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?
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.