The document outlines the fundamentals of constructing an argument, emphasizing that it is not merely a disagreement or question, but a statement supported by evidence. It illustrates this through examples comparing the merits of cats and dogs as pets and analyzes an argument made by Eyal Press about prison guards, highlighting the importance of complexity and clarity in arguments. Additionally, it includes instructions for an exercise to help students articulate their own arguments about 'dirty work' and offers resources for further assistance.

1. How to make
an Argument
Prof. Julia Miele Rodas
Bronx Community College / CUNY
Fall 2021

2. What IS an
argument?
Not this.
An argument is not
just people fighting
or disagreeing.

3. Is chocolate actually
poisonous?
What IS an
argument?
Not a question.
An argument is not
just asking a
provocative question,
even if the answer
seems obvious.

4. What IS an
argument?
A written argument or
an academic argument
takes a position and
uses evidence to try to
convince others.

5. Here’s a very simple
version…

6. Cats make better pets than dogs.
why?
cats are cleaner
cats are more independent
dogs are much more work

7. Or, to be fair …

8. Dogs make better pets than cats.
why?
dogs are loyal
dogs are better companions
cats don’t even like humans

9. Now … let’s try it out …
… using Eyal Press’ argument as an example.

10. Prison
guards are
bad people.
 makes a clear
statement.
 shows an
opinion.
 is NOT a
question!
It might seem as though
Press is arguing that
corrections officers are bad
people …
This COULD be a thesis because it …

11. Prison guards
are bad
people.
… this is also a little TOO simple.
It doesn’t give any explanation or reason.
Let’s try again …
But …

12. Prison guards
must be bad
people because
they are willing
to do work
that’s
fundamentally
harmful to
others.
 More complex
 Includes
explanation
Press does point out that
corrections officers cause
harm, but this is NOT the
main idea of his argument.

13. The harm
caused by
corrections
officers also
results in
self harm.
 More complex
 Includes
explanation
Press has a rich, complex
argument.

14. Because of the complexity of Press’s
argument, he needs to make his case
in stages; it’s too big to communicate
all at once .
“Good people” might
think they are morally
pure, but they are
partly responsible for a
larger system that
causes terrible harm,
including “moral injury”
to “dirty” workers.

15. 1. Makes a clear statement.
2. Shows an opinion.
3. is NOT a question!
4. Includes basic explanation.

16. What does “dirty work” look
like? Or, who does “dirty
work”?
Take and upload your own
photo of any workplace or
person working.
Describe the photo and
explain why you think the
picture represents is “dirty
work” or not.
Before we build up to more complex
forms of argument, we have an
exercise this week that gets us
started making our own argument
about WHAT “dirty work” is …

17. Need more help?
Prof. Rodas says …
thanks for studying!
 watch the video of our
Zoom instructional
session
 text Julia for a one-on-one
meeting
 make an appointment to
work one-on-one with a
FREE Writing Tutor