Writing an Argument
When you argue, you are trying to convince someone your position on a particular topic is the right
position.
You do not argue about impossible things. No point to it.
You do not argue about facts (although the anti-vaccine folks, the flat earth people, and other fringe
elements do try to do that).
All papers are at heart (if they are not straight reporting information papers) arguments.
A thesis statement is an argument. You provide your topic and your position on it and often your strategy
to prove your position is correct.
Written arguments have two parts: the claim and the support.
If you are assigned a straight argument paper, you should do the following things:
Suggestions as to topics:
Make it something you feel passionately about.
Try to pick something fresh. Abortion has been done a lot. Unless you're going to argue from a fresh angle
and suggest it's a good thing.
Try not to pick a topic your instructor feels strongly about and then argue the opposite. Unless you like to
mess with the instructor and gamble with your grade. Of course, this does not apply to me. Go for it. :-)
Try to pick something that is controversial and undecided.
Conduct an adequate literature review and make sure you understand both sides of the argument.
You do not personally have to believe what you are arguing.
The Handbook shows the structure of a classical argument:
Introductory paragraph: your hook; use anecdote, quote, rampant emotionalism.
Thesis statement: topic and take.
Background information on topic.
Reasons and evidence for why your take is right.
Reasons the other side is wrong.
Conclusion.
Types of Appeals:
Logical appeals. I'm a big fan of these. Facts will always win the day with me.
Emotional appeal. Not a big fan. If you don't have the facts to back up the emotionalism, don't bother.
Credibility. The reader needs a reason to believe he should listen to you. Get the facts wrong or rely
only on emotionalism and you have lose credibility.