1. Argument
From Patterns Ch. 16

2. Argument: Definition
An argument is a line of reasoning intended to
persuade the reader or listener that certain ideas
are valid while others are not.
An argument has three essential parts:
 An issue
 A position
 Support

3. Appeals
An argument is based on the use of three different
appeals:
 Emotional (ethos)
 Logical (logos)
 Ethical (ethos)
However, in an argument essay, logical appeals
should take precedence over the others.

4. Argument: Thesis Statement
The thesis statement for an argument essay
should:
 identify the issue
 state your position on the issue
 list the major reasons used as support for your position.
 The thesis statement should also be debatable. You
should be able to create an antithesis to your thesis.

5. Analyzing Audience
 It is important to consider the three kinds of audience
members who may read your argument:
 Audiences who agree with your position
 Neutral audiences
 Audiences who disagree with your position

6. Using Support
There are two main kinds of support in an
argument essay:
 reasons - general statements that logically support your
position
 evidence - outside research that supports your position.
 The most common types of evidence are: facts and
statistics, quotations from authorities, examples, and
personal experience.

7. Dealing with the opposition
 A key element of any argument essay is to acknowledge and
argue against an opposing viewpoint. This is known as
refutation.
 Refutation has two benefits in an argument essay:
 It can expose the weakness of the opposing argument and reinforce the
strength of your own
 It can show that you are being fair and accurate, thus avoiding sounding
overly biased in your essay.