Chapter 8 Hamnes
Chapter 8: How Do We Develop and Organize Arguments
- Although we can structure claims, support, and linkages in many different ways, we design a deliberate plan for developing an argument so that we put everything in its place for a reason.
Organizing Rhetorically
- What's my purpose? What am I really trying to accomplish in this essay
- What kind of audience will read this? Will readers likely resist or welcome my ideas?
- How are the arguments that I've read in this discipline typically organized? What kind of organization will my readers expect? Do I want to meet these expectations or surprise my audience?
- Am I conducting original research, such as collecting data or conducting experiments? How will I organize and present my results?
Arguments about Policy
- We use this kind of structure when we write a proposal argument, which
1. describes a problem
2. presents solutions, and
3. justifies a course of action.
The Scholarly Model
1. Introduction
- Identify the controversy, problem, or research question and its significance and relevance (catalyst).
- Establish your qualifications to write about the topic.
- Create common ground with readers.
- Demonstrate fairness.
- Arouse readers' attention and interest, often with an example or a personal narrative.
- State or imply the thesis.
- Forecast the structure of the argument.
2. Background
- Summarize important sources and research on the subject.
- Describe the subject's history and its theoretical foundation.
- Give and overview of the situation or problem.
- Explain the process you used to answer a research question or study a problem.
3. Support
- Present verification, evidence, and illustrations that support the thesis, ordered in a clear and thoughtful pattern.
- Explicitly link subclaims and support back to the thesis.
- Report and tabulate data and results gathered through investigation, sometimes using figures and charts.
- Analyze, interpret, and apply research findings.
4. Consideration of alternative arguments
- Examine alternative points of view.
- Note advantages and disadvantages of alternative positions.
- Acknowledge limitations of your research or viewpoint.
- Explain why your argument is better.
5. Conclusion
- Briefly summarize and synthesize the overall argument.
- Identify the implications of research findings.
- Make clear what readers should think or do.
- Add a strong emotional or ethical appeal.
- Raise questions for further research.