1. Forming coherent arguments
Writing Hacks
Dr Tim Worth
Southampton University Writing Centre
@timworth89

2. Session structure Critical thinking
Research questions and thesis statements
Forming information into arguments

3. Arguments
Disagreement – disagreeing on a point of view with no evidence or reason
“You shouldn’t eat that sandwich because I don’t like it”
Argument – persuading the reader towards a particular point of view by the use of reason
“You shouldn’t eat that sandwich because it’s 3 months out of date and is covered in fungi”

4. Argument or not? The study of history is irrelevant to the modern day
The high prevalence of lung cancer amongst smokers shows that cigarettes are dangerous
Global warming is a myth only used by scaremongers

5. What makes a good argument?
An identifiable position
Consistent persuasion towards that position
Evidence to support the position

6. Refining Reverse Outlining
Allows you to ensure that your paragraphs follow a clear structure
Read back through your work and summarize each paragraph in one or two words, e.g. Introduction, economic factors, limitations in methodology etc.
If you can’t summarize a paragraph in one or two words, it may be that the paragraph is not sufficiently focused

7. Forming PhD arguments The Thesis Statement Research Questions
For the thesis
For each chapter
Leads to….
The Thesis Statement

8. From my thesis…
Thesis title: Transatlantic Scotophobia: Nation, empire and anti-Scottish sentiment in England and America, Research Question: What does Scotophobia reveal about national identity in Britain and America during the American Revolution? Thesis statement: Transatlantic Scotophobia allowed Americans and their English supporters to bond through a shared English or Anglo-American identity at the outbreak of war, with the Scots as an enemy and an ‘Other’.

9. Activity
Create a research question and (hypothetical) thesis statement for your PhD

10. What style of plan works for you?

11. Activity
Sort through the batch of information and put together an argument for your topic.
Points to bear in mind:
What is your thesis statement?
What side of the argument does each piece of evidence support?
Can different points be linked together under common themes?
What are your most important arguments?
What are the counter-arguments to the points made?

12. Create a plan for your PhD thesis
Activity
Create a plan for your PhD thesis
Create draft research questions and thesis statements for individual topics and chapters
Remember: these should all feed back into the main thesis statement

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