Understanding and making an argument

Theme: Russian Revolution

Monica Fernandes, Academic Skills Adviser

Understand an argument

• Critical thinking allows us to… – recognise good arguments even if we don’t agree with them – and poor arguments even if it supports our own points of view.

• Once you’ve thought and read critically, start to understand your position.

• An ‘argument’ in critical thinking means ‘to present reasons to support your position/ view’

• An argument should include – Position/ point of view – Attempt to persuade others to accept this point of view – Reasons why to support this point of view.

How to identify arguments in texts

• What is the point of creating this source?

• What is the main / general point the author is trying to make

• What sources did the author use?

• Am I convinced?

Critical thinking is a questioning attitude, rather than a set of skills

• There is a shift in dealing with knowledge in university, especially in History... – Don’t get caught in the trap of solely describing

work...

Remember

Describing information

Analysing and evaluating

information

Making an Argument

1. Identify your position

2. What are the main elements of this position – What evidence and examples do you have for these claims

– Have relevant information

3. It is necessary to include opposing positions – How will you refute these positions

4. How does each point relate to the next?

Finding your critical intervention

• Once the research problem is constructed…

• …and the literature has framed the background to the research

• Your intervention into the research needs to be identified through the literature review

• This can either be a question that investigates a gap in the research, or an argumentative position

What to do with Opposing Views…

• Summarise and respond to these views in your work

• Explain why you are not persuaded

• Acknowledge valuable points to create a synthesis

Remember to synthesis...

• Your assignments should combine ideas to create your piece of work

Plan your argument

• No matter how good your argument is, if it’s not said clearly or structured well, it loses its power.

Overall structure

Introduction/Preview (5-10%)

Body (80-90%)

Conclusion/Review (5-10%)

Introduction

Context

Preview

Position

Hook the reader

Tell them what you will write about

Tell them what you will be arguing

Conclusion

Argument

Review

Tell them what you are arguing

Summarise what you have discussed

Inappropriate ‘I’

• “Although Blackledge (2006) links Trotsky’s Marxism to historical materialism, I think he fails to do so convincingly.”

• “Although Blackledge (2006) links Trotsky’s Marxism to historical materialism, he fails to do so convincingly”

Objectivity vs Subjectivity

Not

‘In my opinion capitalism prevents action against climate change’

But

‘While Sachs (2008, p.51)suggests that governments have not taken strong action against climate change because of a lack of political will, Zizek (2010) argues that it is it structure of the economy that prevents further action.

Signposting

• Use ‘signposts’ to direct the reader through your argument

• Signposts can be used to display:

• Changes of direction in the argument

• Comparison, contrast and critique

• Cause and effect

• The use of examples

• Your own views

Some signposting words...

Adding on vs. Developing

‘This evidence suggests…’ ‘These examples indicate…’ ‘Similarly…’ ‘Though these studies are…’

‘Also…’ ‘Another study that…’ ‘Another example of…’

as opposed to…

Summary

• Always question what you know and how it is known

• Know what you are arguing before you commence writing

• Always plan your argument

• Remember to acknowledge, and refute opposing perspectives

• Always link your ideas together

For more help:

• Contact: monica.fernandes@brunel.ac.uk

• Or attend a consultation time either on Monday 11:00-12:00 or Wednesday 14:00-15:00 at MJ 234