Lecture: Argumentative Writing

1. Lecture: Argumentative Writing The Evolution Begins

2. The Philosophy • To make an impact as a writer, you need to do more than make statements that are logical, well supported, and consistent. • When writing argumentatively, you MUST start with the arguments made by someone else.

3. Rhetoric • Before we can continue, let’s see what you all know about Rhetoric. • Define the next few terms: • Rhetoric • Ethos • Logos • Pathos

4. They Say • To give writing the most important component – namely, a point – a writer must clearly indicate not only his or her thesis, they must identify the larger conversation that the thesis is addressing. • A solid order: Broad Statement, The Source of the Argument, You. • While you all know how to write the Broad Statement and the thesis, the second part may prove problematic. • Sutton’s Note: When crafting an introduction for an argumentative paper, make certain that you do what you need to do, simply, quickly, and perfectly! You only have one chance to capture the audience’s attention.

5. Templates for Including the Source • In their recent work, Y and Z have offered harsh critiques of _______ for _______. • When considering _______, the work of ________ is often discussed. ______’s unique method of handling ______ has helped to shape the debate about ______.

6. Summarizing • Summarization is an art form that many people, sadly, lack the ability to do effectively. • To write a really good summary, you must be able to suspend your own beliefs for a time and put yourself in the shoes of someone else. • If, as a writer, you cannot or will not suspend your own beliefs in this way, you are likely to produce summaries that are so obviously biased that they undermine your credibility with readers. • Sutton’s Note: Keep the yourself out of a summary. It’s the author’s words rephrased into your words; it is NOT the author’s words bent to fit your agenda!

7. Summarizing • Do not try to find a source when you are writing; find your sources before (some exceptions may apply). • Far too often, writers will approach a writing assignment with no direction and no research completed. If you want the argumentative paper to be successful, you have to know where you are going from word one. Such a path may only be found when the writer does the research, First!

8. Quoting • The main problem with quoting comes when authors assume that quotations speak for themselves. Because the meaning of a quotation is clear to the author, many writer’s assume the meaning will be obvious to the reader. Sutton’s Note: The Meaning is NEVER Obvious to the READER!

9. APE • Answer – Establish your argument for the paragraph and lead into the quote. • Prove – QUOTE flawlessly • Explain – Walk the person through the process of reading the quote and arriving at the answer. • If you take the audience through this process, the result is a very rhetorically immersive experience where the audience thinks that they controlled the logical process, when in fact, the writer controlled the process. Still, the feeling of control on the audience’s part makes the experience very persuasive and controlling.

10. You Say • Three ways to respond to an argument: • Agree – Disagree – Agree but Disagree • Where are you going to enter the conversation? • Sutton Note: Disagreement is always easier than agreement; however, disagreement and agreement both require one to temper their own emotions for the sake of objectivity.

11. First person POV • Use “I” in your paper. Enough Said!

12. Skepticism is a Necessity of Strong Arguments • Anticipate and confront objections to your ideas/argument. • When we confront our naysayers, we show confidence in our work while also answering the opposition. • Sutton’s Note: Want to amp up your essay? Be humble and respectful when you introduce the naysayers. Prove that you can be argumentative and respectful. It goes a long way!

13. So What • [Insert Sutton’s Soapbox Here]