Argumentative Writing

Key Features cont'd

Careful consideration of other positions!

And Finally...

Even when our position is clear and arguable, our background information is comprehensive, our reasons are good, our evidence is convincing, our rhetorical appeals consider our audience's values, and our tone is trustworthy...others may still disagree with us! This does not necessarily diminish the strength of our argument; rather, it just demonstrates that all arguments have counterarguments. Consequently, it is important that we recognize these counterarguments and acknowledge other points of view. When appropriate, we can refute these counterarguments in our argumentative writing.

Strategic Exploration

As you decide on your position, it is important that you explore multiple perspectives, since "most issues may be argued from many different perspectives" (NFG 174). The following are some good methods for exploring issues:

• As a matter of definition
• When we consider how a topic is defined, we have to consider different perspectives on the topic. How might a proponent of this topic define it? How might an opponent define it?
• As a matter of classification
• Some questions to consider: Can the issue be divided into categories? Do different categories suggest particular positions, or perhaps a way of supporting a certain position?
• As a matter of comparison
• Is one subject considered better--or worse--than another? Somewhere in the middle?
• As a matter of process
• Should somebody do something? What kind of processes should be enacted?

Drafting and Qualifying Thesis Statements

After exploring possibilities and deciding on your position, write it out in a complete sentence (NFG 175). It is important to then qualify your position. You can qualify your position thinking about it in cetain circumstances, with certain conditions, with these limitations, etc. This helps us present our position in a way that does not seem like we're saying it's the only "correct" one.

Examples:

• Basic thesis statement: Pod-based coffeemakers should be banned.
• Qualified thesis statement: Pod-based coffeemakers should be banned, unless the pods are recyclable.
• Basic thesis statement: Genetically modified foods should be permitted in the U.S.
• Qualified thesis statement: Genetically modified foods should be permitted in the U.S. if they are clearly labeled as such.

Reasons and Evidence

Reasons always need to be supported by evidence. When writing an argument, evidence is "the data you present to support your reasons...Evidence should be sufficient (enough to show that the reasons have merit) and relevant (appropriate to the argument you're making)" (NFG G/I-12). Evidence can include facts, statistics, examples, expert testimony, anecdotal evidence, textual evidence, scenarios, case studies, and observations. (For more detailed descriptions of different types of evidence, see pp. 359-67 in the Norton Field Guide.)

When figuring out what counts as evidence for your argument, realize that this answer will vary across audiences.

• What kind of evidence would matter in a scientific report?
• What kind of evidence would best support a literary analysis?
• What kind of evidence would count in an argument for or against the death penalty?

Organizational Strategy #1

Reasons to support your argument, followed by opposing arguments:

State your thesis.

Give the first reason, with support.

Introduce the issue, and provide any necessary background information.

Give the second reason, with support.

Continue as needed.

Acknowledge and/or refute opposing arguments.

End with a call to action, a restatement of your thesis, or a statement of implications.

Organizational Strategy #2

Reason/opposing argument, reason/opposing argument:

State your thesis.

Give the first reason, with support.

Acknowledge and/or refute opposing arguments.

Introduce the issue, and provide any necessary background information.

Acknowledge and/or refute opposing arguments.

Give the second reason, with support.

Continue this pattern as needed, discussing reasons and opposing arguments one by one.

End with a call to action, a restatement of your thesis, or a statement of implications.

Templates for Agreeing

X is surely right about ____________ because, as she may not be aware, recent studies have shown that _____________.

X's theory of _______________ is extremely useful because it sheds light on the difficult problem of _____________.

Those unfamiliar with this school of thought may be interested to know that it basically boils down to _____________.

I agree that _____________, a point that needs emphasizing since so many people still believe _______________.

Templates for Disagreeing

X's claim that __________ rests upon the questionable assumption that ____________.

I disagree with X's view that ___________ because, as recent research has shown, ___________.

X contradicts herself/can't have it both ways. On the one hand, she argues ___________. On the other hand, she also says __________.

By focusing on ___________, X overlooks the deeper problem of __________.

Templates for Agreeing/Disagreeing

Although I agree with X up to a point, I cannot accept his over-riding assumption that ___________________.

Although I disagree with much that X says, I fully endorse his final conclusion that ________________.

Though I concede that ___________, I still insist that __________.

Whereas X provides ample evidence that __________, Y and Z's research on ____________ and ____________ convinces me that __________ instead.

My feelings on the issue are mixed. I do support X's position that _______, but I find Y's argument about _________ and Z's research on __________ to be equally persuasive.