1 Module 5 Argumentative Research Matakuliah: G1112, Scientific Writing I Tahun: 2006 Versi: v 1.0 rev 1

2 What’s inside 1.Creating Outline 2.Creating Argumentative Statements 3.Creating Argumentative Draft paper 4.Argumentative vs. Analytical paper 5.Argumentative vs. Persuasive statements

3 Introduction Before you start to make a research paper, you need an outline. An outline is the organizational plan for your paper. You know your starting point: your introduction and thesis/research question. You know your destination: some sort of summative and thoughtful conclusion. But how are you going to get from one to the other? What's your vehicle? An outline doesn't just help you articulate what you plan to say, but also how you're going to move from supporting paragraph to supporting paragraph, how you're going to get where you want to go.

4 Outlines It will help you if you experience these situations: if you can't articulate your paper even in point form, you won't be able to do it effectively in prose and it will take you much longer to write an inferior draft if you do find structural problems or gaps as you outline, it's easier to fix them now than to try and totally revamp a 3rd draft. Outlining is important because: It is all about the crux and direction of substance should things click into place, an outline gives you confidence. It helps you to realize that you do know what you're talking about! outlines make drafting less stressful not only by describing the relationship of your ideas to each other and to the thesis or question, but because you now have small manageable chunks to tackle

5 Outlines Developing an Outline An outline is: A logical, general description A schematic summary An organizational pattern A visual and conceptual design of your writing An outline reflects logical thinking and clear classification. Purpose General: Aids in the process of writing Specific: Helps you organize your ideas Presents your material in a logical form Shows the relationships among ideas in your writing Constructs an ordered overview of your writing Defines boundaries and groups

6 Outlines How to construct your own: The first step to constructing an outline is to take a deep breath. Carefully read the notes you took from the last step. Try to find classifications for your findings that relate to your thesis or research question. Look for common trends. They're going to be separated from each other but gather them together. It doesn't really matter how you classify.notes you took With several piles of related concepts before you, think of other ways of grouping that might make equal sense. Do some more research where needed or see if two "weak" sections just couldn't fit under one stronger heading.research Don't be afraid to re-evaluate your thesis; it may just need a qualification. Your evidence may be great but if it supports a different thesis, your readers won't see how great it is because they'll be expecting something else. Now that you have thesis and support (or research question and answers) fitting together.

7 Argumentative Outlines Working Title (*optional Introductory Paragraph (what do I need to say to set up my thesis?) Thesis Statement (usually including a mention of the main points to come) = _________________________ Transition (you don't have to write these out now but you should know what they'd roughly be) Reason #4 = _________________________ example + explication of how it supports topic sentence Concluding sentence on how (all) the example(s) support thesis Transition Reason #3 = _________________________ example + explication of how it supports topic sentence Concluding sentence on how (all) the example(s) support thesis Transition Reason #2 = _________________________ example + explication of how it supports topic sentence Concluding sentence on how (all) the example(s) support thesis Transition Reason #1 = _________________________ example + explication of how it supports topic sentence Concluding sentence on how (all) the example(s) support thesis Transition Concluding Paragraph sum up what X number of reasons have illustrated re: thesis some thoughts on the implications of what you've just said or shown

8 Analytical Outlines Working Title (*optional) Introductory Paragraph What do I need to say to set up my research question? Background? Research Question (stated within a sentence, not as a question. _________________________ (You may want to outline what's to come below briefly) Transition (you don't have to write these out now but you should know what they'd roughly be) · Answer #3 = _________________________ one possible answer to the question + explication/summary strengths and weaknesses of the position Transition Reason #2 = _________________________ another possible answer + explication/summary (especially how it addresses weaknesses of the previous paragraph or completely counters it). Transition Reason #1 = _________________________ best answer so far ˆ what does it say? why is it a better consideration of the research question? Or is it really? Transition Concluding Paragraph sum up what different angles have shown re: research question critically evaluate what is still needed in the field, or if you looked at three equally strong cases, analyze why one is still more convincing. look at the implications

9 Testing of Hypotheses General Meaning: The determination of whether to accept or reject a proposed hypothesis based on the likelihood of the experimental results. A hypothesis requires more work by the researcher in order to either confirm or disprove it. A hypothesis should be falsifiable, meaning that it is possible that it be shown false, usually by observation. Note that, if confirmed, the hypothesis is not necessarily proven, but remains provisional.

10 Argumentative statements Argumentative Thesis Statements In an argumentative paper, you are making a claim about a topic and justifying this claim with reasons and evidence. This claim could be an opinion, a policy proposal, an evaluation, a cause-and-effect statement, or an interpretation. However, this claim must be a statement that people could possibly disagree with, because the goal of your paper is to convince your audience that your claim is true based on your presentation of your reasons and evidence. An argumentative thesis statement will tell your audience: your claim or assertion the reasons/evidence that support this claim the order in which you will be presenting your reasons and evidence Example: Barn owls' nests should not be eliminated from barns because barn owls help farmers by eliminating insect and rodent pests.

11 Argumentative statements A reader who encountered this thesis would expect to be presented with an argument and evidence that farmers should not get rid of barn owls when they find them nesting in their barns. Questions to ask yourself when writing an argumentative thesis statement: What is my claim or assertion? What are the reasons I have to support my claim or assertion? In what order should I present my reasons?

12 Argumentative Statements What are they and Why do we write them? When most people think of arguments, they picture two people fighting over different viewpoints. Therefore, many of us feel as if the argumentation process is meant to cause conflict rather than resolve it. But, originally, arguments were invented to persuade others to alter or compromise their position on a certain topic. To persuade your audience to reconsider their beliefs, you must, as the writer of your argumentative paper, move them from one position to a different one. So you should assess how resistant your audience will be to your position: Are they a neutral audience that is undecided about your topic? Or are they openly hostile to your stance and refuse to see your side of the argument? Below you will find strategies to write for these audiences so you can convince them that your viewpoint is important.

13 Persuasive Statements Utilize the Three Argumentative Appeals, Aristotle's methods of convincing: Reason (logos), Ethics (ethos) or Emotion (pathos) Reason (logos) - support your general claims with concrete, specific data. –Reason which begins with specifics and moves toward a generalization is inductive. Example: Several clubs have reported difficulty completing their business during lunch period. This proves that lunch periods should be longer. –Reason which starts with a general observation and moves to specifics is deductive. Example: When people hurry, inefficiency and poor communication are the results. Under current conditions clubs must hurry at lunch time meetings. Therefore, lunch period should be lengthened to allow for better club meetings. –Use two or three different strong reasons to support your argument. –Support your reasons with evidence. –Facts - can be proven. Expert opinions or quotations Definitions - statement of meaning of word or phrase Statistics - offer scientific support Examples - powerful illustrations Anecdote - incident, often based on writer's personal experiences Emotional appeals - to provide support for reasons, carefully chosen loaded words, carrying positive or negative connotations, sway readers' emotions Present opposition - and give reasons and evidence to prove the opposition wrong Conclude with call to action - urge the reader to do something Ethics (ethos) - convince your readers that you are fair, honest, and well informed. They will then trust your values and intentions. –Avoid over-use of negatively charged loaded words. Emotion (pathos) - a carefully reasoned argument will be strengthened by an emotional appeal. –Use description or narrate an example, often from your own experience. –Your point of view is demonstrated in an emotional appeal, and is important to the reader. –Careful word choice presents your position accurately.

14 Persuasive statements Examples Wrong: Our computers have 14-gigabyte snufflewhupters. Right: With 14-gigabyte snufflewhupters, you'll finish your work in time to eat dinner with your family. Wrong: Processing your claim is a detailed process that takes several weeks, so we need for you to send us your claim form as soon as possible. Right: We know that you're eager to get your claim check, so we've tried to make the process as fast and easy as possible. To help speed your claim along, all you have to do is fill out this simple form and send it back to us in the stamped envelope we've provided. You can expect to receive your claim check in four weeks. Wrong: Our carrots are loaded with vitamins. Right: You'll be able to see in the dark with Better Bunny carrots.

15 Persuasive statements All good Persuasion includes the following elements: Position Statement, Argumentative Proposition, or Thesis Statement State your opinion clearly, in a sentence or two, within the first paragraph. Define the scope of your argument. (The scope is the situation specific to your argument.) Then make an assertion that's open to debate. Example: The school lunch period should be lengthened to allow ample time for clubs to meet. The assertion includes an element of uncertainty, to be proven to the reader/listener.