Developing an Argument: From Beginning to End This workshop will: Identify the components of an ‘argument’ Suggest ‘types’ of argument that an assignment can be built around Offer strategies to apply evidence and theory to your written work Louise Livesey Academic Skills Adviser 12/01/2019 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice Today’s Plan What is an argument? Types of arguments to construct Using evidence to support your argument Using theory in your writing 12/01/2019 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice 1.What is an argument? Argument: inferences and claims Claim: a point about something which makes a point about something else. A series of claims make up an argument ‘such and such is the case’ so ‘such and such is the case’ therefore ‘x’. 12/01/2019 Academic Skills Advice

1.What is an argument? Argument: inferences and claims Apply critical thinking to the claim. you look at the possible meaning and significance of it evaluate it by comparing it to other claims make an informed decision ask questions such as ‘is this claim telling us something significant?’ ‘what else do we need to know in order to respond to this claim?’ 12/01/2019 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice 1.What is an argument? Including President Obama, five out of the most recent seven US presidents have been left-handed. Possible ?s: What proportion of the US population is left-handed? 10% so there may be something significant about such a high proportion of recent left-handed presidents. What about the presidents before the last seven? 3 out of 36, ie about 10%. So why are recent presidents so different? If Barack Obama had lost the election in 2008, would that have meant that four of the most recent seven US presidents had been left-handed? No: his opponent was left-handed. If George W. Bush (right-handed) had lost, his opponent was also left-handed! How many other countries have (had) left-handed leaders? 12/01/2019 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice 1.What is an argument? Argument: inferences and claims To find if a claim has significance, do research Including President Obama, five out of the most recent seven US presidents have been left-handed. So, we needed to ask and answer questions about the above claim to assess its possible meaning. Discovered, it does appear the evidence has significance. 12/01/2019 Academic Skills Advice

1.What is an argument? Argument: inferences and claims Next, we look for an explanation (why is this the case?) and then we look at the inference/s (what follows from the evidence and explanation). Claim/evidence Explanation/why Inference/what follows 12/01/2019 Academic Skills Advice

1.What is an argument? Argument: inferences and claims 12/01/2019 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice 1.What is an argument? inference [i.e. claim claim] x many = argument Be aware… claim claim is designed to persuade: ‘here is a claim, so this follows from this’ Whether agree or not, back to significance of claims and questioning them. 12/01/2019 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice 1.What is an argument? Derek Bentley did not shoot the gun so he should not have been hung. Derek Bentley meant ‘give the gun to the policeman’ so he should not have been hung. Click for answers 12/01/2019 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice 2.Types of argument to construct Agreeing and presenting reliable evidence to support the position taken. Rejecting but again using reliable evidence to do this. (A counter-argument with each individual claim in the argument in question is ‘countered’ by another claim). Conceding that an existing argument/point of view has merits, but needs to be qualified in certain respects, and stating what these are. Proposing a new argument/point of view, or reformulating an existing one, so that the new version makes a better explanation for the situation under discussion. Reconciling by bringing a new perspective to bear on the topic. Connecting or synthesizing different ideas, so new approaches and arguments/points of view can be brought to bear on the subject. 12/01/2019 Academic Skills Advice

Graphic representation of argument 2.Types of argument to construct Graphic representation of argument Waitrose better Agree Convenience Shorter queues Range Chocolate brands Quality Fresher bread 12/01/2019 Academic Skills Advice

2.Types of argument to construct TALKING POINT Sainsbury's better Reject Cheaper Basics cheaper: bread, butter, milk Longer opening times Open earlier and later during the week Click for answers 12/01/2019 Academic Skills Advice

Activity 1: Workshops v Instant Action 2.Types of argument to construct Activity 1: Workshops v Instant Action   Study Skills Workshops Instant Action 1:2:1 Conceding Can learn from students on different courses Can only learn from advisor Not enough personal attention Advisor provides undivided attention to student Have long time to work through specific problem Short time to work through more than one problem Have to wait for when scheduled Can access help without waiting Proposing new argument Do not deliver study skills as students should have skills already Reconciling Make a group appointment for longer time with co-students Connecting or synthesizing Study skills could be delivered in subject sessions at appropriate times Click for table answers 12/01/2019 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice 3.Using evidence to support your argument Use examples… Which highlight the most significant or far-reaching implications To illustrate different aspects of your argument From a range of sources, e.g. journal articles, books, and reports To support general arguments. Use empirical evidence, i.e. evidence collected via systematic and rigorous observation Use maps, diagrams and numerical data (in appropriate assessments, i.e. not essays but reports and dissertations) 12/01/2019 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice 4.Using theory in your writing DO NOT PANIC 12/01/2019 Academic Skills Advice

Stand outside to see a theory’s strengths and weaknesses 2.Types of argument to construct Competing theories are not equal – different theories appeal to different kinds of evidence, so different theories are ‘useful’ in different contexts. Do not lump together good bits of different theories into one ‘super theory’ as they will contradict each other. Stand outside to see a theory’s strengths and weaknesses 12/01/2019 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice Analyse your own work – be your own critic 12/01/2019 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice References Clip art – spectacles/question Cottrell, S. (2013) The Study Skills Handbook. 4th Ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. dogfaceboy (2007) Slick flame stitch. [online] Available at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dogfaceboy/377499363/ [Accessed 21.7.2014] Redman, P. (2001) Good Essay Writing. 2nd Ed. London: Sage Publications Ltd. The Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. (2014) Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre_Bourdieu#Bourdieu.27s_theory_of_class_distinction [Accessed 21.7.2014] University of Surrey. (2014) Writing Skills. Guildford: University of Surrey. [online] Available at: http://libweb.surrey.ac.uk/library/skills/writing%20Skills%20Leicester/page_01.htm [Accessed 6.3.2014] Van den Brink-Budgen, R. (2010) Critical Thinking for Students. 4th Ed. Oxford: How To Books Ltd. 12/01/2019 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice Service Where are we? Chesham Building B0.23. Give us a call or come speak to us Monday- Friday 9am-5pm (closing at 4pm Fridays). Who am I? Louise, the dedicated workshop adviser. Who can help me with study and writing skills? Lucy and Russell run Instant Study Skills Advice sessions every weekday and Writing Skills Clinics three times a week. You can also access self-help resources on our webpage. Who can give me maths advice? Helen and Michael specialise in Maths support for students though clinics and pre-booked appointment. How do I get in touch? Email: academic-skills@brad.ac.uk Telephone: 01274 236849 http://www.brad.ac.uk/academic-skills/induction/ 12/01/2019 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice Any questions? Produced by Louise Livesey May 2014 12/01/2019 Academic Skills Advice