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Developing an academic argument

What is an argument?

An argument is an effort to justify a particular conclusion. The justification should be strong enough to

convince others that your conclusion is the correct one.

Effective argument will be well-grounded, persuasive, and significant.

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Parts of an Argument

Parts of an argument.

  • ISSUE - problem or controversy about which people disagree (topic)
  • CLAIM - the position on the issue (thesis statement)
  • SUPPORT - reasons and evidence that the claim is reasonable and should be accepted (plan of development)
  • REFUTATION - opposing viewpoints

3 fundamental questions

1. What is the question at issue?

2. What is the author’s point?

3. Do the author’s reasons elicit belief?

Fundamental questions

Types of Support

REASON - a general statement that supports a claim.

EVIDENCE - consists of facts, statistics, experiences, comparisons, and examples that show why the claim is valid.

ARGUMENT- ideas that are elaborating and explaining the connection between your reason and evidence.

Types of support

Strategies for Evaluating Arguments

Evaluating an argument

  • Evaluate Types of Evidence - Is it sufficient to support the claim?
  • Personal Experience - may be biased, so do not use it on its own
  • Examples - should not be used by themselves.
  • Statistics - can be misused, manipulated or misinterpreted.
  • Comparisons and Analogies - reliability depends on how closely they correspond to the situation.
  • Relevancy and Sufficiency of Evidence - is there enough of the right kind to support the claim?
  • Definition of Terms - should be carefully defined and used consistently
  • Cause-Effect Relationships - evidence that the relationship exists should be present
  • Implied or Stated Value System - are they consistent with your personal value system?
  • Recognizing and Refuting Opposing Viewpoints

Questions to Consider in Evaluating Arguments

Questions to ask.

1.What are you claiming?

2. What reasons do you have for believing that claim?

3. On what evidence do you base these reasons?

4. What warrants (principles) make your reasons relevant to your claim?

5. What would you say to someone who said, “But what about…?”

For Each Argument:

What to look for?

  • Identify the claim (thesis statement).
  • Outline the reasons to support the claim (plan of development).
  • Identify the types of evidence you will use.
  • Evaluate the adequacy and sufficiency of the evidence.
  • Avoid emotional appeals. Provide FACTS.
  • Recognize and accept counter arguments.

EXAMPLE OF AN ARGUMENT

Example of an argument?

  • TOPIC: Artistic creativity and culture.
  • CLAIM: Artistic creativity is positively influenced by culture. (Thesis statement)
  • SUPPORT: unique designs, aesthetic designs etc.(Plan of development)
  • EVIDENCE: argument provided within the body of your writing that elaborates on the support.

DEVELOPING THE ARGUMENT IN A PARAGRAPH

Developing an argument in a paragraph

Answer the following questions about your claim:

  • What is the support? (Topic sentence)
  • How does culture positively leads to uniqueness? How is this used in the process of designing?
  • Why does culture leads to uniqueness of designs? Why is this important?
  • Who is involved in this process?
  • When and where does culture leads to unique designs?

Qualities of a main claim

  • Interpretive: does it offer to explain a reality or relationship?
  • Specific: can we point to the question at issue and is it too general to be meaningful?
  • Contestable: can we disagree?
  • Significant: why should we care?
  • Reasonable: can we follow the logic?
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