Write Your Conclusion

Yaw conclusion should state your convicti

1" and he»?! your audience what action you would like them m take3a

me main points in your introduction.

on strongly R

Basic Components of an Argument

The ciaim (typically answers the question: “What do I thirfk7n3 Q“ The reasons (typically answer the
question: “Why do i thmk 5° ‘ 2 is m g The evidence (typicauy answers the question: “How do i Know
this .. ¢ .. 0386?”) ’

Introduction: Give the context and background of Wm issue~ Establ'lSh the style. tone. and signiticance
of your issue.

2. State Your Case: Clarify your issue here. Give any necessary background for understanding the issues.
Detine important terms 0‘

conditions here.

3. Proposition: State your central proposition. Be sure that your .hook presents an issue that is open to
debate. Present the subtoprcs or .
supportive points to forecast your argument for your reader.

' ition’s argument and summarize it; refute 4. RefuratlonAnalyzo the opoos . . i or address the pomts;
pornt out faulty reasoning and inappropnat‘e i

appeals.

5. Substantiation and Proof. Present and develop you: 0W“ :2?” Carefully plan your disclosure; avmd
Iogm! fanacies. Re“! 23‘ use on reasomng for your appeal and use emotional appeals care myosing
examples, facts, experts. and statisucs. Deveiop your orgumpa‘ism, the appropriate prose strategy, e.g.,
causal ana‘ws: 0° analogies, or definitions.

‘ ' ' ' m main points and nclude With oonvncnon. Rewew yo ‘ . 6. scé?::<f£nol:ir$ls strongly. Make a
strong p|ea tor acuon. 0t mvxte your readers to refute your argument.

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Argument

An argument is a main idea or thesis presented in a text, and for which the author will present evidence
throughout the text.

Typically, we talk of argument when we talk of persuasive or argumentative writing. In a persuasive

essay or speech, the author presents an argument or claim, and then attempts to convince us that he or
she is right.

However, some literary texts also make claims or statements, as well.

Examples of Argument:
President presents an argument for why Congress should approve military action, laying out reasons and
evidence to support such a move.

Teenage girl presents an argument to her parents regarding why she needs a cell phone that will allow
her to text and use the internet.

Lawyer presents an argument in his opening statement that details why his client is innocent.

Businessman writes a proposal for a new product line, arguing that the new line will be popular and will
make the company money.

Examples of Argument in Literature

From Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice:

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in
want of a wife."

From Charles Dickens' David Copperfield:

Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody
else, these pages must show.

I When making an argument for or against something. there are three argumentative appeals: logical,
ethical, and emotional.

I Strong arguments have a balance of all of three.

I While logical appeal is essential for a strong, valid argument, appeals can be misused, creating
arguments that are not

credible.

Logical Appeal

I Logical appeal is the

strategic use of logic, ‘ 0 claims. and evidence

to convince an

audience of a certain

point.

Emotional Appeal

Not surpnsingly. emouanal appeals target the emotions ot the reader to create some kind 0! connectnn
wnth the writer.

Since humans are in many ways emotional creatures. emotional appeal can be a very powerful strategy
In atgument.

For this same reason. however. emotional appeal is often m:sused...sometnmes to Intentionally mislead
readers 0! to hide an argument that is weak in logical appeal.
A lot of visual appeal is emotional in nature (think of advertisements. wuth their powertul imagery.
colors, tonts. and symbols).

Ethos: an appeal to credibility or authority (ex: source)

An appeal to ethics, and it is a means of convincing someone of the character or

credibility of the persuader.

Logos: an appeal to reason, logic (ex: facts, statistics)

An appeal to logic, and is a way of persuading an audience by reason.

Pathos: an appeal to emotions (ex: vivid language, imagery)