Chapter 33 Writing an Argumentative Essay Writing Clearly

Chapter 33: Writing an Argumentative Essay

Writing Clearly (pp. 404 -405) • Two people benefit from clear writing: – The reader will be able to follow your argument with ease. – You, the writer, will be more likely to see and fix weak points in your arguments.

Getting Started (pp. 405 -407) • Articulate the structure of your essay – State your thesis and subordinate theses. – Develop arguments to support your main and subordinate theses. – Conclude by restating your main and subordinate theses. • Choosing and limiting your thesis is the most difficult and important element of writing an argumentative essay. – A narrow thesis is easier to defend than a broad thesis.

The Body of the Essay (pp. 408 -410) • The body consists of arguments supporting your subordinate theses and, thereby, your main thesis. – Use sound deductive arguments whenever possible. – If you can’t construct sound deductive arguments with premises your reader will accept as true or probably true, construct strong inductive arguments.

The Body of the Essay (pp. 408 -410) – Ask: • Are the premises of your argument true? • Do the premises, if true, provide reasons for granting that the conclusion is true? • Will your reader recognize the truth of the premises? – What is required to show that your thesis is true? Do you need universal premises, or will particular premises do?

The Body of the Essay (pp. 408 -410) • Transitional narrative – Transitional narrative moves you smoothly from one argument to the next. – Guideposts: When moving from the defense of one subordinate thesis to the defense of another, guideposts tell your reader where you’ve been and where you’re going. • Guideposts make your reader’s task easier. • Guideposts increase the clarity of your essay.

Keep the Audience in Mind (pp. 410 -415) • Keep it simple – Vocabulary must be appropriate for your audience. – When in doubt, go for simple terms, unless a more sophisticated word is needed to say precisely what you want to say. – Short sentences are generally better than long sentences. – Avoid sexist, racist, and any other language that could offend your audience. – Avoid stereotypes.

Keep the Audience in Mind (pp. 410 -415) • Capture Your Audience’s Interest – Sometimes you will need an opening paragraph showing: • that your thesis is significant. • that you are familiar with the issues your paper addresses, for example, that you are familiar with the principal positions taken on an issue. – If your thesis is controversial, state it modestly.

Keep the Audience in Mind (pp. 410 -415) • Know your topic thoroughly – You will need to know the alternative positions on your topic. – If your thesis is controversial, your arguments need to be very tight. – You will need to follow the argument “down” to premises your opponent will grant. • If there is no point of agreement, you cannot convince your reader that your thesis is true. – Beware of “common knowledge. ”

Keep the Audience in Mind (pp. 410 -415) • Objections and Replies – You will strengthen your argument if you can propose objections to your thesis and reply to those objections. • Keep focused – Be willing to say that topics tangential to your essay are “beyond the scope of the present paper. ”

And Revise (pp. 415 -416) • Plan to revise your paper at least three times – Check spelling and grammar. – Tighten your arguments whenever possible. – Place some time between revisions: You will see things that you wouldn’t see if the essay is fresh in your mind. – Take the position of your opponent seriously: Strengthen the objections and your replies if possible. – Have a friend look over the paper and raise objections.