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Constructing a Reasoned Argument

Constructing a Reasoned Argument. 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. Where do you start?. The Requirements Type of Presentation: speech or paper?

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Constructing a Reasoned Argument

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  1. Constructing a Reasoned Argument

  2. 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

  3. Where do you start? • The Requirements • Type 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!

  4. Finding a topic • Ask Yourself • What are my Passions? • What is going on around me? • Relevance – Would a reader care? • Controversial – Would anyone disagree? • Can I find information about it?

  5. For me…

  6. Assume NOTHING • Test your tentative topic • Is 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?

  7. Start to Explore • Write your topic at the top of the paper • Draw a vertical line down the paper • On one side, write down what you already know about the topic. • On the other side, write down what you don’t know about it • Turn the second column into research questions to pursue.

  8. Basic 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 debate • What are the arguments for AND against? • Find AUTHORITATIVE sources. • Who are the experts? • Where is the best information?

  9. Thinking 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 possible • Do more than internet research • Talk to the professor • Brainstorm on paper (WRITE IT OUT)

  10. Now what? • Figure out what you’re going to say BEFORE you start to draft. • More work up front means less work later: • Thesis sentences • Outlines (full sentence)

  11. Draft a Tentative Thesis • Start trying to write out your entire argument in a single sentence • Make a clear CLAIM about your topic. • State every point you’ll discuss • Be sure someone can argue with you • This is TENTATIVE! • It CAN and WILL change.

  12. Writing 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.

  13. Structure 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)

  14. ASK 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?

  15. Provable? • How does this work? • Support every idea with research • Make sure you CITE every outside source. • Evidence • Expert, unbiased sources. • Statistics, Examples, Illustrations

  16. 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.

  17. Test 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?

  18. Keep 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?

  19. Final tips… • GET SOME OBJECTIVE HELP • Try 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.

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