Purdue North Central

Writing Center Handout

 

Argument

 

According to Meriam Webster’s Dictionary (10th Edition), an Argument is “a discourse intended to persuade; a coherent series of statements leading from a premise to a conclusion.” Argumentative writing assignments require students to analyze someone else’s writing in order to take a position on an issue.  Argumentative writing is, by its nature, persuasive. 

 

Before beginning to write, follow these 4 Steps:

 

            Step 1:                                    Choose a significant and controversial topic

 

            Step 2:                                    Research BOTH sides of the issue    

 

            Step 3:                                    Gather CONCRETE evidence on the issue

 

            Step 4:                                    Construct a detailed outline

 

Here are a couple of suggested outline formats[1]:

 

 1)  Block-by-Block

 

Intro                Present the issue; provide background/history/tell a story; clearly state your thesis

 

Body               Devote at least one paragraph to the opposing views and quote experts who disagree with you.

Use the remaining paragraphs to give the details which support your argument and quote experts who agree with you.

 

Concl               Restate your thesis; summarize; end with a strong statement/solution

 

1)  Point-by-Point

 

Intro                Present the issue; provide background/history/tell a story; clearly state your thesis

 

Body               Mention argument against #1; rebut that; mention argument #2 against; rebut that; repeat in all body paragraphs

 

Concl               Restate your thesis; summarize; end with a strong statement/solution

Intro                      Starts with a hook (TV ad); tells a story about the plight of a homosexual couple and hospital visitation; states thesis—gays must not be denied rights.

 

I                              Outlines main supporting points of the thesis

                Main idea:  proposing nation-wide legalization of gay-marriage

                                                a)  easiest way to ensure equal rights for all

                                                b)  government must honor separation between church and state

                                                c)  no cost to tax payers

                                                d)  gay marriage is already prevalent in other cultures

 

II                             Gives arguments against gay marriage (present the opposition)

                Main idea:  There are many arguments against gay marriage.

a)       definitional—marriage is between man and woman

b)       reproductive—concern for children of gay unions

c)       religious—Hebrew/Christian scriptures prohibit homosexuality

d)       judicial—legal options already exist for gay couples

e)       preventative—may lead to child-adult unions, etc.

 

III                           Gives arguments for gay marriage (present your argument)

Main idea:  Reason #1—it is the easiest way to ensure equal rights for all

a)       currently no protection for sexual minorities

b)       Title VII of Civil Rights Act (1964)

c)       Gays/lesbians have 2nd class citizen status

d)       Discrimination of federal Defense of Marriage Act

e)       Gay marriage will prevent discrimination

f)        Federal legislation of gay marriage will prevent child-adult unions

 

IV                           Gives arguments for gay marriage (present your argument)

                Main idea:  Reason #2—marriage must be under separation of church and state doctrine

a)       government legislation must be non-religious and secular

b)       religious dogma defining marriage is a dangerous precedent

c)       example of Catholic church and second-marriages

d)       cite other scriptures condoning slavery and polygamy

e)       Bible cannot be used to set public policy

 

V                             Gives arguments for gay marriage (present your argument)

                Main idea:  Reason #3—legalized same-sex marriage will save money

a)       gay couples reliance on each other will increase

b)       less reliance on welfare, etc.

c)       cite NJ and California studies which calculate savings

d)       medical insurance benefits of spouses

e)       marriage benefits help children

 

VI                           Gives arguments for gay marriage (present your argument)

                Main idea:  Reason #4—same-sex unions already exist across cultures

a)       early-Jewish society

b)       Christian medieval Europe

c)       Anthropological definition of marriage

d)       Gender roles in Tahiti

e)       Native American berdache

f)        Marriage is about securing resources and property

g)       Marriage is a stabilizing force in society

h)       Children from same-sex unions/thriving

 

Conclusion           summarizes main points; returns to intro by mentioning TV; finishes with a thoughtful phrase:  It also affirms the dignity of all mankind.

                               

 

 


[1] See over for an example of a linear outline derived from A. J. Chavez’s student essay, The Case for (Gay) Marriage (The Allyn & Bacon Guide to Writing, 4th ed., pp. 435-39).