Writing Effective Arguments

1. Key Elements Writing Effective Arguments

2. The Opening Paragraph • A lead statement to capture the reader’s interest, an invitation to read on. • A focused, limited thesis statement • A scope statement—sometimes part of the thesis– that introduces key words or ideas that you will develop later in the essay

3. A Good Thesis • Introduces the key ideas • Limits the essay • Introduces key ideas or words • States your position on the topic • Outlines the structure of the essay to come • Is direct • Not—In this essay, I will discuss why asphalt is a better choice than concrete on bridges. • Better– Asphalt is better than concrete on bridges because it does not ice over as much, it expands more easily, and . . . .

4. Aristotle’s Elements of Effective Rhetoric (both Written and Spoken) • Ethos—presenting yourself as a writer who is fair, sees both sides, and is temperate in your claims • Logos—using facts, logic, evidence, statistics, analogies, and credible authorities to convince the reader • Pathos—Showing a strong commitment to your position (Note: Pathos must be tempered; If your essay relies excessively on emotional appeals, you are writing propaganda, not an argument—or, perhaps, you are running for office.)

5. Effective Logic • Avoid logical fallacies (Most rhetorics have a review of common fallacies.) • Sufficient—have sufficient logic to convince the reader. Too few supporting ideas may lead you to a hasty generalization. • Relevant—have examples, evidence, and quotes from authorities that are applicable to the topic. • Acceptable—Use logic and evidence that a fair-minded, reasonable reader would accept.

6. Effective Elements of the Body of the Essay • Unity—each paragraph, sentence, and idea must relate clearly to the thesis topic • Coherence—paragraphs, sentences, and ideas must be connected to each other is some logical pattern • Development—there must be sufficient logic, evidence, statistics, and quotes from authorities to convince the reader • Structure—organize ideas and paragraphs in such a way that the reader sees the structure as effective and logical

7. Techniques for Coherence • Repeated key words or ideas—Your thesis and opening paragraph should contain words and ideas that the readers sees must be developed in the body of the essay. • Transition words—The simplest are words such as “first, second, next, also, in addition, finally.” Other words may be more effective: “consequently, however, therefore, in spite of that, rather.” • Parallelism—Similar ideas can be phrased in similar grammatical structures.

8. Using Parallelism(John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Speech) “Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us. Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and control of arms . . . . Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors. . . . Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah—to ‘undo the heavy burdens . . . And let the oppressed go free.’”

9. Closing Paragraphs • Do one or more of the following— • Have a sense of closing • Repeat key ideas in the thesis • Emphasize a key argument from your essay • Do Not • Introduce new ideas • Simply quit because you have reached the assigned length • Change your perspective

10. Before You Hand the Essay in • Get feedback from others on your essay • Revise for effectiveness • Proofread to eliminate mechanical errors such as incorrect spelling and punctuation (Spellcheckers may tell you if a word is correctly spelled, but not if it is the correct word. Example: every semester I get papers that use the word “defiantly” when the intended word is “definitely.”) • Use a dictionary—make certain the words you use are apt and correct