Academic Writing
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EstablishingaThesisandSupportinganArgument_UNIV4995.pptxUniversity College – Senior Project
Establishing a Thesis & Supporting an Argument
What is a thesis?
In an academic paper, you cannot just describe a topic. You have to answer important questions or solve problems. It has to have a point. The main point of an academic paper is called the thesis.
Your thesis should be narrow enough to focus on, but broad enough that you find enough evidence to support it.
So what does that mean? Let’s take a look at a sample.
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What is a thesis?
Read the following introductory paragraph to a brief essay:
Mercedes-Benz is a German automobile manufacturer that produces cars ranging in price from $30,000 to $95,000. The cars are numbered in series, the higher numbers representing the bigger, stronger and more luxurious models. Mercedes-Benz cars, sold worldwide, are considered the best because of their styling, engines and construction.
The highlighted phrase above is the author’s thesis. This is the point he will try to prove with the rest of his paper.
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Supporting an argument
In order to prove your thesis, you must present an argument. An academic argument in not a disagreement between opposing sides, but rather the organized presentation of a viewpoint. You must prove your thesis or claim by presenting reasons and evidence.
Let’s look at our sample essay again.
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Supporting an argument
Mercedes-Benz is a German automobile manufacturer that produces cars ranging in price from $30,000 to $95,000. The cars are numbered in series, the higher numbers representing the bigger, stronger and more luxurious models. Mercedes-Benz cars, sold worldwide, are considered the best because of their styling, engines and construction.
The highlighted phrase above states the reasons that the author believes Mercedes makes the best cars.
Next, he has to present evidence that will convince his readers that those reasons are true and we should accept his thesis.
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Supporting an argument
Let’s take a look at how the author presents his evidence that styling is a feature that makes Mercedes the best:
The styling of the Mercedes-Benz is its most distinctive feature, and is more enduring than the styles of other cars. American and Japanese cars, for example, become outdated within a couple of years after their introduction, but Mercedes styling remains consistent and attractive for decades. The interior styling of a Mercedes is particularly impressive. Its richly padded seats and dashboard and its precision instrumentation give drivers a feeling of security and luxury. Mercedes-Benz places driver and passenger comfort high on its list of priorities.
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Supporting an argument
The author writes a paragraph with evidence supporting his reason that Mercedes’ styling makes it the world’s best car.
He goes on to present evidence in two more paragraphs that Mercedes’ construction and engines are also reasons that they are the best cars.
Please note that we have used a short simple example here so that you can easily see the thesis, reasons, and evidence. In your paper for this class, you will need to provide evidence from relevant and reliable sources such as academic journals, books, and approved websites. You will need to write more than one paragraph to support your reasons.
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Organizing an Academic Argument
Try using the Toulmin Method for organizing the academic argument to support your thesis.
Present your main claim or thesis at the end of your introduction. You may also include your reasons for believing your thesis at this time as the author did in our sample essay.
Take each reason and present your evidence for it in a paragraph or section depending on the length of the paper.
Present any opposing viewpoints and rebut them with evidence supporting your view.
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Hierarchy of a Research Argument This is a visual representation of a thesis supported by reasons and evidence.
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Main Claim
Reason 1
Evidence 1
Evidence 2
Reason 2
Evidence 1
Reason 3
Evidence 3
Evidence 2
Evidence 3
Evidence 1
Evidence 2
Evidence 3
Points to remember
An academic paper must have a point, called a thesis.
You must present your readers with reasons that they should believe your thesis.
These reasons should be backed up by evidence from relevant reliable sources.
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Sources used for this presentation
https:// www.bellevuecollege.edu/asc/writing/essays-guides/documents/analyticalessay.pdf
http:// writingspaces.org/essays/what-is-academic-writing
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/588/03 /
Booth, W., Colomb, G., & Williams, J. (2008). The craft of
research (Third ed.). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
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