ENG 113: Composition I

 Variation of “thesis-and-support” essay  State a position on a topic  Support your position  Special concerns  Structure  Style  Purpose

Introduction: Thesis Statement Body: Evidence Body: Refutation of Opposing Arguments Conclusion: Concluding Statement

Argument Thesis Statement Evidence Refutation Concluding Statement

 Thesis Statement = a single sentence that states your position on an issue  Argumentative Thesis = takes a firm stand  Must be Debatable = have at least two sides, stating a position with which some reasonable people may disagree  Test = Is there an antithesis (an opposing argument)?  Example:  Our school has a dress code policy.  This is a statement of fact. Therefore, there is no antithesis  Our school has a dress code policy that is too lenient.  This is debatable. A reasonable person might make the opposite argument.

 Evidence = the material –facts, observations, expert opinion, examples, statistics, and so on—that supports your thesis statement  You may use facts or opinions as evidence to support your thesis  Fact = a statement that can be verified (proven to be true)  Opinion = always open to debate because it is simply a personal judgment  Different types of evidence carry different credibility  Facts = reliable because they can be proven  Unsupported opinions = differing levels of credibility  Expert in a field offers more credibility than novice  Supported opinion = opinion is backed up by fact so is more credible

 Refutation = disproves or calls into question arguments that challenge your position  A topic for argumentation has more than one side (often more than two)  Do not assume your reader agrees with you  Usually need to be convinced that your position on an issue has merit  Strategies for refutation  Acknowledge the strength of opposing view  Point out their shortcomings

 Concluding statement = ends the essay by reinforcing your position  Benefits of a strong concluding statement  Helps your readers remember your thesis  Wraps up the essay

 Checklist  Do you have an argumentative thesis?  Do you include solid, convincing evidence to support your thesis?  Do you include a refutation of the most compelling arguments against your position?  Do you include a strong concluding statement?