Shaping a Written Argument

SHAPING A WRITTEN ARGUMENT

INTRODUCTION:

If your subject is obscure and technical, give your readers the necessary background information.

If not much background is required, you may begin your essay with

Narrative (actual or fictional to illustrate the question at issue) A relevant quotation. Opposing view (and build your argument on a refutation of what is often the prevailing wisdom on an issue.

State your thesis in the introductory paragraph. DEVELOPMENT OF YOUR ARGUMENT:

Present as many strong PREMISES in support of your position as necessary.

Elaborate, present and defend them with specific details, examples, illustrations, stats. Draw on personal experience and research to support your position.

This support should be connected explicitly to your thesis.

How many premises should an argument have?

The quest for quantity should not be at the expense of quality.

Weak or questionable premises should not be included just to increase the number of premises. You can have a strong argument with only 2 or 3 premises if those premises are convincing and are developed in detail. CONCLUSION

If your paper is long and complex, briefly summarize it and state what you propose. If it is not too long and complex, re-state the thesis, make sure your final position is clear. If as a result of your argument, you have definite recommendations for action, state them. A DIALECTICAL APPROACH TO ARGUMENT’

An effective argument depends on dialectical thinking. Dialectic is the art of arriving at the truth by disclosing the contradictions, the views contrary to your own, in an opponent’s argument, and overcoming them.

~> A thesis is transformed into its opposite-- antithesis. The combination of the two is then resolved into a form of truth: synthesis.

COUNTERARGUMENTS

To take this dialectical approach to argument, pay careful attention to counterarguments, to opposing views, acknowldge the “other” side because

1. By ANTICIPATING your opponent’s reasoning, you can disarm the opposition.

2. You can make your own position stronger when you state and then REFUTE opposing premises by demonstrating their weaknesses or falseness.

3. By addressing counterarguments to your position, you appear more reasonable and fair, become more credible and are not seen narrow-minded, it shows that you are aware of complexity and are more intelligent and reliable. 4. When you CONCEDE a point, you move closer to a middle ground, communicating, and increasing your chances of winning your final point.

5. You may discover weakneses and contradictions in your own thinking as you sort through the reasoning of your opponents.

How much counterargument?

If you have strong refutations for every one of the opposition’s premises, address all these counterarguments.

If you think the premises you have to support your conclusion are stronger than the refutation of the opposition, include a minimum of counterargument. For Refutation and Concession, see p. 91-92 WLTC.