Argumentation Concepts

Elements of a Formal Argument

what distinguishes a formal argument from informal is its level of formality and conventions about the way an argument should be conducted and the types of evidence that will convince an audience

 there are 5 elements of an argument, for both written and spoken contexts
1. A Clear Statement of Position sometimes called a thesis statement or claim the most essential part of an argument text because everything that is included in the text must refer back to it or support it in some way

2. Introduction important in setting up readers expectations without turning them off the beginning of an argument text is where the reader makes many judgement about you and the topic your goal is to answer the questions that might appear in your audiences mind particularly why a reader should continue reading or listening

3. Evidence or Proof the bulk of an argumentative text is concerned with proving to the audience that a writers argument is convincing, founded in fact, logical and able to stand up to opposing opinions eg. of types of proof: surveys, case studies, statistics, interviews, popular magazines

4. Conclusions conclusions to argument essays must fulfil certain functions: - summarise the logic of the argument so that the point seems indisputable or - present the next step

5. Citations part of convincing your readers that you are an ethical arguer is the proper documentation of any and all information that is not your own this includes facts and figures, paraphrases, opinions and quotes you have discovered through other sources

Framing a Thesis
many arguments fail because the writer/speaker and his/her audience see the issue differently issues can be easily misinterpreted, hence must carefully limit your issue and define all terms good theses respond to a question, issue, controversy problem the best way to develop a thesis is to think first about the problem

What is a Thesis Statement?

an assertion or claim about your topic, something you claim to be true a topic along makes no claim; it merely defines an area to be covered

thesis statement = specific topic + your assertion /claim

A thesis statement must: (a) contain an arguable point must not simply make an observation but must assert a point that is arguable (b) control the entire argument determines what you are required to say and what you cannot say the thesis is like a contract between you and your reader

 if you introduce ideas that the reader is not prepared for, you have violated the contract (c) provide a structure for your argument either directly or indirectly suggest to your audience