Choose a Topic which has at Least Two Sides
Choose a subject that allows for the possibility of persuading your reader. Avoid subjects that cannot be addressed in a logical manner and that cannot be proven with evidence from unbiased academic sources.
Analyze Your Audience
Who are your readers? What do they already know about the subject? How are they likely to feel about it? How impartial or prejudiced are they going to be? Can you find a way to present your argument so that they will receive it logically rather than emotionally? Some ideas, especially those based on one’s faith or other strongly held emotional beliefs, cannot be logically challenged or debated.
Choose a subject that allows for the possibility of persuading your reader. Avoid subjects that cannot be addressed in a logical manner and that cannot be proven with evidence from unbiased academic sources.
Analyze Your Audience
Who are your readers? What do they already know about the subject? How are they likely to feel about it? How impartial or prejudiced are they going to be? Can you find a way to present your argument so that they will receive it logically rather than emotionally? Some ideas, especially those based on one’s faith or other strongly held emotional beliefs, cannot be logically challenged or debated.
Make a List of Your Main Points
Jot down a list of the main points you will use in your argument. Analyze each piece of evidence to see how effective it will be in proving your thesis.
Jot down a list of the main points you will use in your argument. Analyze each piece of evidence to see how effective it will be in proving your thesis.
Use Unbiased Sources
Skilled writers avoid writing or referring to any ideas which are distorted, inaccurate, or inflammatory. Argue with solid, reasonable, fair, and relevant evidence. Be as fair-minded as possible.
Skilled writers avoid writing or referring to any ideas which are distorted, inaccurate, or inflammatory. Argue with solid, reasonable, fair, and relevant evidence. Be as fair-minded as possible.
Make a List of Counter Arguments
Make a list of the possible arguments your readers might raise against you. Think of ways in which you can respond to those objections.
Make a list of the possible arguments your readers might raise against you. Think of ways in which you can respond to those objections.
Decide How You Will Structure Your Essay
Decide how you want to structure your essay. You can begin with a thesis and then provide evidence. You can begin with the evidence and end with an assertion. You can discuss your weakest point in the middle of the paper and your strongest point at the end. Which structure seems to fit your subject and evidence better?
Decide how you want to structure your essay. You can begin with a thesis and then provide evidence. You can begin with the evidence and end with an assertion. You can discuss your weakest point in the middle of the paper and your strongest point at the end. Which structure seems to fit your subject and evidence better?
Build To a Memorable Conclusion
Conclusions are what listeners and readers are most likely to remember. Repeat or restate your thesis. Drive home the importance of your argument, and make sure that your conclusion is the strongest, most dynamic part of your paper by calling your reader to action or by stressing the importance of the argument you have made.
Conclusions are what listeners and readers are most likely to remember. Repeat or restate your thesis. Drive home the importance of your argument, and make sure that your conclusion is the strongest, most dynamic part of your paper by calling your reader to action or by stressing the importance of the argument you have made.