1 Creating an Academic Argument Anne Torkelson Writing Consultant Writing Center

22 Housekeeping Type your questions in the questions box  Download the PowerPoint slides (at any point) and view the recording (later):

33 Today’s Agenda What is academic argument? What makes a strong, argumentative thesis? What are some ways to organize a paper? Writing center tools and resources Questions

44 What Do We Mean When We Say “Argumentative” Paper? Argument a reason given in proof or rebuttal discourse intended to persuade a coherent series of statements leading from a premise to a conclusion

55 Argumentative Writing Not argumentative: A paper describing to readers what happens physiologically to a person’s brain when that person eats chocolate. Argumentative: A paper persuading readers that chocolate, in moderation, has health benefits.

66 Professional Argument (APA 3.07) APA 3.07 states that arguments should be presented “in a professional, noncombative manner” (p.66). Arguments are based in facts from research (peer reviewed journals, books, and scholarly websites). Use evidence to persuade your readers.

77 Essential Parts of an Argumentative Paper 1.Introduction – Background – Opposing side(s) – Thesis statement 2.Body of Paper – Body paragraphs based in evidence from research – Opposing sides may also be part of the body paragraphs 3.Conclusion

88 The Opposing Side(s) In an argumentative paper, you’ll need to acknowledge that there are other viewpoints and research arguing something different than what you’re arguing. As a scholarly writer, you want to address the opposing side in a manner that is: -Fair -Respectful -Logical

99 When Writing an Argument…

10 Introduction Begin your introduction with a hook—a sentence or two that catches your readers’ attention and leads in to your topic. – A statistic related to your topic – A statement of a problem or popular misconception related to your topic – A factual statement or a summary of an interesting event related to your topic

11 Thesis Statement Encompasses the main point(s) of your paper Acts as road map Located in the introduction (usually at or near the end) Argumentative – Not a question – Not a topic – Not a fact – Not a statement about the paper’s purpose – Not a statement about what the paper discusses

12 Tips for Your Thesis Ask yourself: -Can someone disagree with it? -Can you base your argument on scholarly evidence? Or are you relying on opinion, religious belief, or morality? -Is it narrow enough that you can discuss it with detailed, in-depth evidence?

13 Theses Analysis Gamification: Using game designs and techniques to nongame situations.

14 Which is the Strongest Thesis? 1. Many companies are using gamification techniques. 2. How are companies using gamification to increase benefit employers and employees? 3. This paper will discuss how companies are using gamification techniques to benefit employers and employees. 4. This paper will explore the question of how companies are using gamification to benefit employers and employees. 5. Gamification in the workplace has several benefits to employers and employees.

15 Poll: Which is the Stronger Thesis? 1.With my new knowledge of Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, I am better prepared to address the needs of my students. 2.In this paper, I will discuss what I learned about child development in this course and how I have grown as an early childhood education teacher.

16 A Note on Expository Papers 1.With my new knowledge of Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, I am better prepared to address the needs of my students. 2.In this paper, I will discuss what I learned about child development in this course and how I have grown as an early childhood education teacher.

17 Paper Organization Introduction Thesis Body paragraphs Conclusion

18 Standard Organization Introduce topic Present opposing side Thesis Introduction Claim 1 (reason thesis is true) and support Body Paragraph 1 Claim 2 (reason thesis is true) and support Body Paragraph 2 Claim 3 (reason thesis is true) and support Body Paragraph 3 Wrap up; reiterate thesis and main points Conclusion

19 Comparison and Contrast Papers Point format Block format

20 Comparison and Contrast Papers Assignment: Compare and contrast two health issues found in both the United States and another country. Then, identify a public health program addressing one of the health issues in the United States, and compare and contrast it to a public health program for the same issue in the other country.

21 Compare and Contrast: Point Format Introduce topic Thesis Introduction Childhood obesity in the United States Body Paragraph 1 Childhood obesity in France Body Paragraph 2 Chronic diseases in the United States Body Paragraph 3 Chronic diseases in France Body Paragraph 4 U.S. school-based programs for childhood obesity Body Paragraph 5 French community-based programs for childhood obesity Body Paragraph 6 Wrap up; reiterate thesis and main points Conclusion

22 Compare and Contrast: Block Format Introduce topic Thesis Introduction Childhood obesity in the United States Chronic diseases in the United States School-based program for obesity in the United States Body Paragraph 1 Childhood obesity in France Chronic diseases in the United States Community-based program for obesity in France. Body Paragraph 2 Wrap up; reiterate thesis and main points Conclusion

23 Follow Parallel Construction Introduce topic Thesis Introduction Childhood obesity in the United States Chronic diseases in the United States School-based program for obesity in the United States Body Paragraph 1 Community-based program for obesity in France Chronic diseases in the United States Childhood obesity in France Body Paragraph 2 Wrap up; reiterate thesis and main points Conclusion X

24 Comparison and Contrast Papers: What Format is Best? Assignment: Compare and contrast two health issues found in the United States with two health issues found in another country. Explain how these issues may be influenced by economic challenges.

25 Compare and Contrast: Block Format (example 2) Introduce topic Thesis Introduction Childhood obesity in the United States Chronic diseases in the United States How these issues are influenced by economic challenges Body Paragraph 1 Bed shortages in France Financial instability in the French health care system How these issues are influenced by economic challenges Body Paragraph 2 Wrap up; reiterate thesis and main points Conclusion

26 Compare and Contrast: Block Format Introduce topic Thesis Introduction Childhood obesity in the United States Body Paragraph 1 Chronic diseases in the United States Body Paragraph 2 How these U.S. issues are influenced by economic challenges Body Paragraph 3 Bed shortages in France Body Paragraph 4 Financial instability in the French health care system Body Paragraph 5 How these issues in France are influenced by economic challenges Body Paragraph 6 Wrap up; reiterate thesis and main points Conclusion United States France

27 Refutation Arguments Still follow a block format or a point format Opposing side will be part of the body paragraphs rather than just in the introduction

28 Refutation Arguments: Your Points First Introduce topic Thesis Introduction Present and support your first point Body Paragraph 1 P r e s e n t a n d s u p p o r t y o u r s e c o n d p o i n t Body Paragraph 2 Present and refute opposition’s first point Body Paragraph 3 Present and refute opposition’s second point Body Paragraph 4 Wrap up; reiterate thesis and main points Conclusion

29 Refutation Arguments: Opposing Side First Introduce topic Thesis Introduction Present and refute opponent’s first point Body Paragraph 1 Present and refute opponent’s second point Body Paragraph 2 Present and support your first point Body Paragraph 3 P r e s e n t a n d s u p p o r t y o u r s e c o n d p o i n t Body Paragraph 4 Wrap up; reiterate thesis and main points Conclusion

30 Refutation Arguments: Point Format Introduce topic Thesis Introduction Present opponent’s first point Body Paragraph 1 Present and support your first point (your counter argument) Body Paragraph 2 Present opponent’s second point Body Paragraph 3 Present and support your second point (your counter argument) Body Paragraph 4 Wrap up; reiterate thesis and main points Conclusion

31 Refutation Argument in Action Introduce topic Thesis: Opposition to the wolf hunt in Minnesota is based on misconceptions about wolves’ threat to livestock and humans. Introduction Opponent’s view: Wolves are a major threat to livestock. Body Paragraph 1 Refutation: The number of livestock killed by weather and other natural problems is greater than the number killed by wolves. Body Paragraph 2 Opponent’s view: The wolf hunt will increase public safety. Body Paragraph 3 Refutation: By interfering with wolf pack ecology, wolf hunting likely increases wolf-human conflicts. Body Paragraph 4 Wrap up; reiterate thesis and main points Conclusion

32 Transitions To compare: as well, similar to, consistent with, likewise, too To contrast: on the other hand, however, although, conversely, rather than

33 Conclusions: Wrapping Up Your Argument Reiterate your thesis and the main points of your paper in light of the evidence you presented Answer the so what? question Keep readers thinking Look forward to the future— what needs to happen next? Provide a sense of closure

34 Conclusions: What To Avoid State the thesis for first time Introduce new topics, ideas, or evidence End with a body paragraph Conclude something you haven’t proven Conclude beyond the scope of your argument

35 Tips for Argumentative Essays Begin by identifying a clear, argumentative thesis Base your evidence in research Address the other side(s) Avoid emotional language Analyze the evidence using logic and reason Ask yourself, is this objective? Am I writing as a social scientist?

36 Last Steps Check that your evidence still supports your thesis Check that your conclusion supports your thesis

37 Templates Reference Examples & FAQ Search Function Blog Did you know? Webinar Archive

38 Questions Now: Use the Q&A box on your screen After the webinar: the tutors at