now what?Now what?

Figure out what you’re going to say BEFORE you start to draft.

More work up front means less work later:Thesis sentencesOutlines (full sentence)

Figure out what you’re going to say BEFORE you start to draft.

More work up front means less work later:Thesis sentencesOutlines (full sentence)

Draft a Tentative ThesisDraft a Tentative Thesis

Start trying to write out your entire argument in a single sentenceMake a clear CLAIM about your topic.State every point you’ll discussBe sure someone can argue with you

This is TENTATIVE!It CAN and WILL change.

Start trying to write out your entire argument in a single sentenceMake a clear CLAIM about your topic.State every point you’ll discussBe sure someone can argue with you

This is TENTATIVE!It CAN and WILL change.

Writing a Good ThesisWriting a Good Thesis

BE objective.Don’t make it about yourself.Not “I believe that abortion is wrong”

but “Abortion is wrong.”

BE declarative.The thesis is NEVER a question. It is the ANSWER to a question.It is NOT the introduction. It’s your

POINT.

BE objective.Don’t make it about yourself.Not “I believe that abortion is wrong”

but “Abortion is wrong.”

BE declarative.The thesis is NEVER a question. It is the ANSWER to a question.It is NOT the introduction. It’s your

POINT.

Structure your ArgumentStructure your Argument

Write an outline based on the thesis.

What are the reasons for the claim in your thesis? (main points)

What evidence do you have? (subpoints)

Write an outline based on the thesis.

What are the reasons for the claim in your thesis? (main points)

What evidence do you have? (subpoints)

ASK QUESTIONSASK QUESTIONS

Have I included ALL the ideas from the thesis?

Did I include any ideas NOT in the thesis?

Are my points in the same order as they’re listed in the thesis?

Is this a provable, logical argument?

Have I included ALL the ideas from the thesis?

Did I include any ideas NOT in the thesis?

Are my points in the same order as they’re listed in the thesis?

Is this a provable, logical argument?

Provable?Provable?

How does this work?Support every idea with researchMake sure you CITE every outside

source.

EvidenceExpert, unbiased sources.Statistics, Examples, Illustrations

How does this work?Support every idea with researchMake sure you CITE every outside

source.

EvidenceExpert, unbiased sources.Statistics, Examples, Illustrations

Logical?Logical?

Evidence alone is not enough!

Logic is about seeing and making good connections between ideas.It connects your evidence to your

reasons.It helps you organize your ideas into

a valid order.It helps you avoid the logical fallacies.

Evidence alone is not enough!

Logic is about seeing and making good connections between ideas.It connects your evidence to your

reasons.It helps you organize your ideas into

a valid order.It helps you avoid the logical fallacies.

Test your ArgumentTest your Argument

Does your paper match your thesis? Is your argument logical?

Did you avoid the logical fallacies?Are your points in an effective order?

Is everything actually relevant?Do your quotes actually match your

ideas?Do your ideas jump around, or are your

paragraphs clearly focused?

Does your paper match your thesis? Is your argument logical?

Did you avoid the logical fallacies?Are your points in an effective order?

Is everything actually relevant?Do your quotes actually match your

ideas?Do your ideas jump around, or are your

paragraphs clearly focused?

Keep QuestioningKeep Questioning

Is my tone authoritative, but not rude?

Did I avoid plagiarizing others’ work?

Is my documentation (bibliography & citations) correctly formatted?

Can I word my ideas more effectively?

Is my tone authoritative, but not rude?

Did I avoid plagiarizing others’ work?

Is my documentation (bibliography & citations) correctly formatted?

Can I word my ideas more effectively?

Final tips…Final tips…

GET SOME OBJECTIVE HELPTry to think about your ideas as if

you were someone on the other side of the issue.

Go to the Writing Center.

Get a friend or classmate to read your paper. Read the paper out loud.

GET SOME OBJECTIVE HELPTry to think about your ideas as if

you were someone on the other side of the issue.

Go to the Writing Center.

Get a friend or classmate to read your paper. Read the paper out loud.