ARGUMENTATION
Making a claim
What is an argument? In academic writing, an argument is usually a main idea,
often called a “claim” or “thesis statement,” backed up with evidence that
supports the idea. In the majority of college papers, you will need to make some
sort of claim and use evidence to support it, and your ability to do this well will
separate your papers from those of students who see assignments as mere
accumulations of fact and detail
When beginning to write a paper, ask yourself, “What is my point?”
Instructors are usually looking for two things:
1. Proof that you understand the material
2. A demonstration of your ability to use or apply the material in ways that
go beyond what you have read or heard.
This second part can be done in many ways: you can critique the material, apply
it to something else, or even just explain it in a different way. In order to
succeed at this second step, though, you must have a particular point to argue.
Evidence
Do not stop with having a point. You have to back up your point with evidence.
The strength of your evidence, and your use of it, can make or break your
argument.
Every field has slightly different requirements for acceptable evidence, so
familiarize yourself with some arguments from within that field instead of just
applying whatever evidence you like best. Pay attention to your textbooks and
your instructor’s lectures. What types of argument and evidence are they using?
Be consistent in terms of evidence presentation and engage useful in critical
reading as it is the first step it writing good sound arguments.
Note : For further reading please do a research using the references given at the
end of the write up.
THESIS STATEMENT / CENTRAL IDEA
It is a statement that summarizes your whole essay and its main content which
positions your stand on a discussed topic. It is just one or three sentences long
and appears at the end of your introduction. A thesis statement is said to be the
answer to your research question given.
Thesis Writing Example
Step 1: Formulating a question
What are the effects of WhatsApp on written Discourse?
Step 2: find an answer and take a position.
WhatsApp as a social network proliferates the mistakes in language use.
Step 3: Support your answer with reasoning and evidence
WhatsApp as a social network proliferates the mistakes in language use,
because a lot of people use non-standard English in their written
communication hence reducing the standard of grammar.
INTRODUCTION
WhatsApp as a social network is a form of communication being used by people
in different settings such as social gatherings, work places, home etc Mendez-
Vilaz, (2011). The paper argues that WhatsApp as a social network proliferates
the mistakes in language use, because a lot of people use non-standard English in
their written communication hence reducing the standard of grammar. Therefore
it is in the interest of the researcher to investigate the effects of WhatsApp as a
social network on written discourse.
Works cited
Anson, Chris M., and Robert A. Schwegler. The Longman Handbook for
Writers and Readers. 6th ed. New York: Longman, 2010.
Booth, Wayne C., Gregory G. Colomb, Joseph M. Williams, Joseph Bizup, and
William T. FitzGerald. The Craft of Research. 4th ed. Chicago: University of
Chicago Press, 2016.
Ede, Lisa. Work in Progress. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1989.
Gage, John T. The Shape of Reason: Argumentative Writing in College. 4th ed.
New York: Longman, 2005.
Lunsford, Andrea, and John Ruszkiewicz. Everything’s an Argument. 7th ed.
Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2016.
Rosen, Leonard J., and Laurence Behrens. The Allyn & Bacon Handbook. 5th
ed. New York: Longman, 2003.
