Writing the Argument Paper

Creating a Frame for your Argument..

At the core of an argument is an issue, which is a problem, disagreement, concern or conflict in which people hold different points of view. Most issue questions begin with: what why, when, where, how, who, could, or should.

Should the U.S. abandon traditional print sources for online news? Should the U.S. ban all business incentives? Who benefits from hybrid vehicles?

The Handout: What is an Argument

Organizing Your Researched-Paper

Title: Suggests the thesis (no underlining, no quotes) Introduction Thesis claim Body Paragraphs: M-E-A-L format Main Point: Topic Sentence Context: Lead up to evidence Evidence: Facts, Statistics, Expert Opinion, Examples, etc. Analysis: Explain HOW each source (quote, paraphrase, summary) supports the Main point (a reason that supports the thesis) Linking sentence: The last sentence that transitions to the next body paragraph. Opposing Point of View(s) Conclusion Works Cited Page/Annotated Bibliography

Before you begin: Think about your Purpose and Audience

A well written essay should have a purpose. Generally your papers have the purpose of persuading your audience/reader. As you plan your draft, ask yourself two critical questions: What is my rhetorical purpose? Who is my audience? Consider your audience/readers. The words you choose, the details and examples you include, your style, and attitude depends on the audience. Do not assume that the reader (students and instructor) is an expert on your topic. Keep this in mind before writing your draft: What does my audience know or not know about my topic? Will I need to define terms or not define terms? Do I need relevant details to make them understand? What is the education, background, and experience of my audience? Key: Do not assume your reader knows everything you do.

Writing a Good Title

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Write a straightforward, descriptive title: Gun Control: Who Does it Benefit? Ask a question that your essay answers: Will Legalizing Abortion Help Teens?

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Avoid broad, vague titles: Biotechnology

Do not underline, enclose in quotation marks and/or format in larger and bold font.

Writing a Good Introduction

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Open with a strategy that will naturally lead to your thesis statement and hooks the reader (ask a question, begin with facts, or anecdote. Provide any background material your reader may need to understand the topic and issue. Keep the length short. One paragraph is sufficient: six to eight sentences (150 words).

Mistakes to Avoid: Do not make an announcement, dont begin with empty phrases that do not lead to the thesis statement, and do not use broad statements such as In the beginning, or Since the beginning of dawn.

What is a Thesis Statement?

Thesis Defined: TBHpgs.

Thesis Statements to Avoid..

A thesis statement is the central claim that the author promises to defend with relevant reasons and evidence. A thesis statement is the answer to the narrow issue question/research question. Your paper will develop and prove with relevant reasons. A thesis is a perspective or interpretation of a narrowed issue (question).

Avoid the word because.statement of fact. Avoid the listdont give away your argument. Avoid the announcementIn this paper. Avoid the vague, abstract: bad, good Avoid the broad: Global, Health Plan Avoid the narrow: Avoid too (2+ topics): negative and positive affects of hybrid cars. Avoid the soft thesis: there is no argument, nothing to prove, it is merely an opinion.

Diagram of the Introduction

Body Paragraphs: The M-E-A-L

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M-ain idea. Topic sentence that states the main point and includes a claim that links it to the thesis/claim.
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Context: Lead up to the evidence with a sentence that prepares the reader for the source.

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E-vidence. Includes sources: paraphrase, summary, or direct quotations. Limit this to one-to-two per paragraph. A-nalysis. This is where you explain how the source supports the main idea of the paragraph and the thesis statement. [Tag lines]. L-ead Out. This is your concluding sentence that transitions to the next point.

Structure of a Body Paragraph

Today, Americans are too self-centered. Even our families

do not matter as much anymore as they once did. In fact,

evidence shows that most American families no longer eat together anymore. James Gleick says, We are consumers-onthe-run and the very notion of the family meal as a sit-down occasion is vanishing (148). Gleicks comments show how the average family is just too busy to think of the importance of the family. However, for this reason, Americans are too self-centered

and the family meal unfortunately has become less valued.

Support: Sources
Acceptable Sources.

Basic Criteria for Evaluating Sources

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Evidence consists of facts, statistics, and expert opinion. Sources acceptable for academic papers are: Secondary sources: report or comment on primary sources. These are journal articles, books, newspaper articles, articles from data bases. Primary sources: letters, diaries, speeches, original research, interviews, surveys.

Authority: Author? Accuracy: Reliable? Objectivity: Bias? Currency: Date? Coverage: Topics?

Diagram of a Body Paragraph

Acknowledge the Opposing View in an Argument Paper

Conclusion
Begin with a suitable transition that signals the essay has completed its purpose and restate your thesis statement. No-- In conclusion. 2. Next summarize each of the reasons that support your thesis statement. 3. Re-emphasize the importance of your thesis statement. 4. Keep the length to 150 wordsfive to eight sentences.
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What to avoid in your conclusion:

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Do not use transitions: To sum up, In conclusion. These are trite and overused. Do not introduce new information: additional points or new quotes.

Rudolf Flesch Offers this Advice for Writing Conclusions

Rudolf Flesch also offers a few suggestions for improving the bad ending to a piece of writing. He offers the following advice, a good ending should echo the main theme, just as a good opening should sound it in advance (54). This means that the conclusion should begin with the restatement of the thesis statement. He ends with In other words, a good ending ties everything together (54). The conclusion should summarize the main points used in the paper, with each reason having a one to two sentence summary. The last sentence should remind the reader why this essays argument is important.

Works Cited
Flesch, Rudolf. The Art of Readable Writing. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1949. 46-58. Print. Hacker, Diana and Nancy Sommers. The Bedford Handbook. 9th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2012. Print.