How to Write an Argumentative Essay
Writing Your Argument Essay
Now that you are familiar with techniques for analyzing an argument, it is time to discuss techniques that will help you write effective critique. Again, you will have 30minutes to complete this portion of the test and, luckily, there are only 5 steps you need to take. As with the Analysis of an Issue section, we will create some formulas to simplify the task. Plugging information into these formulas will help you organize your ideas and prepare you for your critique.
Step 1- Understanding the Argument
Remember that your goal in the Argument section is to analyze the given argument. You cannot effectively analyze the argument until you completely understand it. To understand the argument, first read it and then answer the following question. Keep in mind that you have a short amount of time, so spend more time mulling over the questions than jotting down notes. If you do write notes, make sure they are just short words and phrases that will help you formulate a plan, not long notations that will take time to write and then review.
Identify the conclusion.
What premises does the author to support the conclusion?
What fallacies or flaws do you recognize in the argument?
What assumptions are made in the argument?
What does the argument fail to address?
What necessary evidence is omitted from the argument?
Step 2- Developing Your Thesis
Your thesis statement will set up your entire essay by letting the reader know what direction your critique will take. It will also provide you with a blueprint by which you can organize your essay.
ANALYSIS OF AN ARGUMENT THESIS (formula1):
The argument that__________________________________________________ creates several problems because 1) it assumes that____________________________ , 2) it fails to address___________________________, 3) it omits the following important evidence:__________________.
Step3- Organizing Your Thoughts
Once you have formulated the thesis, it is time to
Now that you are familiar with techniques for analyzing an argument, it is time to discuss techniques that will help you write effective critique. Again, you will have 30minutes to complete this portion of the test and, luckily, there are only 5 steps you need to take. As with the Analysis of an Issue section, we will create some formulas to simplify the task. Plugging information into these formulas will help you organize your ideas and prepare you for your critique.
Step 1- Understanding the Argument
Remember that your goal in the Argument section is to analyze the given argument. You cannot effectively analyze the argument until you completely understand it. To understand the argument, first read it and then answer the following question. Keep in mind that you have a short amount of time, so spend more time mulling over the questions than jotting down notes. If you do write notes, make sure they are just short words and phrases that will help you formulate a plan, not long notations that will take time to write and then review.
Identify the conclusion.
What premises does the author to support the conclusion?
What fallacies or flaws do you recognize in the argument?
What assumptions are made in the argument?
What does the argument fail to address?
What necessary evidence is omitted from the argument?
Step 2- Developing Your Thesis
Your thesis statement will set up your entire essay by letting the reader know what direction your critique will take. It will also provide you with a blueprint by which you can organize your essay.
ANALYSIS OF AN ARGUMENT THESIS (formula1):
The argument that__________________________________________________ creates several problems because 1) it assumes that____________________________ , 2) it fails to address___________________________, 3) it omits the following important evidence:__________________.
Step3- Organizing Your Thoughts
Once you have formulated the thesis, it is time to