Finding Ideas to Write About Argument essay topics can can be found everywhere. Check the the headlines of a newspaper, or just listen in to a conversation at your local Starbucks. Chances are, you will hear someone trying to persuade another person to believe in their claim about: •
What caused this
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!ow important is it
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What should we do about it
Stuck for an idea Check out my Easy Argument Topics List.
Topic Ideas Click thumbnail to view full"si#e
!ow important are fathers $ Source
5T ypesofAr gument
Claims of %act: &s it true or not Claims of 'efinition: What does it really mean Claims of (alue: !ow important is it Claims of Cause and )ffect: What is the cause What are the effects Claims of *olicy: What should we do about it
Writing Your Thesis Question/Answer format +o make your topic idea into a thesis you need to turn the topic idea into a uestion first. )-amples: •
'oes divorce cause serious problems for the children fact/
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What is 0domestic violence0 definition/
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What are the causes of divorce cause/
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!ow important is it for couples to avoid divorce value/
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What can you do to make your marriage divorce"proof proposal/
Answer 1our uestion often can be the title of your paper, or it can be the last line of the introduction. 1our answer to this uestion is your thesis. Example: The most important way to make your marriage divorce-proof is to make sure you have carefully prepared for that commitment. !efute "b#ections 1ou might want to put an introductory phrase in the first part of your thesis to show that you are refuting other ideas about the answer. Example: While some people think there is no way to divorce-proof your marriage, studies have shown that there are fewer divorces when people carefully prepare for that commitment. !oadmap: An additional way to make a strong thesis is to do a 02oadmap0 which tells in just a few words the three or more main p oints you will cover. Example: While some people think there is no way to divorce-proof your marriage, studies have shown that there are fewer divorces when people carefully prepare for that commitment by taking time to get to know the other person before becoming engaged, spending time with one anothers family and friends, talking about hot-button issues like fina nces, and getting extensive premarital counseling.
Introduction and $onc%usion Ideas
Introduction Ideas
$onc%usion Ideas What will happen if your solution is 3se a true story adopted or people accept your argument. 2evise the scenario showing what Scenario: imaginary story which will happen if the reader adopts your illustrates the problem ideas. 3se a real"life e-ample of how your Startling uotation, fact or statistic idea works. +ell the reader what they need to )-plain the problem think, do, feel or believe. Appeal to the reader4s emotions, 'escribe vividly character, or reason. %rame story or flashback %inish the frame story. 1ou can mi- and match these ideas for your essay.
"rgani&ing Your 'aper Argument essays are fairly straightforward in their organi#ation. &n your paper, you will need to do the following 5.
&nterest the reader in the situation and make them think it is worth learning more about.
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)-plain the controversy or problem clearly.
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)-plain the sides of the debate.
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+ell them your side.
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Convince them that your side is the best one to take.
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2efute any objections they may be thinking about as they read.
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3rge the reader to adopt our point of view to do, think or believe something.
&. Introduction )-plain the subject, the controversy, and end with your thesis. !ere are some tips: •
3se the title to present your point of view.
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+hink about your audience=what aspects of this issue would most interest or convince them
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Check out the introduction and conclusion chart for creative ways to introduce your paper.
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>ake sure you have a clear thesis which answers the uestion. +he thesis should tell your position and is usually the last sentence of your introduction.
&&&. (ody: )-plains the reasons your audience should agree with your thesis. 1our body needs to also refute objections or other points of view. 5. 2easons and support
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3sually, you will have three or more reasons why the reader should accept your position. +hese will be your topic sentences.
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Support each of these reasons with argument, e-amples, statistics, authorities or anecdotes
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+o make your reasons seem plausible, connect them back to your position by using ?if@ then reasoning
6. Anticipate opposing positions and objections •
What objections will your readers have Answer them with argument or evidence.
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What other positions do people take on this subject What is your reason for rejecting these positions
$onc%usion: >ake a final point which tells the reader what to think or do. •
Why should the reader adopt your point of view
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1ou might use the anticipating objections in the conclusion.
Thr eeSt r at egi es +here are three types of argument strategies: Classical, 2ogerian and +oulmin. 1ou can choose one of these or combine them to create your own argument paper.
$%assica% )trategies E*p%ained $%assica% $%assica% Argument Bood for a topic that you feel strongly about and when you feel you have a good chance of convincing your audience to agree with you. •
Introduction announces subject, gets readers interest and attention, makes writer seem trustworthy
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+arration: gives background, conte-t, statement of problem or definition
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'artition: states thesis or claim and outlines arguments
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Argument: makes arguments to support thesis and gives evidence largest section of paper =the main body/
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!efutation: shows why opposing arguments are not true or valid
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$onc%usion: Summari#es arguments, suggests solution and ties into the introduction or background.
!ogerian )trategy 2ogerian argument strategy attempts to persuade by finding points of compromise and agreement. &t is an appropriate techniue to use in highly polari#ed debates, but you must be sincere about willingness to compromise and change your point of view for the reader to take you seriously. ualities of this strategy: •
The author is !easonab%e *resent your character as a person who understands and empathi#es with the opposition.
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$ommon ,round: )stablish common ground in beliefs and values you shareExample: "s the dominant species, we do have responsibilities.
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Wi%%ingness to $hange: De willing to change views and show where your position could be modified. Example: #t is a good idea to invest in trying to find ways to get information without using live animals in experiments.
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$ompromise: 'irect your argument toward a compromise or workable solution. Example: let$s look for other ways to get information without using animals, but until we do, we probably need to continue experimentation.
E*amp%e of Tou%min Tou%min +oulmin is another strategy to use in a highly charged debate. &nstead of attempting to a ppeal to commonalities, however, this strategy attempts to use clear logic a nd careful ualifiers to limit the argument to things that can be agreed upon. &t uses this format: •
-ata: )vidence presented. Example: %ornography on The #nternet is bad for kids.
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$%aim: the thesis the author hopes to prove. Example: &overnment should regulate #nternet pornography.
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Warrant: +he statement that e-plains how the data backs up the claim. Example: &overnment regulation works in other instances.
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(acing: Additional logic and reasoning. Example: We have lots of other government regulations on media.
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Qua%ifier: +he short phrase usually uses ?typically, ?usually, or ?on the whole/ which limits the scope of the claim. Example: #n most cases, the government should regulate pornography.
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E*ceptions: +his further limits the claim by describing situations the writer would e-clude. Example: Where children are not involved in pornography, regulation may not be urgent.
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$omments ' comments
3irginiaLynne 5F months ago from 3nited States Author
>iranda""&4m so glad this article has helped you. &t really comes from my e-perience in teaching students to write rather than from a te-tbook. >y students have taught me a lotG >uch luck to you on your courses.
iranda)tor 5F months ago from )ngland
+hank you for a really great hubG &t4s now officially on my 4favourites4 bar. & have to do a lot of argument essays at the moment for my course, and & sometimes have a tricky time working out how to structure them " this hub is going to help me so much with making my arguments clearer.
3irginiaLynne 6 years ago from 3nited States Author
!onestly, 'ragos""often the best way to get started is just to write down everything you know, then write down uestions that occur to you. &f you are doing a research paper, you can then start gathering information based on your uestions. & o ften just start by Boogling some of the uestions.
-ragos 6 years ago
& pretty much know what has to g o in an essay but &4m having a hard time planning my thoughts and writing down ideas on a topic.
4athryn L 5i%% 8 years ago from HA
