The Argument Essay Taking a stand convincing your

The Argument Essay Taking a stand convincing your audience

How do we argue? � What it usually ends up sounding like. . .

What we should really strive to achieve… � Respectful disagreement and the successful exchange of ideas

How to convince your audience

Offer level headed and disputable claims � You won’t influence audiences by making points nobody cares about or calls into question. � In any argument something clear and specific ought to be at stake. � No matter what it is that you’ll want to change readers’ minds about, you’ll need a well defined and appropriately qualified point if you expect to influence a levelheaded audience.

Would anyone disagree? � All parents should care about their children. ◦ Parents should be held legally responsible if their children break the law. � In today’s society, technology is widely used. ◦ People have become too dependant on technology and should focus on “unplugging. ” � College students should work hard to be successful in their classes. ◦ All incoming college students should enroll in a study skills course to help them succeed in their first year.

Offer Good Reasons to Support a Claim Without evidence and supporting reasons, a claim is just an assertion– and little better than a shout or a slogan.

Respond to Opposing Claims and Points of View � You won’t be able to make a strong case until you can honestly paraphrase the logic of those who see matters differently. “Some may argue…” � And, in your own arguments, you will seem smarter and more fair when you acknowledge these other reasonable opinions even as you refute them. “Yes, this might be true. However…”

Keep in mind… � � It doesn't take much to spark an argument these days – a casual remark, a political observation, a dumb joke that hurts someone’s feelings. Loud voices and angry gestures may follow, leaving observers upset and frustrated, wishing that we could all just get along. But arguments aren’t polarizing or hostile by nature, not when people more interested in generating light than heat offer them � Ultimately, arguments should make us smarter and better able to deal with problems in the world. adapted from How to Write Anything by J. Ruszkiewicz