Constructing an Argument UA PDF

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Constructing an Argument What is an argument? An argument is a crucial component of any critical presentation or essay. When constructing an argumentative essay or debate you are making a case for the validity of a particular position or point of view you have taken toward a specific issue or topic. This position must be presented and expressed in a clear arguable thesis statement, and be consistently supported with evidence and logic throughout the body of a critical discussion. Therefore, an argument is a discussion of key points or ideas used to justify (to an audience/reader) the critical position adopted within a presentation/essay. How do I construct an argument? The assessments in this unit will require you to develop and compose arguments for your research essay. A strong argument presents a clear position or view which is supported by key ideas and research evidences discussed throughout the body of an essay. This process of developing an argument for the assignments of this unit will involve establishing a critical position for your essay; research and critical analysis of relevant information; identifying and discussing key points or ideas to support the position of your essay; and reinforcing these key ideas with researched evidences and relevant examples. To assist you, the following outlines a series of steps which can guide you in the process of building an argument for your debate and research essay: Establish and clearly present a critical position •

Considering the purpose of an argument is to support a particular view or position presented within a critical discussion, it is therefore necessary to establish the position you are taking toward the selected topic of your essay.

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The position of your essay should be clearly expressed by a thesis statement in your introduction; it should be justified throughout the main body of your discussion; and re-stated in your conclusion.

Research, investigate, evaluate •

In order to identify key ideas and evidences to develop an argument for your presentation/essay, it is necessary to research and analyse information and

architectural examples related to the thesis statement of your assignment. Understand, recognise and evaluate the particular prevailing ideas, socio-cultural attitudes, practices, conditions and political factors associated with the context of the topic and position of your essay. Identify and organise key ideas •

From your research and analysis, identify 3-4 key ideas or points which support the thesis statement of your essay. Consider what things you need to point out or say to clearly explain and justify your critical position to an audience or reader.

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A discussion of each of these key points will compose the body or middle paragraphs of your essay, and the basis of your argument. Therefore, it is important to order these key ideas in a manner which leads the reader or audience toward an understanding of your topic and critical view of it. The aim is to guide the audience or reader through the main points of your argument, by moving logically from one key idea to the next, and building up your case.

Discuss, clarify, reinforce •

After ordering the key ideas of your argument in a logical manner, you will need to explain, detail or elaborate on them in order to make them clearer for the reader or audience to understand. Clarify and reinforce your discussion of these key ideas by explaining relevant information (social, cultural, contextual, historical factors or relations); using appropriate quotations and images; and discussing architectural examples which demonstrate the main points of your argument.

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Always relate your discussion of each key point back to your position or thesis statement. When discussing a key idea, always consider and explain how it demonstrates or supports the position of your essay, so as to avoid describing irrelevant information. Remember, the purpose of each key idea discussed within your presentation or essay is to support your thesis statement. This will make your argument more convincing and enable your audience or readers to have a clear understanding of the topic you are discussing and the position you have toward it.

It should be noted that there is no absolute rights or wrongs concerning a particular topic. Acknowledge the alternative position by providing evidence against it or, when necessary, conceding that it has some validity. The challenge is to present your argument in a way which doesn’t weaken your thesis, but rather, demonstrates to the reader that you have a comprehensive understanding of your topic and are able to evaluate aspects of it. This can be achieved by demonstrating the limits of the opposing argument, and justifying the strength of your own thesis (Dawson 2007, 32).

References Dawson, J. 2007. The little blue writing book, essays. Bentley: The Learning Centre. Moon, B., and B. Mellor. 2001. Writing Critical Essays, a practical guide. Cottesloe: Chalkface Press Pty Ltd. Turley, R.M. 2000. Writing Essays, a guide for students in English and the humanities. New York: RoutledgeFalmer....