Argument
You
may have seen the Monty
Python skit in which two men get into one of
those "'did too' 'did not!'" discussions. What is the
difference between an argument and a contradiction? As explained in
Temple University's FAQs about
argumentation:
- An argument . . . typically has an architecture of “supports”—the
reasons we believe what we believe—and these supports
are explicitly stated as part of our
argument.
- Academic arguments...include
an explicit
discussion of opposing arguments, as well. Our arguments
will be more
convincing if...we have at least
considered alternative viewpoints...; the most convincing
arguments are those that persuasively demonstrate
why the opposing viewpoints are mistaken.
So to make an academic argument, you take a stand, support
it with evidence, and show why your stand makes more sense than an
opposing viewpoint.
Still think you're not the type to argue? Check out Overcoming
Arguer's Block.
The strategy of acknowledging opposing arguments (and then rebutting,
or proving them wrong) is called counterargument.
You'll need to use it in your research paper for CM220.
To argue well, you'll also need to provide
evidence to support your
arguments.
If you're really skilled in argument, you'll take time to analyze how
your audience might react to your evidence.
Class Materials
 The
Argument Clinic
Organizing
notes: directions (.doc); notes (.doc)
Test
Your Thesis (.doc)
Writing
Argumentative Essays (PPT)
Recognizing
Deceptive Arguments (.doc)
Research Paper
Rubric (.doc)
 Argument
Revision Guide
Internet
Resources
Overview
of the Research Paper (Bailey,
Ch. 19)
Introductions to Research
Papers (CEU)
Developing a Thesis
Developing
a Thesis (tutorial takes you step-by-step from topic to thesis;
U Wisc—Madison)
Developing
a Thesis (tests for a good thesis from St. Cloud U)
How
to Write a Thesis Statement (Indiana U—Bloomington)
Developing
Your Thesis (Dartmouth)
Online
Thesis Builder (Tom March's Electraguide)
Defining
a Position (thinking through your position; resolving contradictions)
Organizing an Argument
Fear
Not the Introduction (get started by
skipping the introduction; Tina Blue)
Elements
of Argument (thesis, organization, supporting evidence)
Counterargument (turn
against, turn back)
Ways
to organize an argument, including Set
Up/Reject, Comparison, and
Hybrid (or combination) forms from L. Weinstein
The
Basic Principles of Persuasive Writing (UBC Writing Centre)
Thinking
Strategies and Writing Patterns (U Maryland)
Planning
Your Argument (OhioLINK)
Make an Outline Online (Tom March's Electraguide)
Paradigm
Online Writing Assistant
Description
of a Persuasive Essay (step-by-step guide)
Essentials
of Effective Persuasive Essays
(by two
Hamilton College, NY, students)
Developing a Logical Argument
Argument (includes
making a claim)
What
Is an Argument? (appeals to logic, emotion, ethics; counterargument)
Recognizing
Deceptive Arguments (InfoWrite)
Identifying
the Argument of an Essay: A Tutorial in Critical Reasoning
Being
Logical (Darling)
Model Papers
Model
Paper: Lund (snowmobiles should be banned in Yellowstone; uses MLA
style)
Model
Paper: Sangvhi (snowmobiles should not be
banned)
Model
Paper: Daly (drivers' cell phone use should be regulated; uses MLA
style)
Model
Paper: Levy (drivers' cell phone use should not be regulated; uses
MLA style)
Models
from L. Weinstein, including Set
Up/Reject, Comparison,
and Hybrid (or
combination) forms
Additional
Argument Models (APA style)
Advanced Resources
Temple
University resources on argument, including "So
What Is an Academic Argument, Anyway?"
Strengthening
an Argument (tipsheet from University of Houston,
Clear Lake)
Organizing
Your Argument (PPT from Purdue's OWL)
Terms
in a Toulmin Argument (claim-support-warrant)
Copyright
in these materials belongs to C.
Munzenmaier © 2007.
Teachers and students are free to reproduce them for nonprofit educational
use. |
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