Argument vs. Observation

To avoid buying low quality products, people read customer reviews.

To avoid buying low quality products, people read customer reviews To avoid buying low quality products, people read customer reviews. Customer reviews that elaborate on too many features of a product are often not authentic.

To avoid buying low quality products, people read customer reviews To avoid buying low quality products, people read customer reviews. Customer reviews that elaborate on too many features of a product are often not authentic. Paying people to write customer reviews of products should be illegal.

To avoid buying low quality products, people read customer reviews To avoid buying low quality products, people read customer reviews. Customer reviews that elaborate on too many features of a product are often not authentic. Paying people to write customer reviews of products should be illegal.

College athletes spend a lot of time at practice.

College athletes spend a lot of time at practice College athletes spend a lot of time at practice. College athletes should spend less time running and more time studying.

College athletes spend a lot of time at practice College athletes spend a lot of time at practice. College athletes should spend less time running and more time studying.

When individuals attempt to multitask, they sacrifice the quality of their performance for at least one if not all of their activities.

When individuals attempt to multitask, they sacrifice the quality of their performance for at least one if not all of their activities. Distracted drivers make careless decisions that sometimes prove to be fatal.

When individuals attempt to multitask, they sacrifice the quality of their performance for at least one if not all of their activities. Distracted drivers make careless decisions that sometimes prove to be fatal. Because distraction on the road can lead to fatal consequences, drivers should be strictly prohibited from using cell phones while operating motor vehicles.

When individuals attempt to multitask, they sacrifice the quality of their performance for at least one if not all of their activities. Distracted drivers make careless decisions that sometimes prove to be fatal. Because distraction on the road can lead to fatal consequences, drivers should be strictly prohibited from using cell phones while operating motor vehicles.

If the drinking age is lowered to 18, I would be able to buy alcohol without using a fake ID.

If the drinking age is lowered to 18, I would be able to buy alcohol without using a fake ID. Young adults between the ages of 18 and 21 should be allowed to consume alcohol in small amounts so that they can develop responsible drinking habits.

If the drinking age is lowered to 18, I would be able to buy alcohol without using a fake ID. Young adults between the ages of 18 and 21 should be allowed to consume alcohol in small amounts so that they can develop responsible drinking habits.

If music were free, I wouldn’t have to pay to listen to the music I love.

If music were free, I wouldn’t have to pay to listen to the music I love. If music were free, fewer artists would devote their lives to creating good music.

If music were free, I wouldn’t have to pay to listen to the music I love. If music were free, fewer artists would devote their lives to creating good music. Music fans should support their favorite artists so that they continue to produce quality music.

If music is free, I wouldn’t have to pay to listen to the music I love. If music is free, fewer artists would devote their lives to creating good music. Music fans should support their favorite artists so that they continue to produce quality music.

Evaluate the following thesis statements

In my paper, I am going to write about why gun control is bad. 

In my paper, I am going to write about why gun control is bad.

In my paper, I am going to write about why gun control is bad. If concealed carry is allowed on college campuses, more people will legally possess guns in the classroom.

In my paper, I am going to write about why gun control is bad. If concealed carry is allowed on college campuses, more people will legally possess guns in the classroom. Law abiding citizens should be allowed to carry concealed handguns on college campuses.  

Law abiding citizens should be allowed to carry concealed handguns on college campuses.

Law abiding citizens should be allowed to carry concealed handguns on college campuses.

Law abiding citizens should be allowed to carry concealed handguns on college campuses so that they can effectively defend themselves and others in the event of a shooting.

Law abiding citizens should be allowed to carry concealed handguns on college campuses so that they can effectively defend themselves and others in the event of a shooting. Although some regulations are necessary to prevent the wrong people from obtaining guns, law abiding citizens should be allowed to carry concealed handguns on college campuses so that they can effectively defend themselves and others in the event of a shooting.

Put your major claim in your major clause!!!

If the writer is focused on concealed carry, the following statement DOES NOT WORK: Although law abiding citizens should be allowed to carry concealed handguns on college campuses, some regulations are necessary to prevent the wrong people from obtaining guns.

If the writer is focused on concealed carry, the following statement DOES NOT WORK: Although law abiding citizens should be allowed to carry concealed handguns on college campuses, some regulations are necessary to prevent the wrong people from obtaining guns. This version DOES NOT WORK because the most important idea—“law abiding citizens should be allowed to carry concealed handguns on college campuses”—is placed in a subordinate clause.

The student’s original statement is much stronger because he places his major claim in his main clause: Although some regulations are necessary to prevent the wrong people from obtaining guns, law abiding citizens should be allowed to carry concealed handguns on college campuses so that they can effectively defend themselves and others in the event of a shooting.

Although some regulations are necessary to prevent the wrong people from obtaining guns, law abiding citizens should be allowed to carry concealed handguns on college campuses so that they can effectively defend themselves and others in the event of a shooting. —Benjamin Hester, ENGL 1301

Fetal alcohol syndrome is bad.

Fetal alcohol syndrome is bad. Experts estimate that half of children diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome will grow up in home environments lacking rich cognitive and emotional stimulation.

Fetal alcohol syndrome is bad. Experts estimate that half of children diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome will grow up in home environments lacking rich cognitive and emotional stimulation. Because half of all children diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome are likely to grow up in homes lacking good cognitive and emotional stimulation, the federal government should finance programs to supplement parental care for these children. —Adapted from Wenatchee Valley College’s Learning Commons

Because half of all children diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome are likely to grow up in homes lacking good cognitive and emotional stimulation, the federal government should finance programs to supplement parental care for these children. —Adapted from Wenatchee Valley College’s Learning Commons

Because half of all children diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome are likely to grow up in homes lacking good cognitive and emotional stimulation, the federal government should finance programs to supplement parental care for these children. —Adapted from Wenatchee Valley College’s Learning Commons

Companies need to take advantage of the marketing potential of the Internet, and web pages can provide both advertising and customer support.

Companies need to take advantage of the marketing potential of the Internet, and web pages can provide both advertising and customer support. Because the Internet is filled with tremendous marketing potential, companies should have web pages that offer both advertising and customer —Adapted from The University of Indiana Writing Center

If you agree with any opposing arguments, qualify your original thesis.

Working Thesis: Schools should require students to wear uniforms to prevent unnecessary distractions.

Working Thesis: Counterargument: Schools should require students to wear uniforms to prevent unnecessary distractions. Counterargument: Because asserting individuality and independence is a natural part of adolescence, requiring school uniforms for high school students could provoke unnecessary resistance to school authority.

Working Thesis: Counterargument: Schools should require students to wear uniforms to prevent unnecessary distractions. Counterargument: Because asserting individuality and independence is a natural part of adolescence, requiring school uniforms for high school students could provoke unnecessary resistance to school authority. Refined Thesis: By offering students a wide selection of uniform attire, schools can minimize unnecessary distractions in the classroom without preventing students from exercising their independence and expressing their individuality.

Working Thesis: College students who text in class should be expelled.

Working Thesis: Counterargument: College students who text in class should be expelled. Counterargument: If every student who texts in class is expelled, a substantial portion of the population will unfairly be denied access to a college education.

Working Thesis: Counterargument: College students who text in class should be expelled. Counterargument: If every student who texts in class is expelled, a substantial portion of the population will unfairly be denied access to a college education. Refined Thesis: Because texting in the classroom creates a distraction, students who repeatedly use their cellphones in class should be dropped from each individual course.

Thesis Strategy #1—Cause and Effect Purpose: to demonstrate a need for change. Because young adults overindulge in alcohol when they first come of age, eighteen year olds should be allowed to consume alcohol in limited amounts so that they can develop responsible drinking habits.

Thesis Strategy #2—The Greater and the Lesser. Purpose: to show how one argument outweighs another. Even though studying music won't directly prepare most people for work, public schools should offer musical instruction because it builds character and strengthens brain functions that can help students learn in virtually every other subject.

Although some people believe gun control is bad, background checks should be conducted before all sales, including those at gun shows, to reduce criminal offenses and to save lives.

Although some people believe gun control is bad, background checks should be conducted before all sales, including those at gun shows, to reduce criminal offenses and to save lives.

Although some people believe gun control is bad, background checks should be conducted before all sales, including those at gun shows, to reduce criminal offenses and to save lives. Although legal restraints on the purchase of firearms cannot eliminate crime, background checks should be conducted before all sales, including those at gun shows, to reduce criminal offenses and to save lives.

Law abiding citizens should be allowed to carry concealed handguns on college campuses.

Law abiding citizens should be allowed to carry concealed handguns on college campuses so that they can effectively defend themselves and others in the event of a shooting.

Law abiding citizens should be allowed to carry concealed handguns on college campuses so that they can effectively defend themselves and others in the event of a shooting. Although some regulations are necessary to prevent the wrong people from obtaining guns, law abiding citizens should be allowed to carry concealed handguns on college campuses so that they can effectively defend themselves and others in the event of a shooting.

Thesis Strategy #1—Cause and Effect Purpose: to demonstrate a need for change. Because young adults overindulge in alcohol when they first come of age, eighteen year olds should be allowed to consume alcohol in limited amounts so that they can develop responsible drinking habits.

Thesis Strategy #2—The Greater and the Lesser. Purpose: to show how one argument outweighs another. Even though studying music won't directly prepare most people for work, public schools should offer musical instruction because it builds character and strengthens brain functions that can help students learn in virtually every other subject.

Because young adults overindulge in alcohol when they first come of age, eighteen year olds should be allowed to consume alcohol in limited amounts so that they can develop responsible drinking habits. Even though studying music won't directly prepare most people for work, public schools should offer musical instruction because it builds character and strengthens brain functions that can help students learn in virtually every other subject.