Chapter 33: Writing an Argumentative Essay

Writing Clearly (pp ) Two people benefit from clear writing: –The reader will be able to follow your argument with ease. –You, the writer, will be more likely to see and fix weak points in your arguments.

Getting Started (pp ) Articulate the structure of your essay –State your thesis and subordinate theses. –Develop arguments to support your main and subordinate theses. –Conclude by restating your main and subordinate theses. Choosing and limiting your thesis is the most difficult and important element of writing an argumentative essay. –A narrow thesis is easier to defend than a broad thesis.

The Body of the Essay (pp ) The body consists of arguments supporting your subordinate theses and, thereby, your main thesis. –Use sound deductive arguments whenever possible. –If you can’t construct sound deductive arguments with premises your reader will accept as true or probably true, construct strong inductive arguments.

The Body of the Essay (pp ) –Ask: Are the premises of your argument true? Do the premises, if true, provide reasons for granting that the conclusion is true? Will your reader recognize the truth of the premises? –What is required to show that your thesis is true? Do you need universal premises, or will particular premises do?

The Body of the Essay (pp ) Transitional narrative –Transitional narrative moves you smoothly from one argument to the next. –Guideposts: When moving from the defense of one subordinate thesis to the defense of another, guideposts tell your reader where you’ve been and where you’re going. Guideposts make your reader’s task easier. Guideposts increase the clarity of your essay.

Keep the Audience in Mind (pp ) Keep it simple –Vocabulary must be appropriate for your audience. –When in doubt, go for simple terms, unless a more sophisticated word is needed to say precisely what you want to say. –Short sentences are generally better than long sentences. –Avoid sexist, racist, and any other language that could offend your audience. –Avoid stereotypes.

Keep the Audience in Mind (pp ) Capture Your Audience’s Interest –Sometimes you will need an opening paragraph showing: that your thesis is significant. that you are familiar with the issues your paper addresses, for example, that you are familiar with the principal positions taken on an issue. –If your thesis is controversial, state it modestly.

Keep the Audience in Mind (pp ) Know your topic thoroughly –You will need to know the alternative positions on your topic. –If your thesis is controversial, your arguments need to be very tight. –You will need to follow the argument “down” to premises your opponent will grant. If there is no point of agreement, you cannot convince your reader that your thesis is true. –Beware of “common knowledge.”

Keep the Audience in Mind (pp ) Objections and Replies –You will strengthen your argument if you can propose objections to your thesis and reply to those objections. Keep focused –Be willing to say that topics tangential to your essay are “beyond the scope of the present paper.”

And Revise (pp ) Plan to revise your paper at least three times –Check spelling and grammar. –Tighten your arguments whenever possible. –Place some time between revisions: You will see things that you wouldn’t see if the essay is fresh in your mind. –Take the position of your opponent seriously: Strengthen the objections and your replies if possible. –Have a friend look over the paper and raise objections.