Strategies for Effective Argument WSAT Preparation

Responding to the Prompt Read and follow the instructions. Read and follow the instructions. Choose the prompt carefully. It should be a topic you can write about using your personal experience and general knowledge, but you should also think of how it affects others. Choose the prompt carefully. It should be a topic you can write about using your personal experience and general knowledge, but you should also think of how it affects others. Remember that the experience of one person is important but may not be typical and should not be used to generalize for everyone at all times. Remember that the experience of one person is important but may not be typical and should not be used to generalize for everyone at all times.

Thesis Statements Use invention techniques to come up with ideas and examples. Jot down notes. Use invention techniques to come up with ideas and examples. Jot down notes. Formulate a thesis (a claim). Make sure your thesis is narrow enough to explore thoroughly in a short essay. Write your thesis at the top of your essay (you can always change or remove it) to remind yourself of what to focus on. Everything in your essay should support that thesis. Formulate a thesis (a claim). Make sure your thesis is narrow enough to explore thoroughly in a short essay. Write your thesis at the top of your essay (you can always change or remove it) to remind yourself of what to focus on. Everything in your essay should support that thesis.

Presentation of Self Remember to present yourself in accordance with Aristotle’s criteria of a “good person speaking well.” Be strong but do not attack your opponents. Do not use insults or make derogatory remarks. Remember to present yourself in accordance with Aristotle’s criteria of a “good person speaking well.” Be strong but do not attack your opponents. Do not use insults or make derogatory remarks.

Audience Awareness Think about your real audience (English teachers). Pay attention to any suggestion that you also pretend that you are writing for another audience, such as your peers in a class or a public figure. Think about your real audience (English teachers). Pay attention to any suggestion that you also pretend that you are writing for another audience, such as your peers in a class or a public figure. Give sufficient information and explanations; anticipate and answer readers’ questions. Don’t make claims you can only assert but cannot support (“Everybody knows,” “It has been proven”). Give sufficient information and explanations; anticipate and answer readers’ questions. Don’t make claims you can only assert but cannot support (“Everybody knows,” “It has been proven”).

Focus, Coherence, and Evidence Go over each paragraph to make sure you go beyond general statements and provide support (examples, reasons, discussion) for each point you make. Go over each paragraph to make sure you go beyond general statements and provide support (examples, reasons, discussion) for each point you make. Check to make sure your sentences lead logically from one to another. Use transitions. Do not go off in different directions and then return to the same points. Remember that these essays are read quickly and your goal is communicate clearly. Check to make sure your sentences lead logically from one to another. Use transitions. Do not go off in different directions and then return to the same points. Remember that these essays are read quickly and your goal is communicate clearly.

Opposing View(s) Many prompts will present you with at least two views of a topic. You are NOT required to address the opposing point of view in your essay, point out problems in opponents’ arguments, or offer a refutation. Many prompts will present you with at least two views of a topic. You are NOT required to address the opposing point of view in your essay, point out problems in opponents’ arguments, or offer a refutation. If you do, however, be careful to make your point clear and not seem to contradict yourself. For example, label the other view with something like “my opponent contends that….” You can label your view with “I would argue that…” or “I think….” If you do, however, be careful to make your point clear and not seem to contradict yourself. For example, label the other view with something like “my opponent contends that….” You can label your view with “I would argue that…” or “I think….”

Proofread and Edit Go over sentences to make sure they are clear, complete, and punctuated correctly. Grammar check is helpful but will not do all of the work for you. Go over sentences to make sure they are clear, complete, and punctuated correctly. Grammar check is helpful but will not do all of the work for you. Consult a thesaurus along with a dictionary to make sure you are using words correctly. Do not just take MSWord’s suggestions without thinking about them or looking words up. Consult a thesaurus along with a dictionary to make sure you are using words correctly. Do not just take MSWord’s suggestions without thinking about them or looking words up. Choose language that is appropriate for a college essay. Choose language that is appropriate for a college essay.