Thesis and arguments

• Argument is central to academic work and forms the basis of many of the texts you will encounter while studying
• Dr Julius: 'Understanding academic argument'
• Academic argument


  We argue to examine our own and others’ ideas carefully and critically
• Argumentation


  Arguing for a certain position by offering strong evidence, considering the audience, and refuting the opposing argument
• The goal of argument is to persuade your reader
• Differences of opinion are the means by which human knowledge develops
• Making an argument


  When your opinion is supported with suitable evidence or reasons
• It is essential to follow argument to be an effective reader and writer of academic texts
• Understanding argument for reading purposes

  • Identify the writer’s position
  • Identify ways the author provides support
  • Evaluate the support given
• Argument encourages us to

  • Think about issues
  • Understand issues without emotion or bias
  • Discern contradictory claims
  • Form opinions about evidence
  • State thoughts plainly
  • Consider other people’s ideas
• Critical reading


  A central part of understanding argument
• Questions to ask when reading

  What is the author trying to convince me of?<|>Is the writer assuming I will agree?<|>Do I agree with the writer?<|>Does the author provide enough evidence?<|>What kind of evidence does the author use?
• Understanding argument for writing purposes


  Ask yourself: ‘What is my point or claim?’
• If assignments do not have a main claim, they cannot be arguing for anything
• Lecturers are looking for evidence that shows understanding of the material
• Important points for formulating your proposition statement

  • It should be debatable
  • It should not be self-evident
  • It should not claim something that is only a matter of opinion
  • It should be expressed clearly and precisely
• The components of an argument are claim, evidence, and counter-argument
• Components of evidence


  • Facts
  • Expert opinions
  • Definitions
  • Statistics
  • Examples
• Characteristics of strong evidence

  • Sufficient amount
  • Comprehensive
  • Current and relevant
  • Verifiable
  • Dependable authority
  • Distinctive experience
  • Trustworthy statistics
  • Right connections made
• Fact


  A statement that can be verified
• Opinion


  A statement of interpretation and judgement
• Types of evidence


  • Checks strong argument
  • Avoid excessive emotive language
  • Avoid generalisation and absolute statements
  • Avoid assumptions
• Excessive emotion can make an argument superficial and biased
• Generalisation and absolute statements

  Avoid words like ‘all’, ‘always’, ‘never’
• Assumptions are unstated pieces of information that the writer takes for granted
• Examples of qualifying words


  • Usually
  • Often
  • Many
  • Some
  • Occasionally
• When constructing a proposition statement, use qualifying words to avoid generalisations
• Examples of appropriate/inappropriate statements for proposition