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Writing Arguments
College Composition 2
Colorado State University Writing GuideWriting Arguments p/t 3 ppt
Created by Stan Proctor, MEd.
W r i t i n g A r g u m e n t s
Compel the Audience to Listen
What can you say that will make your audience want to
hear more?
Answer the questions “so what”, “who cares”, or “why should I listen”? (15)
W r i t i n g A r g u m e n t s
Invoke a Truism
Begin with something that you and your audience can
agree about.
“We can all agree that we don’t need more of the same.”
W r i t i n g A r g u m e n t s
Statistic or Quote
Provide a statistic or quote that will appeal to the
audience.
Be sure it directly relates to the issue at hand.
W r i t i n g A r g u m e n t s
No Place for Sarcasm
Arguments are ineffective when the writer is sarcastic
or presents an unsubstantiated opinion.
Two things will kill and argument: lack of evidence and a bad
attitude.
W r i t i n g A r g u m e n t s
Identify a Common Concern
Show the audience that they already care about an issue.
If addressing “prayer in school”, identify it with
freedom of speech.
W r i t i n g A r g u m e n t s
Use Anecdotes
Invoke sympathy with a short narrative of your own or
from research, which highlights the issue.
Anecdotes can be a good source of support for your argument.
W r i t i n g A r g u m e n t s
Demonstrate (18)
Show how your argument adds to, reframes, redefines,
or offers a new solution to an issue.
W r i t i n g A r g u m e n t s
Epigrams
Epigrams are simple block quotes that can highlight an
important issue.
Be careful not to over use.
W r i t i n g A r g u m e n t s
Common Ground
What is it everyone can agree on?
Establishing a connection in some way with your audience builds your
credibility before them.
W r i t i n g A r g u m e n t s
Emotional Appeals
Connect with your audience emotionally.
Touch their heart-strings; appeal to their sense of
compassion.
W r i t i n g A r g u m e n t s
Present a Solution
Connect your argument to a larger issue.
Your logic should be presented in the pattern of
an inverted pyramid.Begin broad in the intro and become more
specific as you approach your claim.
W r i t i n g A r g u m e n t s
Present a Solution
Claim.
W r i t i n g A r g u m e n t s
Clarify or Define the Problem
Usually used in social sciences but not limited to
those disciplines.
Always define and clarify any terms or phrases used to avoid
misunderstandings. (22)
Works Cited
"Parts of an Argument." Writing Guide. Colorado State University. 3 Mar.
2009 <http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/documents/argueparts/
index.cfm>.
Created by Stan Proctor, MEd.
Writing Arguments
College Composition 2
Writing Arguments p/t 3.ppt
Created by Stan Proctor, MEd.
