1. Developing an Argument: From Beginning to End
This workshop will:
Identify the components of an ‘argument’
Suggest ‘types’ of argument that an assignment can be built around
Offer strategies to apply evidence and theory to your written work
Louise Livesey
Academic Skills Adviser
12/01/2019
Academic Skills Advice

2. Academic Skills Advice
Today’s Plan
What is an argument?
Types of arguments to construct
Using evidence to support your argument
Using theory in your writing
12/01/2019
Academic Skills Advice

3. Academic Skills Advice
1.What is an argument?
Argument: inferences and claims Claim: a point about something which makes a point about something else. A series of claims make up an argument ‘such and such is the case’ so ‘such and such is the case’ therefore ‘x’.
12/01/2019
Academic Skills Advice

4. 1.What is an argument? Argument: inferences and claims
Apply critical thinking to the claim.
you look at the possible meaning and significance of it
evaluate it by comparing it to other claims
make an informed decision
ask questions such as
‘is this claim telling us something significant?’
‘what else do we need to know in order to respond to this claim?’
12/01/2019
Academic Skills Advice

5. Academic Skills Advice
1.What is an argument?
Including President Obama, five out of the most recent seven US presidents have been left-handed.
Possible ?s:
What proportion of the US population is left-handed? 10% so there may be something significant about such a high proportion of recent left-handed presidents.
What about the presidents before the last seven? 3 out of 36, ie about 10%. So why are recent presidents so different?
If Barack Obama had lost the election in 2008, would that have meant that four of the most recent seven US presidents had been left-handed? No: his opponent was left-handed. If George W. Bush (right-handed) had lost, his opponent was also left-handed!
How many other countries have (had) left-handed leaders?
12/01/2019
Academic Skills Advice

6. Academic Skills Advice
1.What is an argument?
Argument: inferences and claims To find if a claim has significance, do research Including President Obama, five out of the most recent seven US presidents have been left-handed. So, we needed to ask and answer questions about the above claim to assess its possible meaning. Discovered, it does appear the evidence has significance.
12/01/2019
Academic Skills Advice

7. 1.What is an argument?
Argument: inferences and claims Next, we look for an explanation (why is this the case?) and then we look at the inference/s (what follows from the evidence and explanation).
Claim/evidence
Explanation/why
Inference/what follows
12/01/2019
Academic Skills Advice

8. 1.What is an argument? Argument: inferences and claims 12/01/2019
Academic Skills Advice

9. Academic Skills Advice
1.What is an argument?
inference [i.e. claim claim] x many = argument
Be aware…
claim claim is designed to persuade:
‘here is a claim, so this follows from this’
Whether agree or not, back to significance of claims and questioning them.
12/01/2019
Academic Skills Advice

10. Academic Skills Advice
1.What is an argument?
Derek Bentley did not shoot the gun so he should not have been hung.
Derek Bentley meant ‘give the gun to the policeman’ so he should not have been hung.
Click for answers
12/01/2019
Academic Skills Advice

11. Academic Skills Advice
2.Types of argument to construct
Agreeing and presenting reliable evidence to support the position taken.
Rejecting but again using reliable evidence to do this. (A counter-argument with each individual claim in the argument in question is ‘countered’ by another claim).
Conceding that an existing argument/point of view has merits, but needs to be qualified in certain respects, and stating what these are.
Proposing a new argument/point of view, or reformulating an existing one, so that the new version makes a better explanation for the situation under discussion.
Reconciling by bringing a new perspective to bear on the topic.
Connecting or synthesizing different ideas, so new approaches and arguments/points of view can be brought to bear on the subject.
12/01/2019
Academic Skills Advice

12. Graphic representation of argument
2.Types of argument to construct
Graphic representation of argument
Waitrose better
Agree
Convenience
Shorter queues
Range
Chocolate brands
Quality
Fresher bread
12/01/2019
Academic Skills Advice

13. 2.Types of argument to construct
TALKING POINT
Sainsbury's better
Reject
Cheaper
Basics cheaper: bread, butter, milk
Longer opening times
Open earlier and later during the week
Click for answers
12/01/2019
Academic Skills Advice

14. Activity 1: Workshops v Instant Action
2.Types of argument to construct
Activity 1: Workshops v Instant Action
Study Skills Workshops
Instant Action 1:2:1
Conceding
Can learn from students on different courses
Can only learn from advisor
Not enough personal attention
Advisor provides undivided attention to student
Have long time to work through specific problem
Short time to work through more than one problem
Have to wait for when scheduled
Can access help without waiting
Proposing new argument
Do not deliver study skills as students should have skills already
Reconciling
Make a group appointment for longer time with co-students
Connecting or synthesizing
Study skills could be delivered in subject sessions at appropriate times
Click for table answers
12/01/2019
Academic Skills Advice

15. Academic Skills Advice
3.Using evidence to support
your argument
Use examples…
Which highlight the most significant or far-reaching implications
To illustrate different aspects of your argument
From a range of sources, e.g. journal articles, books, and reports
To support general arguments.
Use empirical evidence, i.e. evidence collected via systematic and rigorous observation
Use maps, diagrams and numerical data (in appropriate assessments, i.e. not essays but reports and dissertations)
12/01/2019
Academic Skills Advice

16. Academic Skills Advice
4.Using theory in your writing
DO NOT PANIC
12/01/2019
Academic Skills Advice

17. Stand outside to see a theory’s strengths and weaknesses
2.Types of argument to construct
Competing theories are not equal – different theories appeal to different kinds of evidence, so different theories are ‘useful’ in different contexts.
Do not lump together good bits of different theories into one ‘super theory’ as they will contradict each other.
Stand outside to see a theory’s
strengths and weaknesses
12/01/2019
Academic Skills Advice

18. Academic Skills Advice
Analyse your own work –
be your own critic
12/01/2019
Academic Skills Advice

19. Academic Skills Advice
References
Clip art – spectacles/question Cottrell, S. (2013) The Study Skills Handbook. 4th Ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. dogfaceboy (2007) Slick flame stitch. [online] Available at: [Accessed ] Redman, P. (2001) Good Essay Writing. 2nd Ed. London: Sage Publications Ltd. The Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. (2014) Available at: [Accessed ] University of Surrey. (2014) Writing Skills. Guildford: University of Surrey. [online] Available at: [Accessed ] Van den Brink-Budgen, R. (2010) Critical Thinking for Students. 4th Ed. Oxford: How To Books Ltd.
12/01/2019
Academic Skills Advice

20. Academic Skills Advice Service
Where are we? Chesham Building B0.23. Give us a call or come speak to us Monday- Friday 9am-5pm (closing at 4pm Fridays).
Who am I? Louise, the dedicated workshop adviser.
Who can help me with study and writing skills? Lucy and Russell run Instant Study Skills Advice sessions every weekday and Writing Skills Clinics three times a week. You can also access self-help resources on our webpage.
Who can give me maths advice? Helen and Michael specialise in Maths support for students though clinics and pre-booked appointment.
How do I get in touch? Telephone:
12/01/2019
Academic Skills Advice

21. Academic Skills Advice
Any questions?
Produced by Louise Livesey May 2014
12/01/2019
Academic Skills Advice