Mastering Argumentative Writing: Key Elements and Tips for Effective Essays

1. Argumentive Writing Rubina Parveen MSc Nursing. Year II, Semester I Subject: Academic Writing II Faculty: Sir Sardar Bux April 03, 2010 Argumentive Writing

2. Argumentive Writing

3. Objectives At the end of this presentation learners will be able to: • Define Argumentive Writing. • Enlist and describe the elements of the Argumentive Writing. • Determine the Principles of Argumentive Writing. • Explain the Features of Argumentation. • Discuss the What types of things do we argue about? • Explore the steps of Argumentive Writing. Argumentive Writing

4. Argumentative Essay • Is like a persuasive essay • Should present pros and cons of the issue • Should contain an argument • Should contain evidence or support for the issue (facts, statistics, anecdotal evidence) • Should concern a manageable topic Derived from the Bogazici University Writing Lab Argumentive Writing

5. Checklist Index Organizing Counter Thesis Body/CSW Elements of Argument Argumentive Writing

6. Elements of Argument: Thesis • A thesis is a statement that others may agree or disagree with. Argumentive Writing

7. Elements of Argument: Body Claim Support Warrant CLAIM—point you’re trying to prove • What point is the paper trying to make? • What belief or opinion is the author defending? Argumentive Writing

8. Elements of Argument: Body SUPPORT—evidence for the claim • Why should readers believe the claim? • What proof is given? WARRANT—explains how/why the evidence proves the point • How are the claim and the evidence related? • What does this evidence prove? Argumentive Writing

9. Elements of Argument: Counterargument • Establish common ground. • Show awareness of both sides. • Acknowledge and counter the strongest objection to your arguments. Argumentive Writing

10. Elements of Argument: Counterargument Why establish common ground? • Enhance credibility • Make it easier for readers to listenby acknowledging their point of view • Remind readers that they share values with the writer Argumentive Writing

11. Elements of Argument: Organizing an Argument • Weakest to strongest OR • Strongest to weakest • Weakest to strongest(if you expect audience to agree) • Strongest to weakest(if you have to convince audience) Argumentive Writing

12. Elements of Argument: Argument Checklist • Introduction • Is my thesis arguable? • Have I given readers a reason to care? Argumentive Writing

13. Elements of Argument: Argument Checklist • Body • Have I used Claim-Support-Warrant? • Does my evidence really support my argument? • Do I acknowledge other views and counterargue? • Conclusion • Have I summarized my position and why it matters? Argumentive Writing

14. Principles of organizing an argumentative essay • Focus • Stick to the issue • Order. Arrange the essay’s parts in a logical sequence • Be complete Argumentive Writing

15. Features of Argumentation • Writer • Develop your own ETHOS or borrow from established authority • Audience • Know your audience and be sensitive to their views • Text • Use the language to make your point, but be careful not to misuse language Argumentive Writing

16. Features of Argumentation: The Writer • Ethos • Your own • You must look like you know what you’re talking about • Educate yourself on the issue(s) before writing • Borrow from authority • Be sure to give appropriate credit where due Argumentive Writing

17. Features of Argumentation: The Audience • Who is your audience? • Qualities you should presume of your audience: • Assume they are as knowledgeable about your topic as you are. • Assume they are aware of common knowledge. • Assume they could be fundamentally opposed to your argument and be sensitive to their prejudices – • Don’t Alienate Your Audience Argumentive Writing

18. Features of Argumentation: The Text • Argue from logic and reason • Do NOT base your entire argument on: • Emotion • Religious Conviction • Tradition Argumentive Writing

19. What types of things do we argue about? • You cannot argue about facts (gravity, the sum of 34 + 23, etc.) • To argue about something, you need an issue that generates some controversy • Civic and political issues certainly provide us with ideas, especially as they apply on a local level. Should our town build a new library? • National issues……… Argumentive Writing

20. Steps of Argumentive Writing • Step One: Choose a controversial topic that interests you. • Step Two: Do some reading on the topic. • Step Three: Write a thesis statement. Argumentive Writing

21. Steps of Argumentive Writing • Step Four: Choose three ideas to support your argument. • Step Five: Consider the opposing arguments. If you were arguing with your friends, how would they try to prove you were wrong? Argumentive Writing

22. Steps of Argumentive Writing • Step Six Organize your ideas into an outline. Paragraph 1 – Introduction includes thesis statement and supporting ideas Paragraph 2 – Opposing argument and your refutation Paragraph 3 – Opposing argument and your refutation Paragraph 4 – Your strongest supporting argument Paragraph 5 – Conclusion includes restatement of thesis and supporting ideas. Make a prediction, a recommendation, or a summary. Argumentive Writing

23. Steps of Argumentive Writing Step Seven • Follow your outline and write the essay. • Be sure to edit your writing for grammar, spelling, and word choice errors. • Good Luck! Argumentive Writing

24. Supporting arguments • Arguments need support to be effective • You back up your arguments with evidence and explanations • This used to refer to print sources (books, magazines, newspapers). Argumentive Writing

25. Reference Bogazici University Writing Lab. Google.com Argumentive Writing

26. Any Question Argumentive Writing