Booklady123's List: Argument Writing

• In fact, making an argument—expressing a point of view on a subject and supporting it with evidence—is often the aim of academic writing.
• In writing assignments, you will almost always need to do more than just summarize information that you have gathered or regurgitate facts that have been discussed in class. You will need to develop a point of view on or interpretation of that material and provide evidence for your position.
• Argumentation is not just what your instructors do. We all use argumentation on a daily basis, and you probably already have some skill at crafting an argument. The more you improve your skills in this area, the better you will be at thinking critically, reasoning, making choices, and weighing evidence.
• What is an argument? In academic writing, an argument is usually a main idea, often called a “claim” or “thesis statement,” backed up with evidence that supports the idea.
• stake out a position and prove why it is a good position for a thinking person to hold.
• • Proof that you understand the material, AND
   
  • A demonstration of your ability to use or apply the material in ways that go beyond what you have read or heard.
• Arguments in academic writing are usually complex and take time to develop.
• The strength of your evidence, and your use of it, can make or break your argument.
• Be consistent with your evidence.
• anticipate and address counterarguments or objections.
• By considering what someone who disagrees with your position might have to say about your argument, you show that you have thought things through, and you dispose of some of the reasons your audience might have for not accepting your argument.
• Audience is a very important consideration in argument.
• in most cases your audience will know something about the subject at hand—so you will need sturdy proof. At the same time, do not think of your audience as clairvoyant.
• You have to come out and state both your claim and your evidence clearly.
• Critical reading is a big part of understanding argument.

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