Chapter 10 Overview

1. The Norton Field Guide to Writing, 3e, ©
2013, W. W. Norton & Company
Chapter 10

2. 2 of 9Part 2: Genres
1 Clear and arguable thesis (a claim with
which people may disagree)
2 Necessary background information
3 Good reasons
4 Convincing evidence
5 Appeals to readers’ values
6 Trustworthy tone
7 Careful consideration of other positions

3. 3 of 9Part 2: Genres
Choose a topic
that
• Interests you right now
and is fairly small
• Is focused but not too
narrowly
• Has personal
connection to your life
Frame your topic
as a problem
Choose one issue
to write about
Consider the
rhetorical
situation
(Purpose, audience,
genre, stance,
media & design)

4. 4 of 9Part 2: Genres
Explore what you already know about the issue
Do some research
Explore the issue strategically
• As a matter of definition (is there an issue with how people define
this?)
• As a matter of classification (Can you break this into categories?)
• As a matter of comparison (Comparing for a specific purpose?)
• As a matter of process (Should something be done a specific way?

5. 5 of 9Part 2: Genres
Reconsider whether
the issue can be
argued
Draft a thesis
Qualify your thesis
Develop good
reasons
Develop support for
your reasons
Identify other
positions
• Acknowledge other
positions
• Refute other positions

6. 6 of 9Part 2: Genres
• Provide background, and state your
thesisIntroduction
• Give the first, second, and third reasons,
with supportBody - Support
• Acknowledge and/or refute opposing
arguments
• Show how yours is the more sound argument
Body -
Counterargument
• End with a call for action, restatement of
thesis, or statement of implicationsConclusion

7. 7 of 9Part 2: Genres
Reason/opposing argument, reason/opposing argument
Introduction
• Introduce issue
• Provide
background
• State Thesis
Body – Section 1
• Give first reason
with support
• acknowledge
and/or refute
opposing
arguments
Body – Section 2
& more
• Give second
reason with
support
• acknowledge
and/or refute
opposing
arguments
Conclusion
• End with a call
for action,
restatement of
thesis, or
statement of
implications

8. 8 of 9Part 2: Genres
Draft a beginning
• Offer background information
• Define key terms
• Explain your position
Draft an ending
• Summarize main points
• Call for action
• Frame your argument by referring to the introduction
Come up with a title

9. 9 of 9Part 2: Genres
Consider
matters
of design
Get
response
and revise
Edit and
proofread
Take
stock of
your work