argument

(noun)

An attempt to persuade someone of something, by giving reasons or evidence for accepting a particular conclusion.

Related Terms

  • Slangs or colloquial language
  • refute
  • opposition
  • Using the First Person in Academic Writing
  • C
  • viewpoint
  • colloquial
  • benefit
  • counterargument
  • cliché
  • problem statement
  • Consequences
  • first person
  • author
  • jargon
  • cost
  • evidence
  • AWL
  • thesis
  • audience
  • Meta-discussion

(noun)

In philosophy and logic, an argument is an attempt to persuade someone of something by giving reasons or evidence for accepting a particular conclusion.

Related Terms

  • Slangs or colloquial language
  • refute
  • opposition
  • Using the First Person in Academic Writing
  • C
  • viewpoint
  • colloquial
  • benefit
  • counterargument
  • cliché
  • problem statement
  • Consequences
  • first person
  • author
  • jargon
  • cost
  • evidence
  • AWL
  • thesis
  • audience
  • Meta-discussion

Examples of argument in the following topics:

  • Addressing Opposing Viewpoints

    • When preparing to write a persuasive paper, it is helpful to not only search for materials that support your argument, but also those that oppose your argument.
    • Additionally, addressing arguments that oppose your own within the body of an essay can strengthen the persuasive power of your own argument and provide a useful framework for your paper.
    • In academic writing, the strength of an argument depends largely on the quality of evidence you bring to support it.
    • There are multiple ways to address opposing arguments within the body of a paper.
    • You might summarize the opposition's views early in the body of your paper, and then revisit them with rebuttals after you have presented your side or the argument.
  • Making Concessions

    • If you encounter an objection that is supported by a good argument, you should admit the point.
    • If you encounter an objection that is supported by a good argument, you should admit the point.
    • You can recognize the validity of another author's argument and counterargue it without rejecting it fully.
    • Think about the difficulties or questions your argument is likely to produce.
    • Use arguments that go against your thesis to support your argument by giving opposing viewpoints a fair chance and refuting them thoughtfully
  • Assembling Your Argument

    • 3) Analyze your object and gather evidence to support your claims: find places in the text of your object that support your argument. 4) Do research: review literature that concerns your object and the elements of your argument.
    • Likewise, an ad hominem argument is an argument made personally against an opponent instead of against their argument.
    • You cannot make a good argument unless you have strong evidence in sufficient amounts.
    • Choose whatever forms work best for your argument.
    • That same knowledge will help you understand what you need to include in your argument.
  • Making Your Own Arguments

    • Scientific papers present their methodology and the findings from a research experiment, and then make an argument based on the results.
    • Although this section is called "discussion," in truth, it's where you make your argument.
    • If you find an article you agree with, you can base your argument around refining or building off of that scholar's work.
    • Alternatively, you can base your argument on the counterpoint of another writer's conclusions.
    • Construct an argument based on your findings and make that argument in the discussion section of your paper
  • Understanding the Academic Context of Your Topic

    • Good arguments convince a reader to reconsider previously accepted knowledge or opinions about a topic, also known as the status quo.
    • Academic papers rely on the status quo to inform and support the writer's argument.
    • Because the status quo is crucial to the writer's argument, it is usually included in the paper's introduction.
    • First, it helps readers immediately understand the context of the argument.
    • When readers are informed about the sources used to support the argument, they can gain a better understanding of it.
  • The Importance of Addressing Opposing Views

    • When you consider and counteract opposing arguments, you strengthen your own argument.
    • An argument must, by definition, take a stance on an issue and provide evidence for a particular conclusion.
    • The burden of proof is on you, as the author of the argument.
    • If you fail to neutralize a common objection, readers will have an excuse to reject your argument.
    • Anticipating your opponents' objections can help you structure your arguments more soundly.
  • "So What?"

    • As you revise your paper, ask yourself again: What is significant about this argument?
    • How does the argument align with the concerns of my intended audience?
    • Sometimes, you may find that your argument is too large for the size and scope of the assignment.
    • In the course of your writing, it should be clear to your reader why your argument is important.
    • Employ problem statements to establish the value of your argument, so that your reader knows why your argument is important
  • Representing Objections Fairly

    • Presenting opposing views fairly is essential to good writing, and demonstrates why an intelligent person might disagree with your argument.
    • A straw man argument can make a point overly simplistic, describe an incomplete concept or take a point out of context.
    • Your argument will be much stronger if you present opposing viewpoints in a sympathetic light.
    • The second example presents the argument more sympathetically.
    • Support your argument by thoughtfully and carefully considering the opposing view and presenting it fairly
  • Step 3: Outlining

    • There is no easy-to-follow formula for creating the perfect argument structure.
    • Does it make more sense to do it early on to preempt audience objections, or would you be better off building up your argument before addressing any counter-arguments?
    • Here are some ways to use the outline to make a better argument.
    • Looking at your outline board, come up with counter-arguments and questions for each claim.
    • Once you have the elements of your argument, you need to connect them together in an outline, forming the skeleton of an argument that makes sense.
  • Identifying the Stakes by Identifying Your Audience

    • " To relate your argument to your audience, ask these questions:
    • What are the stakes of my particular argument?
    • Why does the truth or falsity of my argument matter to my audience?
    • Why undertake this argument?
    • You must clarify why your argument has merit and ought to be heard.
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