Strategies for Written Argument

1
Strategies for Written Argument

• English 102
• Becky Cooper

2
Take a systematic approach

• Choose a significant issue.
• Make sure that you have an arguable claim.
• Identify your purpose and audience.
• Tailor your argument to purpose and audience.
• Define the issue and provide background.
• Explain your position on the issue.
• Support your position with ample evidence.
• Use language to enhance your argument.
• Use organization to strengthen your support.
• Present a balanced perspective.
• Check the logic of your argument

3
Choose a significant issue

• Think about how it affects your life or the lives
  of others.
• Ask yourself why it matters or is interesting to
  you.
• What other persons or groups would care about
  this issue?
• Why are people still debating the issue?
• Freewrite on what you already know about it and
  on what you would like to learn about it.

4
Make sure that you have an arguable claim

• Are there those who would disagree with your
  claim about the issue?
• Write down your claim.
• Write down the opposing viewpoint.

5
Identify your purpose and audience

• Whom do you want to influence?
• How do you want to influence them?

6
Tailor your argument to purpose and audience

• Is your style and tone appropriate for your
  audience and purpose? (Style refers to the
  choices you make with regard to sentence
  structure, diction, literary devices, etc. Tone
  is your attitude toward the topic--angry,
  reflective, somber, etc.)

7
Audiences

• Supportive trusts the writers credibility and
  agrees with the position (can use emotional
  appeal as the primary appeal)
• Wavering may lack information on the subject but
  are willing to listen (ethical and logical
  appeals are useful)
• Hostile may have a very strong emotional
  investment in the opposing view (logos is most
  effective)

8
Types of Appeals

• Logical (logos) based on logical evidence
• Emotional (pathos) based on the readers needs,
  values, and attitudes
• Ethical (ethos) based on the credibility of the
  writer or authority

9
Define the issue and provide background

• Provide a context for the claim.
• Define any terms in your claim that might mislead
  the reader.

10
Explain your position on the issue

• Assert a clear position on the issue. Dont
  waffle (agree with both sides) or merely
  report opposing positions.

11
Support your position with ample evidence

• Provide convincing reasons and evidence (data,
  reports of personal experience, views of experts)
  to support your claim.
• Make sure that your evidence is up to date,
  sufficient, credible, and relevant.

12
Use language to enhance your argument

• Recognize the power of language.
• Recognize the power of emotive language to
  influence feelings and attitudes.
• Identify the connotations of key words and how
  they contribute to tone.
• Avoid loaded terms that may offend readers.
• Avoid exaggerating or slanting the argument.
• Use abstractions carefully and effectively.
• Eliminate cliches and slogans.

13
Use organization to strengthen your support

• The emphatic approach saves the most important
  evidence for last.
• The simple to complex approach presents basic
  concepts before moving on to complex ideas,
  easing the reader into difficult material.

14
Present a balanced perspective

• Dont insult the reader by ignoring the opposing
  viewpoint and presenting a slanted argument.
• Accommodate or refute opposing views.

15
Check the logic of your argument

• Think through your position using induction or
  deduction.
• Identify the warrant (underlying assumption that
  links support and claim) and make it explicit if
  it is implied.