essay

Argum.Form-Org.YourNotes.doc

Argument Form : How to Organize Your Notes for the Argument Paper

Step 1.

Write your main claim……one sentence expressing one idea that is worth arguing for, reasonable, debatable, and formulated in clear, specific terms.

.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Step 2.

(Reason 1)

a. Provide a reason in support of your point. (This seems to be true because:...)

(Your reason will probably be formulated in one sentence that you will then explain.

b. Suggest evidence to prove reason 1……(at least one piece of: an example, figure, statistic, comparison, explanation, analogy, expert opinion, etc….

Evidence....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

(Reason 2)

a. Provide a reason in support of your point. (This seems to be true because:...)

(Your reason will probably be formulated in one sentence that you will then explain.

b. Suggest evidence to prove reason 1……(at least one piece of: an example, figure, statistic, comparison, explanation, analogy, expert opinion, etc….

(Reason 3)

a. Provide a reason in support of your point. (This seems to be true because:...)

(Your reason will probably be formulated in one sentence that you will then explain.

b. Suggest evidence to prove reason 1……(at least one piece of: an example, figure, statistic, comparison, explanation, analogy, expert opinion, etc….

Repeat Step 2 until you're confident that you have enough support (approxi. Three Reasons + evidence)

Step 3

Formulate the assumptions/warrants/premises that connect your reasons to your claim, at least one assumption for every reason.

a. Formulate as many implied premises as you can (of course, these will be a claim each) ……………………………...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Select the ones that you want to back up and repeat Step 2 for each warrant.

b. Provide reason(s) for each of the chosen one ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................c. Suggest evidence to prove these reason(s)

Repeat a, b, c for all the assumptions/warrants/premises - that you can identify.

Step 3.

Prepare for rebuttal / refutation– identify a potential counter-argument that could be made against one of your points and refute it with a short defense/a short argument in itself to prove that such a counter-argument would not stand to reason, is unfounded, etc. Consequently, this section/rhetorical move will have a claim of its own, a reason (at least) and the necessary evidence to carry your point satisfactorily.

Some might say that: ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

But, in my view, your refutation claim: .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Reason........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Evidence....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Step 4.

Decide whether you want to (or not) qualify your main claim and make the necessary changes. (Maybe all you'll do is insert a qualifier: "some" or "usually" or " under certain circumstances," etc.)

Step 5.

Be ready to start turning your notes into prose.

Step 6.

Be ready to start reviewing the organization of the paper -- what sections need developing; what sections are superfluous or repetitive or simply not helping and need deleting; how many points will you want to refute; how to start the paper, etc.

Step 7.

Be ready to start editing for clarity, transitions, etc.

Always read the paper aloud to yourselves before declaring it done.