How do I begin?
Pick a topic by looking to your own interests first, then to the world around
you. If you choose a topic you feel either strongly "for" or
"against," your job of presenting it will be much easier, since you
have a personal stake in it. Remember: to be arguable, a topic must have at
least two sides. Consider your opinions on the topic and decide which
elements of the topic you would like to focus on. There are three general ways
to approach an argument for or against your topic:
Position Argument #1: If your topic is not well known or commonly accepted, argue for the acceptance of its existence or validity (an exploratory argument).
Position Argument #2: (A) If your topic is known and "stationary," but facing "change," argue for its continued, unchanged existence, or (B) if your topic has recently changed, argue for a return to its original position.
Petition Argument: If your topic needs change or must change, and you have suggestions for that change, argue for the acceptance of your ideas (a problem-solution argument).
After considering your topic, choose one of the approaches to argument.
How do I construct a thesis statement?
You must combine your chosen approach to your topic with the areas you will
cover within the topic—this is a thesis statement. Think
of it as a concrete statement of your goals within the argument. The simplest
formulas for success in constructing thesis statements may be:
Position Argument #1: (Insert topic) must be recognized/accepted (position) because of (insert reasons one, two, and three).
Position Argument #2: (Insert topic) must remain the same/never change (position) because of (insert reasons one, two, and three).
Petition Argument: If (insert topic) should/must be changed (petition), these (insert ideas/suggestions one, two, and three) would be the best changes possible.
An
example of #3 could read:
"If the United States Government believes it must be the world's 'police
force,' to be the best peacekeeper possible, it should follow specific
guidelines in every instance of international involvement, which would include
constant peace negotiations, troop deployment limitations, and limited
'under-fire' retaliation."
Remember: These are only suggested patterns! Create the thesis statement that best serves your need.
How can I structure my paper?
There are three organizational patterns for the presentation of your argument which will lead to success, and one that won't. All of the patterns rely on Support (your side of the argument) and Opposition (the other side of the argument). The Rogerian approach to argument advocates inclusion of an opposition point in your essay. When considering which points from both sides of the argument you want to include, imagine their value/weight/importance on a numerical scale—1 being a weak point, 5 being a middle point, and 10 being a strong point.
Choosing a 1 for the opposition is not a good idea. Do not pick the least powerful point the opposition has, thinking it will be easy to overpower, because you will seem like a bully. Choosing a 10 for the opposition is not a good idea either, for fear that it is too strong a counter-argument and will overpower your support. Choosing a 5 for the opposition is your best bet.
Choosing a 1 for support may not be powerful enough to overcome the opposition, but that is acceptable because you will have many more points of support than opposition. Choosing a 10 for support is always a good strategy. Choosing a range of numbers and arranging them in emphatic order is always the best choice. For example, begin with a 5, move to a 7, and finish with a 10.
The three successful organizational patterns of an argument are:
Introduction / Opposition / Support / Support / Support / Conclusion
Introduction / Support / Opposition / Support / Support / Conclusion
Introduction / Opposition+Support / Opposition+Support / Opposition+Support / Conclusion
The unsuccessful organizational pattern of argument is:
Introduction / Support / Support / Support / Opposition / Conclusion
As the body of the paper (the presentation of the opposition and support) is the heart of the argument, if the opposition is presented last, it may make the strongest, most lasting impression on your audience. This would be a bad thing.
What should each section include?
The introduction should present your topic in general terms, then lead to your angle/belief/argument, which will finally lead to your specific thesis.
The opposition section should address the most common/generally accepted argument against your position. This is where you give the other side its shot--but you want to focus on an angle in their argument which your support can refute.
Based upon your ideas/feelings about your topic, the support sections should present your ideas, then present opinions found in your research which back up your ideas. This combination of ideas must be stronger than the opposition's side, so that your readers will believe your argument.
The conclusion must do more than simply sum up the major points of your argument. Here are two good strategies for writing a strong conclusion:
Offer a speculative look to the future which may strengthen your argument even more. Imagine that everything you have just presented in your paper is accepted and believed by your readers, then touch on the possible future effects of your argument. Basically, expand upon the idea: "If my argument is accepted and people begin to act on it, in one year (or ten, twenty, or fifty years), this situation (insert outcome) may exist."
Another way to strengthen the conclusion is to save the most important/shocking/convincing piece of support for last. By presenting the best piece of support in the conclusion, you will convince your reader that he or she has no choice but to believe in the argument you have set forth.
These two ideas will not only conclude your argument, but strengthen its validity and importance.
Remember: It is difficult to sway readers’ beliefs, values, morals, and ethics. It is especially difficult to sway readers’ minds and hearts in only one essay. Keep in mind that you may not changes readers’ opinions now, but you will plant a seed of information that may someday take root. Do your best in any argument to plant that seed.
Click here to view a list of Persuasive/Research Paper topics used in the past.
Click here to view student-written persuasive papers & here to view student-written research papers.