Organizing Your

Argument

The Argumentative Essay

What is an argument?

An argument involves the process of establishing a claim and then proving it with the use of logical reasoning, examples, and research.

Why is organization important in building an argument?

Guides an audience through your thinking process

Offers a clear explanation of each point

Demonstrates your credibility

Organizing your argument

Title Introduction

Thesis statement Body Paragraphs

Constructing Topic Sentences

Building Main Points Refuting the

Opposition Conclusion

What is the introduction?

Introduces the reader to the topic and purpose of the essay

Gets the reader interested in the topic

Has a strong Thesis Statement taking ONE side of the argument

Gaining Interest (Hook)

personal anecdote example-real or

hypothetical question quotation

What is a Thesis Statement?

The MOST IMPORTANT SENTENCE in your essay

Lets the reader know the main idea of the paper

Answers the question: “What am I trying to prove?”

Not a statement of fact, but a claim that has to be proven throughout the paper

Purpose of the thesis statement

The thesis statement should guide your reader through your argument.

The thesis statement is in the introduction of the essay.

Which thesis statement is the most effective for an argument about the need for V-chips in television sets?

Parents, often too busy to watch television shows with their families, can monitor their children’s viewing habits with the aid of the V-chip.

To help parents monitor their children’s viewing habits, the V-chip should be a required feature for television sets sold in the U.S.

This paper will describe a V-chip and examine the uses of the V-chip in American-made television sets.

Body Paragraphs and Topic Sentences

Body paragraphs build on the claims made in the introductory paragraph

Have topic sentences that introduce the main idea of each paragraph.

Help the reader get to know the topic and the complexity of the issue.

Body Paragraphs

Paragraphs may be ordered in several ways, depending upon the topic and purpose of your argument: General to specific

information Most important point to least

important point Weakest claim to strongest

claim

Offering a Counterargument (Refutation)

Addressing the claims of the other side is an important part of building a convincing argument.

It demonstrates your credibility as a writer--you have researched all sides of the argument and have come to an informed decision.

Offering a Counterargument

Counterarguments may be located at various locations within your body paragraphs.

You may choose to offer a refutation Before you argue your main

points After you have stated your

main claims.

Refuting effectively

Consider your audience when you offer your counterargument.

Accepting some of your opposition’s points can make your argument seem weak.

Don’t be rude about the other side! Using rude language can cause

your audience to stop taking you seriously.

Conclusion

Your conclusion should restate the main points made in your essay.

You may want to repeat a call to action or make a prediction about the future of your topic.

Don’t make new claims in your conclusion.

Organizing your argument

Title Introduction Body Paragraphs

Using Topic Sentences

Building Main Points Refutation

Conclusion

DIGITAL PRIVACY

ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

Privacy in the Digital Age

AGAINST (Privacy)

It helps companies gain insight about what users want and how to serve them

Specific consumers can be targeted

Companies can send info that consumers need and special offers that they may be unaware of

Companies gain competitive advantage

FOR (Privacy)

Government and companies access users’ computers and information without their consent

Many disagree with the way information is obtained

Consumers have no control over how the information is obtained and will be used

Issues in information technology – cookies

AGAINST (Privacy)

They help save website preferences & customize the way a website looks

They can track users to give recommendations

They can allow 1-click shopping

They provide information exchange security info i.e. log on info & Used to prevent session hijacking (When an attacker gets in between a user and a site)

FOR (Privacy)

Cookies are computer dependent; different users have access to information stored on the computer

Access to user e-mail, passwords, and credit card info is dangerous for security reasons

Cookies can be used as a research tool for controversial issues such as for abortion, gun control)

Info can be gathered without user knowledge

Benefits of a Database

AGAINST (Privacy)

It identifies cost effective treatment

It fights false claims (insurance companies)

A person’s medical info is immediately available

It helps track certain diseases & patients’ responses to drugs

Info is available to drug companies for research

Better organization of medical files (reduction of paperwork and help with billing)

FOR (Privacy)

Employers might have access to this information and could deny employment and promotion

People might be denied insurance

More people will have access to these records

Information can be easily misused