Constructing a Reasoned Argument argument.ppt argument.ppt

Here’s the Secret… How do I make a good argument? How do I analyze an argument? How can I get a good grade? LEARN TO ASK (GOOD) QUESTIONS How do I make a good argument? How do I analyze an argument? How can I get a good grade? LEARN TO ASK (GOOD) QUESTIONS

Where do you start? The Requirements Type of Presentation: speech or paper? What is the purpose of my presentation? To present a side (informative) To argue a side (persuasive) Make sure you know what is being asked of you and DO THAT! The Requirements Type of Presentation: speech or paper? What is the purpose of my presentation? To present a side (informative) To argue a side (persuasive) Make sure you know what is being asked of you and DO THAT!

Finding a topic Ask Yourself What are my Passions? What is going on around me? Relevance – Would a reader care? Controversial – Would anyone disagree? Can I find information about it? Ask Yourself What are my Passions? What is going on around me? Relevance – Would a reader care? Controversial – Would anyone disagree? Can I find information about it?

For me…

Assume NOTHING Test your tentative topic Is this topic appropriate? Does it fit the requirements? Is this topic workable? Is it too narrow or too broad? Will it fit within the time/page contraints? Is this topic really interesting? Do you really care enough to live with it? Will others be interested enough to read it? Test your tentative topic Is this topic appropriate? Does it fit the requirements? Is this topic workable? Is it too narrow or too broad? Will it fit within the time/page contraints? Is this topic really interesting? Do you really care enough to live with it? Will others be interested enough to read it?

Start to Explore Write your topic at the top of the paper Draw a vertical line down the paper On one side, write down what you already know about the topic. On the other side, write down what you don’t know about it Turn the second column into research questions to pursue. Write your topic at the top of the paper Draw a vertical line down the paper On one side, write down what you already know about the topic. On the other side, write down what you don’t know about it Turn the second column into research questions to pursue.

Basic Information Grasp the CONTEXT of the debate. What are the basic facts? What is the history of the dialogue? Find out ALL sides of the debate What are the arguments for AND against? Find AUTHORITATIVE sources. Who are the experts? Where is the best information? Grasp the CONTEXT of the debate. What are the basic facts? What is the history of the dialogue? Find out ALL sides of the debate What are the arguments for AND against? Find AUTHORITATIVE sources. Who are the experts? Where is the best information?

Thinking is hard work The more you think through the ideas to begin with, the less work you leave for yourself in the long run. Avoid the easy route, if possible Do more than internet research Talk to the professor Brainstorm on paper (WRITE IT OUT) The more you think through the ideas to begin with, the less work you leave for yourself in the long run. Avoid the easy route, if possible Do more than internet research Talk to the professor Brainstorm on paper (WRITE IT OUT)

Now what? Figure out what you’re going to say BEFORE you start to draft. More work up front means less work later: Thesis sentences Outlines (full sentence) Figure out what you’re going to say BEFORE you start to draft. More work up front means less work later: Thesis sentences Outlines (full sentence)

Draft a Tentative Thesis Start trying to write out your entire argument in a single sentence Make a clear CLAIM about your topic. State every point you’ll discuss Be sure someone can argue with you This is TENTATIVE! It CAN and WILL change. Start trying to write out your entire argument in a single sentence Make a clear CLAIM about your topic. State every point you’ll discuss Be sure someone can argue with you This is TENTATIVE! It CAN and WILL change.

Writing a Good Thesis BE objective. Don’t make it about yourself. Not “I believe that abortion is wrong” but “Abortion is wrong.” BE declarative. The thesis is NEVER a question. It is the ANSWER to a question. It is NOT the introduction. It’s your POINT. BE objective. Don’t make it about yourself. Not “I believe that abortion is wrong” but “Abortion is wrong.” BE declarative. The thesis is NEVER a question. It is the ANSWER to a question. It is NOT the introduction. It’s your POINT.

Structure your Argument Write an outline based on the thesis. What are the reasons for the claim in your thesis? (main points) What evidence do you have? (subpoints) Write an outline based on the thesis. What are the reasons for the claim in your thesis? (main points) What evidence do you have? (subpoints)

ASK QUESTIONS Have I included ALL the ideas from the thesis? Did I include any ideas NOT in the thesis? Are my points in the same order as they’re listed in the thesis? Is this a provable, logical argument? Have I included ALL the ideas from the thesis? Did I include any ideas NOT in the thesis? Are my points in the same order as they’re listed in the thesis? Is this a provable, logical argument?

Provable? How does this work? Support every idea with research Make sure you CITE every outside source. Evidence Expert, unbiased sources. Statistics, Examples, Illustrations How does this work? Support every idea with research Make sure you CITE every outside source. Evidence Expert, unbiased sources. Statistics, Examples, Illustrations

Logical? Evidence alone is not enough! Logic is about seeing and making good connections between ideas. It connects your evidence to your reasons. It helps you organize your ideas into a valid order. It helps you avoid the logical fallacies. Evidence alone is not enough! Logic is about seeing and making good connections between ideas. It connects your evidence to your reasons. It helps you organize your ideas into a valid order. It helps you avoid the logical fallacies.

Test your Argument Does your paper match your thesis? Is your argument logical? Did you avoid the logical fallacies? Are your points in an effective order? Is everything actually relevant? Do your quotes actually match your ideas? Do your ideas jump around, or are your paragraphs clearly focused? Does your paper match your thesis? Is your argument logical? Did you avoid the logical fallacies? Are your points in an effective order? Is everything actually relevant? Do your quotes actually match your ideas? Do your ideas jump around, or are your paragraphs clearly focused?

Keep Questioning Is my tone authoritative, but not rude? Did I avoid plagiarizing others’ work? Is my documentation (bibliography & citations) correctly formatted? Can I word my ideas more effectively? Is my tone authoritative, but not rude? Did I avoid plagiarizing others’ work? Is my documentation (bibliography & citations) correctly formatted? Can I word my ideas more effectively?

Final tips… GET SOME OBJECTIVE HELP Try to think about your ideas as if you were someone on the other side of the issue. Go to the Writing Center. Get a friend or classmate to read your paper. Read the paper out loud. GET SOME OBJECTIVE HELP Try to think about your ideas as if you were someone on the other side of the issue. Go to the Writing Center. Get a friend or classmate to read your paper. Read the paper out loud.