Designing Your Argument

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Arguments should have certain elements By Isabel DeFeo at Frederick Community College Copyright ©2011

Transcript of Designing Your Argument

Page 1: Designing Your Argument

Arguments should have certain elements

By Isabel DeFeo at Frederick Community CollegeCopyright ©2011

Page 2: Designing Your Argument

In an argument essay, you make a claim and then go about proving it through

Logic Research Examples

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When trying to persuade someone, an author should

Show the audience how he arrived at his opinion

Offer a clear explanation for each point he makes

Show that he is knowledgeable and can be trusted

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Arguments follow an organizational pattern

Title Introduction Body

Main points Supporting Points

Likely objections Refutation

Conclusion

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Introduces topic Hooks reader

Be bold with your titleUse an imageUse a phrase from

your paper or a quote

Ask a question

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At the same time you are hooking your reader, your introduction should also

Introduce your topic and your stance

Offer the road map for your paper

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Remember? Ask a question Use a few well-

chosen words Present a bold,

challenging statement (shocker)

Use a teaser lead Incorporate a

quote

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It is the most important sentence of the entire paper. Why?

Offers main idea Offers direction

(skeleton) Makes a claim

that must be proven

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Depends on the topic, but it should

Build on claim in introduction

Follow pattern set forth in thesis and introduction

Make audience familiar with topic and the issues at hand

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General to specific (or vice versa)

Most important to least important or vice versa)

Weakest claim to strongest claim (or vice versa)

Side by side comparison

Block comparison

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Builds your credibility

Builds a more convincing argument

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In various places within the essay

With each main point you make

After you have finished with your main points

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Think about your audience

Admit when an objection might be valid

Avoid rude or derogatory language

Remain respectful and tactful

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To back up your claims

To show knowledge

What should I look for? Find facts and

statistics that support each point you make (logos)

Find real life examples that illustrate your point (pathos)

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Supports your points

Leaves a final thought

Tells the reader what you wantcalls to actionchanges opinionwarms

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