Designing Your Argument

Designing Your Argument

• 1.
  Arguments should havecertain elements By Isabel DeFeo at Frederick Community College Copyright ©2011
• 2.
  In an argumentessay, you make a claim and then go about proving it through Logic Research Examples
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  When trying topersuade 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 anorganizational pattern Title Introduction Body Main points Supporting Points Likely objections Refutation Conclusion
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  Introduces topic Hooksreader Be bold with your title Use an image Use a phrase from your paper or a quote Ask a question
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  At the sametime 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 aquestion 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 themost 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 thetopic, 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 credibilityBuilds a more convincing argument
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  In various placeswithin the essay With each main point you make After you have finished with your main points
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  Think about youraudience Admit when an objection might be valid Avoid rude or derogatory language Remain respectful and tactful
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  To back upyour 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 pointsLeaves a final thought Tells the reader what you want calls to action changes opinion warms
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