Report vs Argument

The Report The Argument

presents information is meant to be scanned may not need citations or bibliographic

references contains evidence often uses short concise paragraphs with bulleted

information, tables, illustrations, graphs, etc.

presents an point of view is meant to be read carefully should always be carefully documented with

internal citations and a list of Works Cited and/or Bibliography

is written in unified and coherent paragraphs Seldom uses graphics

Conclusion (Main Point)

Arguments Contain Reasoning

Verifiable Evidence

Data Statistics Artifacts

Documented ObservationsCase ExamplesExpert AuthorityResearch Studies

TestimonialsPersonal Examples

Logic

Explanations

IntuitionAnalogies

Reasons

Support

The Report Thesis The Essay Thesis

states what the topic of the essay is.

Global warming is caused by a number of factors.

The Kyoto treaty has both positive and negative aspects.

states an opinion or attitude about a topic.

The behavior of industrialized countries is instrumental in causing global warming.

Although there are definite problems with the Kyoto treaty, the advantages of this plan make it a positive step in the fight against global warming.

Which is it?

Pollution harms nature.

A. Report thesisB. Argument thesis

Which is it?

Pollution harms nature.

A. Report thesisB. Argument thesis

The idea that pollution is bad for the environment is an accepted idea. It doesn’t need to be proven. This thesis does allow for the writer to report on the ways it is bad for the environment.

Which is it?

Standards for increasing miles per gallon should be enacted in order to curb pollution, not industry regulation.

A. Report thesisB. Argument thesis

Which is it?

Standards for increasing miles per gallon should be enacted in order to curb pollution, not industry regulation.

A. Report thesisB. Argument thesisThis thesis suggests an action that people may disagree

about. There are many possible actions that could be taken. This essay will prove that this is the best way.

Which is it?

The use and sale of narcotics is the primary reason why gang violence has increased in some urban areas across the country.

A. Report thesisB. Argument thesis

Which is it?

The use and sale of narcotics is the primary reason why gang violence has increased in some urban areas across the country.

A. Report thesisB. Argument thesis

The key word here is primary. People will debate which reason is most important. This essay will defend the conclusion that illegal drug use is the most important.

Which is it?

Abuse of narcotics and other illicit substances has harmful effects on society.

A. Report thesisB. Argument thesis

Which is it?

Abuse of narcotics and other illicit substances has harmful effects on society.

A. Report thesisB. Argument thesis

The fact that drug abuse is bad for society is an accepted idea. It does not need to be proven. This thesis indicates that the writer will report on ways that illegal drug use

harms society.

Which is it?

The amount of money a candidate can raise for advertising is related to the success of the campaign.

A. Report thesisB. Argument thesis

Which is it?

The amount of money a candidate can raise for advertising is related to the success of the campaign.

A. Report thesisB. Argument thesis

Virtually anything can be “related.” This statement invites the reader to discuss the ways in which advertising impacts elections.

Which is it?

A successful campaign for Senate depends solely upon the money raised for purchasing television ads.

A. Report thesisB. Argument thesis

Which is it?

A successful campaign for Senate depends solely upon the money raised for purchasing television ads.

A. Report thesisB. Argument thesis

The key word here is “solely.” This essay will defend the conclusion that a candidate must be able to purchase television advertising.

Report paragraphs Argument paragraphs

have Topic Sentences that merely introduce the topic of the paragraph.

One cause of global warming is the deforestation of the rain forest.

Deforestation is one cause of global warming.

have Discussion Points that focus on a reason that supports the claim in the thesis.

Industrial countries encourage the deforestation which contributes to global warming.

Global warming is caused by the thoughtless deforestation encouraged by industrial countries.

Which is it?

Many states have banned text messaging while driving.

A. Topic SentenceB. Discussion Point

Which is it?

People can avoid being victimized by owning handguns.

A. Topic SentenceB. Discussion Point

In informal writing, topic sentences and discussion points may be implicit rather than explicit.

In formal discourse, topic sentences and discussion points are always explicit to ensure against confusion.

Report paragraphs are often developed as a series of facts.

Another influential band that rose out of the late 1970s New York City scene was The Talking Heads, whose bouncy pop tunes and absurdly subversive lyrics managed to capture different audiences in different ways. The band’s rhythm section, with Tina Weymouth on bass and Chris Frantz on drums, provided a catchy, upbeat movement that was poppy enough to appeal to fans of Blondie and other more mainstream groups, and yet at times ripping and roaring in such a way that spoke to fans of the blossoming punk scene. Moreover, front man David Byrne’s strangely snappy and nasal voice delivered altogether strange lyrics, sometimes simplistically touching and sometimes ironically naïve, as an unsettling complement to the incessant catchy rhythms. The Talking Heads often played just before or after much more typical punk groups, most notably of bands like the Ramones and the Misfits, and were able to keep the audiences moving despite their unique pop-art punk sound.

Argument paragraphs often follow the S-E-E pattern of development

The most influential band to rise out of the NYC music scene in the late 1970s, however, and one of the most important musical groups of all time, was the Ramones, whose super-fast brainless bop punk would change pop music forever by sweeping international audiences and inspiring an entire generation of disaffected youth to join together to form hardcore punk groups. (Discussion point) The international appeal of the Ramones was almost immediately clear after their initial performances at NYC’s CBGB. (Supporting Reason) According to a former assistant band manager, their meetings with founding members of The Clash and Sex Pistols at a London gig during their first year on tour was instrumental in bringing about excitement and awareness of punk on a global level (Orter 383). (Evidence) Without the Ramones, it is difficult to say with certainty that American punk would have become as international a phenomenon as it did, especially since no other band at the time was anywhere near as widespread in its acceptance. (Explanation) In fact, within a few years, the band was playing before audiences of thousands in Italy and the Soviet Union. On one tour in Italy, the tour bus was mobbed by excited fans, an experience that the group found to be extremely frightening (Orter 385). The international appeal was enough to cement punk into the global history of music, and even led to many groups starting their own similar projects. In California, the Dead Kennedys and Black Flag formed, both of which, according to critic and rock historian Max Cressler, would have been as “quite unlikely without the example of the Ramones” (136). In other words, the punk and new wave scenes that dominated so much of early 1980s music were direct descendants of the innovative (though arguably mindless) thrashing of the Ramones. The lasting effects of this international musical influence can be seen in a number of genres in countries across the globe.

Research-Based Arguments

take the process one step further than research based reports.

are like reports in that the writer chooses a topic and collects facts about that topic.

are unlike reports in that the writer uses the facts to form an opinion about the topic.

defend the opinion formed and stated by the writer.

Is it a report or an argument?

Guns on Campus Fox News

The most persuasive arguments often masquerade as reports.