This document provides guidance on writing an argumentative essay, including: 1. The key components of an effective argument are a clear thesis, background information, reasons supported by evidence, appealing to the audience's values, a trustworthy tone, and consideration of other positions. 2. When choosing a topic, it should interest the writer, be fairly narrow in scope, have a personal connection, and be framed as a problem to argue. 3. The writing process involves exploring what is already known about the issue, researching it further, reconsidering the thesis, developing reasons and support for both the writer's position and opposing arguments.

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