ANES 1501 PowerPoint for Module 3

1. Creating an
Academic Argument
Argumentative Writing
&
Compare and Contrast

2. Argumentative Writing
• A reason given in proof or rebuttal
• Discourse intended to persuade
• A coherent series of statements leading from a premise to a conclusion
2Creating an Academic Argument

3. Argumentative Writing (cont.)
• Not argumentative:
A paper describing to readers what
happens physiologically to a person’s
brain when that person eats chocolate
• Argumentative
A paper persuading readers that
chocolate, in moderation, has health
benefits.
3Creating an Academic Argument

4. Professional Argument
• Should be presented “in a professional, non-combative manner.”
• Arguments are based in facts from research (peer reviewed journals, books,
and scholarly websites). Use evidence to persuade your readers
4Creating an Academic Argument

5. Essential Parts of an Argumentative Paper
• Introduction
• Background
• Opposing side(s)
• Thesis statement
• Body of Paper
• Body paragraphs based in evidence from research
• Opposing sides may also be part of the body paragraphs
• Conclusion
5Creating an Academic Argument

6. The Opposing Side(s)
• In an argumentative paper, you’ll need to acknowledge that there are other
viewpoints and research arguing something different than what you’re arguing.
As a scholarly writer, you want to address the opposing side in a manner that is:
-Fair
-Respectful
-Logical
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7. When Writing an Argument
Do Don’t
Ground ideas in evidence from scholarly sources Ground ideas in belief or opinion
(e.g., phrases like “I think…” or “I believe…”)
Support your thesis with facts, statistics, and
evidence
Support your thesis with moral or religious claims
Analyze your evidence with logic and reason Assume your readers will understand your point
with analysis
Address the opposing side(s) Ignore the opposing side(s)
Refute the opposing side(s) with fairness and
respect
Belittle readers who agree with the opposing side(s)
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8. Introduction
• Begin your introduction with a hook—a sentence or two that
catches your readers’ attention and leads in to your topic.
– A statistic related to your topic
– A statement of a problem or popular misconception related to
your topic
– A factual statement or a summary of an interesting event related to
your topic
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9. Thesis Statement
• Encompasses the main point(s) of your paper
• Acts as road map
• Located in the introduction (usually at or near the end)
• Argumentative
– Not a question
– Not a topic
– Not a fact
– Not a statement about the paper’s purpose
– Not a statement about what the paper discusses
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10. Tips for your Thesis
Ask yourself:
- Can someone easily refute my thesis?
- Can I base my argument on scholarly evidence? Am I relying on opinion,
religious belief, or morality?
- Is my argument narrow enough that I can discuss it with detailed, in-depth
evidence?
10Creating an Academic Argument

11. Thesis Analysis 1:
Gamification
• Definition of “gamification”:
• Using game designs and techniques to non-game situations.
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12. Thesis Analysis 1:
Gamification (cont.)
Which of the following is the strongest thesis?
1. Many companies are using gamification techniques.
2. How are companies using gamification to increase benefit employers and
employees?
3. This paper will discuss how companies are using gamification techniques to
benefit employers and employees.
4. This paper will explore the question of how companies are using gamification
to benefit employers and employees.
5. Gamification in the workplace has several benefits to employers and employees.
12Creating an Academic Argument

13. Thesis Analysis 2:
Childhood Development
Which of the following is the stronger thesis?
1. With my new knowledge of Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, I
am better prepared to address the needs of my students.
2. In this paper, I will discuss what I learned about child development in
this course and how I have grown as an early childhood education
teacher.
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14. Paper Organization
Introduction
Thesis
Body Paragraphs
Conclusion
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15. Standard Organization
• Introduction
• Introduce topic
• Present opposing side
• Thesis
• Body Paragraph 1
• Claim 1 (reason thesis is true) and support
• Body Paragraph 2
• Claim 2 (reason thesis is true) and support
• Body Paragraph 3
• Claim 3 (reason thesis is true) and support
• Conclusion
• Wrap up; reiterate thesis and main points
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16. Compare and Contrast Papers
• Point format
• Block format
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17. Compare and Contrast Papers
• Assignment:
Compare and contrast two health issues found in both the United States and another
country. Then, identify a public health program addressing one of the health issues in the
United States, and compare and contrast it to a public health program for the same issue in
the other country.
17Creating an Academic Argument

18. • Introduce topic
• Thesis
Introduction
• Childhood obesity in the United StatesBody Paragraph 1
• Childhood obesity in FranceBody Paragraph 2
• Chronic diseases in the United StatesBody Paragraph 3
• Chronic diseases in FranceBody Paragraph 4
• U.S. school-based programs for childhood obesityBody Paragraph 5
• French community-based programs for childhood obesityBody Paragraph 6
• Wrap up; reiterate thesis and main pointsConclusion
Compare and Contrast: Point Format
18Creating an Academic Argument

19. • Introduce topic
• Thesis
Introduction
• Childhood obesity in the United States
• Chronic diseases in the United States
• School-based program for obesity in the United States
Body Paragraph 1
• Childhood obesity in France
• Chronic diseases in the United States
• Community-based program for obesity in France.
Body Paragraph 2
• Wrap up; reiterate thesis and main pointsConclusion
Compare and Contrast: Block Format
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20. Comparison and Contrast Papers:
What Format is Best?
• Assignment:
Compare and contrast two health issues found in the United States with two health issues
found in another country. Explain how these issues may be influenced by economic
challenges.
20Creating an Academic Argument

21. • Introduce topic
• Thesis
Introduction
• Childhood obesity in the United States
• Chronic diseases in the United States
• How these issues are influenced by economic challenges
Body Paragraph 1
• Bed shortages in France
• Financial instability in the French health care system
• How these issues are influenced by economic challenges
Body Paragraph 2
• Wrap up; reiterate thesis and main pointsConclusion
Compare and Contrast: Block Format (Example 2)
21Creating an Academic Argument

22. • Introduce topic
• Thesis
Introduction
• Childhood obesity in the United StatesBody Paragraph 1
• Chronic diseases in the United StatesBody Paragraph 2
• How these U.S. issues are influenced by economic challengesBody Paragraph 3
• Bed shortages in FranceBody Paragraph 4
• Financial instability in the French health care systemBody Paragraph 5
• How these issues in France are influenced by economic
challenges
Body Paragraph 6
• Wrap up; reiterate thesis and main pointsConclusion
Compare and Contrast: Block Format
22Creating an Academic Argument

23. Refutation Arguments
• Still follow a block format or a point format
• Opposing side will be part of the body paragraphs rather than just in the
introduction
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24. • Introduce topic
• Thesis
Introduction
• Present and support your first pointBody Paragraph 1
• Present and support your second pointBody Paragraph 2
• Present and refute opposition’s first
pointBody Paragraph 3
• Present and refute opposition’s second
pointBody Paragraph 4
• Wrap up; reiterate thesis and main
pointsConclusion
Refutation Arguments: Your Points First
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25. • Introduce topic
• Thesis
Introduction
• Present and refute opponent’s first pointBody Paragraph 1
• Present and refute opponent’s second
pointBody Paragraph 2
• Present and support your first pointBody Paragraph 3
• Present and support your second pointBody Paragraph 4
• Wrap up; reiterate thesis and main
pointsConclusion
Refutation Arguments: Opposing Side First
25Creating an Academic Argument

26. • Introduce topic
• Thesis
Introduction
• Present opponent’s first pointBody Paragraph 1
• Present and support your first point
(your counter argument)Body Paragraph 2
• Present opponent’s second pointBody Paragraph 3
• Present and support your second point
(your counter argument)Body Paragraph 4
• Wrap up; reiterate thesis and main
pointsConclusion
Refutation Arguments: Point Format
26Creating an Academic Argument

27. • Introduce topic
• Thesis: Opposition to the wolf hunt in Minnesota is based on misconceptions
about wolves’ threat to livestock and humans.
Introduction
• Opponent’s view: Wolves are a major threat to livestock.Body Paragraph 1
• Refutation: The number of livestock killed by weather and other
natural problems is greater than the number killed by wolves.Body Paragraph 2
• Opponent’s view: The wolf hunt will increase public safety.Body Paragraph 3
• Refutation: By interfering with wolf pack ecology, wolf hunting likely
increases wolf-human conflicts.
Body Paragraph 4
• Wrap up; reiterate thesis and main pointsConclusion
Refutation Arguments in Action
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28. Transitions
• To compare: as well, similar to, consistent with, likewise, too
• To contrast: on the other hand, however, although, conversely, rather than
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29. Conclusions: Wrapping Up Your Argument
• Reiterate your thesis and the main points of your paper in light of the
evidence you presented
• Answer the so what? question
• Keep readers thinking
• Look forward to the future—what needs to happen next?
• Provide a sense of closure
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30. Conclusions: What To Avoid
• State the thesis for first time
• Introduce new topics, ideas, or evidence
• End with a body paragraph
• Conclude something you haven’t proven
• Conclude beyond the scope of your argument
30Creating an Academic Argument

31. Tips for Argumentative Essays
• Begin by identifying a clear, argumentative thesis
• Base your evidence in research
• Address the other side(s)
• Avoid emotional language
• Analyze the evidence using logic and reason
• Ask yourself, is this objective? Am I writing as a social scientist?
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32. Last Steps
• Check that your evidence still supports your thesis
• Check that your conclusion supports your thesis
32Creating an Academic Argument