Classic Model for an Argument No one structure fits all written arguments.

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Classic Model for an Argument No one structure fits all written arguments. However, most college courses require arguments that consist of the following elements. Below is a basic outline for an argumentative or persuasive essay. This is only one possible outline or organization. Always refer to your handbook for specifics. I. Introductory Paragraph o Yourintroductoryparagraphsetsthestageorthecontextforthepositionyouarearguingfor. o Thisintroductionshouldendwithathesisstatementthatprovidesyourclaim(whatyouare arguing for) and the reasons for your position on an issue. A. Your thesis: o stateswhatyourpositiononanissueis o usuallyappearsattheendoftheintroductioninashortessay o shouldbeclearlystatedandoftencontainsemphaticlanguage(should,ought,must) B. Sample Argumentative Thesis o Theproduction,sale,andpossessionofassaultweaponsforprivatecitizensshouldbe banned in the U.S. II. Body of your Argument A. Background Information o Thissectionofyourpapergivesthereaderthebasicinformationheorsheneedsto understand your position. This could be part of the introduction, but may work as its own section. B. Reasons or Evidence to Support your Claim o All evidence you present in this section should support your position. This is the heart of your essay. Generally, you begin with a general statement that you back up with specific details or examples. Depending on how long your argument is, you will need to devote one to two well-developed paragraphs to each reason/claim or type of evidence. o Typesofevidenceinclude: • first-hand examples and experiential knowledge on your topic (specific examples help your readers connect to your topic in a way they cannot with abstract ideas) • Opinions from recognized authorities • The tipsheet on the three logical appeals covers the types of evidence you can use in argumentation. 1. Claim: Keeping assault weapons out of private citizens’ hands can lower the increasing occurrences of barbaric public slayings • Evidence: o Jul93Lawfirmmurders o ColumbineSchoolShootings o UniversityofVirginiaincident o Howdidtheseindividualsgainaccesstoweapons? 2. Claim: The ban on assault weapons is backed heavily by public opinion, major organizations, and even law enforcement. • Evidence: o 12%favorban(Much92TimetableNews) o Organizationalendorsements o Nat’lSherriff’sAssoc./lntn’lAssoc.ofPoliceChiefs 3. Claim: The monetary and human costs incurred by crimes committed with assault weapons are too great to ignore. • Evidence: o 10,561murdersin1990byhandguns o Studyof131injuredpatients’medicalexpensespaidbypublicfunds III. Addressing the Opposite Side o Anywell-writtenargumentmustanticipateandaddresspositionsinoppositiontotheone being argued. o Pointingoutwhatyouroppositionislikelytosayinresponsetoyourargumentshowsthat you have thought critically about your topic. Addressing the opposite side actually makes your argument stronger! o Generally,thistakestheformofaparagraphthatcanbeplacedeitheraftertheintroduction or before the conclusion. A. 1st Opposing View: Strict gun control laws won’t affect crime rate • Refutation: Low murder rate in Britain, Australia (etc., where strict controls are in force. B. 2nd Opposing View: Outlaws would still own guns • Refutation: Any effort to move trend in opposite direction would benefit future generations IV. Conclusion o The conclusion should bring the essay to a logical end. It should explain what the importance of your issue is in a larger context. Your conclusion should also reiterate why your topic is worth caring about. o Someargumentsproposesolutionsormakepredictiononthefutureofthetopic. o Showyourreaderwhatwouldhappenifyourargumentisorisnotbelievedoracteduponas you believe it should be.