HOW TO WRITE AN ARGUMENT PAPER

1)READ:

Read the question and parameters of the assignment carefully for any hints from the instructor as to what should be included in the answer.

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2)THESIS:

a)YOUR THESIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT SENTENCE IN YOUR PAPER.

Every paper must have a thesis. The thesis is a sentence that answers the assigned question. It tells the reader the purpose of your paper and your stand. Spend some time crafting it. Try to reduce it to one succinct and smooth sentence.

b)Every paper has an argument or a reason that it has been written.

A grant proposal argues that you are the most deserving of the money. A literature paper argues for your particular interpretation of a work. A history paper argues a particular interpretation of an historical event or era.

c)Use the question as a guide.

Is it a yes/no question? Obviously you are arguing one or the other side.

Is it asking what are the main factors/points of a problem? Present your interpretation of the merits of these points to the reader.

d)Examples

A good thesis takes a stand and gives an overview of the argument and the major points to be addressed.

Example:

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The revolution of 1905 in Russia was caused by the rising discontents of the working and peasant classes over the poverty and powerlessness of their lives, the general population’s dissatisfaction with the government over the devastating loss of the Russo-Japanese war, and the loss of faith in the tsar as a result of the massacres of Bloody Sunday.

or

Though they experienced great hardship, the Russians were able to triumph in World War II because Stalin became a better military leader as Hitler’s decisions became more erratic, Russian industry recovered as Germany’s lost footing, and Soviet women were mobilized more efficiently in military and civilian occupations.

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A bad thesis is vague about both the question and the course of the answer.

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The problems of 1905 were caused by social, political and economic problems.

or

Many reasons are given for the problems of 1905. This paper will detail some of them.

or

WWII was very hard for Russia.

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2)WRITE UP

a)The Classic 5-Paragraph Essay

The 5-paragraph essay is a good model for an argument paper.

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Paragraph 1: Introduction

Introduce your topic, moving from broadest issues to your specific argument. This is a good place to note differences of opinion among experts or crucial background information. Finish by going to the most specific point -- your thesis. This transitions you from the broad world of the subject to the specific problem you have been asked to address.

Paragraph 2-4: Body paragraphs

Each paragraph should be arguing for your support and how it proves the strength of your argument.

Paragraph 5: Conclusion

Go backwards. From the specific and how you constructed you argument with a reiteration of your main points, to the general as to why this argument is important.

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b)Outline

A paper written from an outline is more coherent and on track.

Using your thesis and the 5-paragraph style as a guide, write out your thesis statement and topic sentences for your body paragraphs and conclusion. A topic sentence is either the first or second sentence in a paragraph and introduces the main purpose of that paragraph. In addition, consider how these topic sentences will transition the reader from one point to the next but still keep them connected to the argument.

Next, find evidence (at least two sub points) to support your topic sentences. If the course has required readings look through them quotations or data that can bolster your argument. Without evidence you are just presenting conjecture.

If your evidence is a figure or quotation, make sure to footnote it. If you are using a quotation, make sure that it is pertinent. In both cases, make sure to explain how the evidence supports your argument.

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4)PROOF READ

a)Does your essay answer the assigned question?

b)Pertinence

Make sure every sentence is somehow supporting a sub point or connecting these to the thesis. Your paper should be more than simply descriptive. Assume your reader has basic knowledge

c)Read the directions again.

Make sure all these minor details are correct to avoid small demerits.

d)Make sure all information fits within the parameters of the question (time frame, geographical location, subject type).

e)Spell check.

f)Read aloud.

Often when we read a paper we skip portions with our eyes and make things coherent when there is content missing. Reading a piece aloud makes you look at every word and really notice problems.