| 
  • If you are citizen of an European Union member nation, you may not use this service unless you are at least 16 years old.

  • You already know Dokkio is an AI-powered assistant to organize & manage your digital files & messages. Very soon, Dokkio will support Outlook as well as One Drive. Check it out today!

View
 

Argument Essay Checklist

Page history last edited by David Hodges 13 years, 11 months ago

Minimum Requirements for Arguments

The point of your argument essay is to convince a reasonable reader that your position on a controversial issue is more valid than other valid points of view. The bold words in that sentence make a good checklist for an argument essay writer.

 

Link to the Essays Chart

Link to Argument Essay

 

1    Argument
2   Convince
3   Reasonable Reader
4   Your Position
5   Controversial Issue
6   More Valid
7  

Other Valid Points of View

 

1. Argument

I've said many times that all writing is persuasion and that good writing always persuades readers that your point of view is reasonable. What makes an Argument Essay different is that you expect a large number of readers to disagree with you before you start. Instead of just presenting an idea for consideration, you defend that position with solid and convincing reasons. As you read your essay, ask yourself, If I were a hostile reader, would I find this evidence convincing?

2. Convince

Your language must reflect confidence in your strong position. You don't need to raise your voice, to criticize, or to belittle readers who hold other views. Instead, you present your evidence with quiet, confident courtesy. Your tone indicates that you expect your reader will soon agree with you.

3 Reasonable Reader

You and your reader are not so different. Yes, you hold different positions on a controversial topic, but reasonable people often do. In fact, you probably agree about more than you disagree about. Remind your reader of all that you have in common. It will convince the reader that your position is not unreasonable, only different, and therefore worthy of consideration. The word we is a very powerful lure to attract readers to your point of view.

4. Your Position

Never forget that your position is only an opinion. Of course you feel strongly that reasonable people will agree when they've heard your reasons, but your readers are equally convinced of their own positions and will not react well to being bullied. Avoid categorical statements that attempt to end the debate, such as "Abortion is murder and that's the end of the argument." It's not your job to end the argument. Your job is to advance the argument with good evidence and reasons.

5. Controversial Issue

You cannot write a successful Argument Essay without arguing. That sounds obvious, but writers often fail before they start by offering vague, weak or safe observations instead of strong, clear, controversial positions that require defending. To say that some students come to school unprepared to learn is not an argument at all. To say that students who already feel like failures are not motivated by fear of more failure is an argument. Your Thesis Statement is a direct challenge to readers with different points of view. If it doesn't challenge anybody, it's a terrible thesis for argument.

6. More Valid

If you are defending a very unpopular position, your own strong evidence may not prevail on its own. You may also need to point out the fallacy of other arguments. This is especially valuable if you are responding to another writer's essay. For example: In the essay "A Scary Time to Raise a Daughter," the author insists that advertisers deliberately send the message to young girls that they should be a sexual object. If you disagree, you could write an effective essay that disputes just that one point.

7. Other Valid Points of View

When your position contradicts a very convincing argument for another position, you would be wise to acknowledge it. Otherwise, your readers will think you don't understand the obvious or that you're afraid to mention it. Just one sentence beginning with "Granted" or "Clearly" or "Of course" is enough to dismiss these obvious objections. Then present your contrary position or limit the damage by offering a compromise.

     For example, "Steve Lopez is worried about his daughter. While I grant that his concerns are reasonable, I dispute that today's world is more dangerous than any earlier time."

Comments (0)

You don't have permission to comment on this page.