Overview of Five Parts of Argument |
       
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Click here for Exercises on Parts of Argument Academic and professional writing must make an argument. This
kind of writing has a different purpose than other forms, such
as summary or personal opinion. Argument is meant to solve a problem
by giving others good reason to think or act as you want them to.
Teachers and colleagues expect you to make a claim that you believe,
then explain why you believe it and why they should too. In order
to be successful in these environments, you must be able to form
rational arguments and explain them by giving others good reason
to believe your views deserve respect. Arguments define academic
and professional communities. For an exchange to be an argument is has to meet two criteria.
First, it must offer a claim and support it with at least one reason.
Second, it must consider the intention of the participants; in
order to make an argument you must also believe the readers will
accept your claim only if you give them good reason to do so. Asking and answering these five questions creates the substance
of a sound written argument: 1. What do you think? What's your point? What are you claiming
that I should do or believe? 2. Why do you think that? Why should I agree? What reasons can
you offer to support your claim? 3. How do you know? On what facts do you base those reasons? How
do we know they are good reasons? What evidence do you have to
back them up? We think up reasons, but evidence must be found within
the text or source. 4. What's your logic? What principle makes your reasons relevant
to your claim? We'll call that principle a warrant. 5. But have you considered? But what would you say to someone
who said/objected/ argued/ claimed? Do you acknowledge
this alternative to your position, and how would you respond?
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