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1. Developing an Argument
•A lot of university writing is about presenting and developing a position of
your own.
•The above is called the academic writing style.
•In most courses you will be required to use the academic writing style
•You need to develop the skill through practice, feedback and reading
expositions of successful writers.

2. Qualities of a good argument
•A clear focus
•Personal and critical perspective
•Sound logic (convince your reader)
•Robust evidence
•Objective use of language
•Appropriate use of linking words and phrases to connect the ideas (Coherence).

3. • It is often stated/said/argued/suggested that... However,...
• Some experts would argue that... However,...
• Some experts/X and Y argue that.... Others ...
• Many experts/agree that...
• It has long been assumed that...
• ... whereas/while...
• One the one hand...; on the other hand,...
• ..., yet/but...
• However,...
• While...
• Despite claims that. ..
• It is difficult to justify (the view that) ...
• It is/would be difficult to make a strong case/argument for...
• Another aspect/dimension which may have had a bearing on ..., and which is/
• was not taken into consideration/account, is/was ... IfX were the case, then Y would be true. That this is not the case
suggests that
• other factors/determinants/issues are involved/are responsible for... It is an over-simplification to say/state/argue
that... If this were so,... X alone is insufficient to explain ... It is dangerous to assume that... There is no way of
establishing (whether)... X cannot be judged on Y alone. The success of... cannot be attributed to... It is quite wrong to ...
• In itself, X cannot be regarded as evidence/proof of... It is possible to counter such arguments/the argument for... by... It
is too easy to assume/underestimate the influence/significance of...
• Refuting a viewpoint by first making a concession:
• This argument/view is partially accurate/true; however,...
• There is some truth/credibility in the argument/in the view that...
• With one or two exceptions, it would be wrong/incorrect to claim that...
• This argument has a certain superficial logic, but on closer examination ...
• Whilst it can be argued that..., this alone is insufficient to explain ...

4. How do you make a claim?
•Highlight a problem to which you offer another perspective
or solution.
Note the examples of relevant statements to introduce a
claim/ serve as a preface to your argument.
1. It has been stated/ argued/ claimed that….
2. It is the view of some researchers that…
3. Some people believe that…
4. The position that A is B is highly erroneous.
After the preface the next step is to propose a solution or

5. Stating a viewpoint X
argues that... X suggests that...
An argument often cited in the literature is... X has proposed
that...
Y develops this argument further by stating that... An
alternative view is put forward by Z who states that... P, on
the other hand/in contrast, believes that...

6. Questioning or refuting a view
point
Conversely,...
It is often stated/said/argued/suggested that... However,...
Some experts would argue that... However,...
Some experts/X and Y argue that.... Others ...
Many experts/agree that...
It has long been assumed that...
... whereas/while...
One the one hand...; on the other hand,...
..., yet/but...
However,...
While...
Despite claims that. ..
It is difficult to justify (the view that) ...