Writing to persuade and convince others to agree with facts, share our values, and/or accept our conclusions. ENG 101: Professor Bailey-Kirby

Elements of Building a Good Argument Essay Establishing facts to support an argument. Clarifying relevant values for your audience (perspective). Prioritizing, editing, and/or sequencing the facts and values in importance to build the argument. Forming and stating conclusions. “Persuading" your audience that your conclusions are based upon the agreed-upon facts and shared values. Having the confidence to communicate your "persuasion" in writing.

The Argument Strategy Establish your credibility and position on the topic by presenting and addressing both sides of the issue in an unbiased and fair command of the topic as well as the research behind it even though your stance will be clear. Let your passion be demonstrated in the force of your argument rather than in the use of emotional terms or logical fallacies. Develop supporting evidence including factual knowledge, statistical evidence, and authoritative testimony. Anticipate the prejudices and counterclaims of your audience. Assume familiarity with basic concepts but define unfamiliar terms/concepts or state meanings that define your point of departure. Refer to experts who agree with your position to assist you in developing your argument and lend your argument authority.

Other Argument Essay Tips Focus on three main points to develop and establish flow from paragraph to paragraph. Each topic should be developed with a general statement of the position and an elaboration that references documents, source data, and past experiences as well as quotes sources to establish authority. Keep your voice active and stay focused on your point of view throughout the essay. Focus on logical arguments rather than emotional appeals. Don't lapse into summary in the development--wait for the conclusion to restate your position and reiterate the argument.

Support for Thesis & Argument The body of your essay presents supporting evidence and elaborates on the reasons you stated in your thesis. It should be a proof that you have researched and examined your topic and that your arguments are reasonable and reliable. In order to prove your thesis statement and dispel the opposing arguments, you need to: 1) state the facts of the case; 2) prove your thesis with arguments; and 3) disprove your opponent's arguments in three consecutive steps. Statement of facts is a non-argumentative presentation of details, summaries and narration concerning the issue. In this part of the body, you should present supporting evidence without stating your own point of view and trying to persuade the readers in it.

Support for Thesis & Argument Continued First, you should remind the readers of some events, provide vivid illustrations that will show the significance of the topic. Statement of facts should be clear, brief, and vivid. If you obscure the facts, you are defeating the purpose. Thus, delete irrelevant information and information which contributes little to the reader's understanding. Basically, you must show why your position concerning the facts should be accepted and believed while denying the truth on which the opposing argument is built. Be patient in thinking over the refutation. It is the most difficult stage that needs time, concentration and absorption. The proven way to hook readers' attention is to leave your strongest argument for last so that to leave them with your best thought.