Developing your argument

Build your essay

THE KEY AT THIS POINT IN THE RESEARCH PROCESS is to clearly identi fy what you want
to argue (if your essay requires you to take a stand) or evaluate, sometimes called your "line of
argument."
Developing your argument is not always straightforward, so this often becomes the stage
where many of us decide it is all too hard, and skip the planning altogether. But developing the
argument of your essay is not as difficult as it may seem, particularly if you follow the prompts
set out in the following section.
Your aim in developing your argument is to write down the main points or topic areas you
think you will use to support the main theme of your essay. At this stage you are organising your
ideas into loose groupings, so it doesn't have to be perfect. Play around with the ideas you have,
and start to think of your individual or random ideas as parts of the essay as a whole.
If your essay is an evaluation or a compare and contrast, the same general principles apply
since you will usually be taking some kind of a stand regardless of the essay type.
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Ask yourself the following questions
1. What is the basic point of my essay?
What is my overall point of view on this topic?
What is my perspective or position on the essay question?
What do I want to argue?
Your answer to these questions wi ll become the main theme of your essay. Using a single word or
one sentence, write your main theme in the large central circle on the mind map on the following
page. If you are still unsure of your main theme, or you still don't care (!) you might need to read
some more material, or read more deeply and critically before you start this section.
2. What information do I need to include that supports my main theme?
What are the broad general topics I want to develop in my essay?
What topics give the strongest support to my argument?
Your answers to these questions will create the topic of each paragraph in your essay. Generally,
each paragraph should address a new topic. Using a single word or one sentence, fill in the
paragraph topic circles that branch from the main theme circle on the following page. Add or
subtract circles as you need to (check the Quantity Guide in this book for an indication of the
number of paragraphs you should plan for your essay length).
3. What evidence do I need to explain and support the topic of each paragraph?
What informati on do I need to use to demonstrate my point of view to the reader? This may
include stati sti cs, poignant quotes, facts, or theories.
How wi ll I link this information together to logically support the point of each paragraph and
my overall argument?
Your answers to these questions will become the supporting information you use to prove the
point raised in each paragraph. Identify each piece of supporting information on the branches
that lead from the paragraph topic circles on the following page.
I
I,
Topic sentence
BODY FIRST PARAGRAPH
Linking sentence
.'
Topic sentence .
BODY SECOND PARAGRAPH
Linking sentence
"-.. Topic sentence
"\\ :. ,.BODY THIRD PARAGRAPH
)'_ . . -
.. ~ - - .. - , ~ , Linking sentence
. ' '
CONCLUSION
From specific to general statements
End with punch!
I
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Constructing the introduction
and conclusion
THIS SECTION PROVIDES A DETAILED EXPLANATION of the requirements of an
introduction and conclusion. Check out www.theresearchden.com. au for examples of good
introductions and conclusions.
The purpose of an introduction
The introduction launches your essay. It should present the main theme of the essay and also
establish the main points that will be raised in the body of the paper. The introduction is a quick
sketch of what's to come, so don't try and get too fancy with an introduction, just get to the point.
Opening sentence
In the introduction the reader gets to hear what you are going to say for the first time. Your aim in
an introducti on is to catch the reader's attention from the beginning and clearly set the scene for
the discussion that wi ll follow. The first sentence can entice the reader, or lose them completely.
Some writers like to use a catchy quote, a statistic, or an anecdote that dramatically introduces the
topic, but regardless of how you start it, keep in mind that writing has shape: begin with more
general material, and get specifi c and focused on your central theme as you near the end of the
introduction.
State your position and tell the reader what to expect
The introduction should make it clear where you are heading with your argument by stating
your main theme and the major points of your essay. It is also necessar y to briefly define any key
concepts. This is your first chance to say what you think. In one paragraph you want to be very
clear about your position on the topic. The reader should know exactly what your perspective is
after reading the introduction.
Writing the introduction first
There is no reason to begin writing your introduction first if you find it diffi cult. In fact, many
people leave it until last or later in the writing process. Even with the most detailed plan, your
essay may change direction once you begin writing, so if you do write the introduction first , make
sure you check that the content is sti ll valid and accurate in relation to the res t of your essay
before you hand it in.
The purpose of a conclusion
In your conclusion you reiterate your major points. You don't have to think up fancy new words
or ways of explaining what you have already stated in the body of your essay, but you don't want
to repeat yourself either. Your goal is to reinforce and sum up your main points, tying your essay
argument together.
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Do not introduce new material or ideas in the conclusion
The biggest mistake you can make is to introduce new material in the conclusion. You want to
leave the reader with a sense of completion and a clear understanding of your position, not give
them new questions to think about. The conclusion wraps up your argument and you should
conclude decisively with a punch, rather than trailing off on a new thought.
Observe how published authors conclude their work
As you look back over the readings you have done, pay attention to the way the authors have
introduced and concluded their papers. This is a great. way to learn the ar t of a tight introduction
and conclusion.
Keep an eye on the length of your introduction and conclusion
The length of your introduction and conclusion will depend on the length of your essay, so check
the Quantity Guide (page 18) in this book to see how long your introduction and conclusion
should be.
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(
I
Constructing the body
THE BODY OF YOUR ESSAY is everything between the introduction and concl usion. Here, you
develop and build your argument by using the supporting information you have gathered and
analysed during your research.
The following section provides a detailed explanation of the requirements of the body of your
essay, and a blank outline is provided for you to determine what you want to include here.
Develop your argument
The information you want to include in your essay should now be spread out on the mind map
in the previous section. With your mind map you have developed your main theme and sorted
your paragraph topics and supporting information.
Now you need to decide how you will logically present this information in the body of your
essay in order to clearly develop your argument. Ask yourself: in what order wi ll I present my
information so it makes the most sense and builds the strongest and clearest argument?
Many students have good things to say in their essays, but don't present the information in
a clear or logical way. If you want to get good marks, you have to spend time putting together a
solid line of argument
Think logically
Using your mind map as a guide, begin to sort your information into a logical structure. This
involves reshuffling the information from your mind map to present it in a logical way (i.e.
deciding which paragraph will be first, which will be second, third etc). Each paragraph should
logically lead into the next. Play around with the flow of your argument until it makes the most
sense.
Organisation: paragraphs and topic sentences
As a general rule, each paragraph should address a new point: thus, it should be clearly apparent
to the reader when you are moving on to new information. In essay writing, we do this by using
"introductory" or "topic sentences" at the beginning of each paragraph. This is a sentence that
tells the reader what will be discussed next.
Be flexible
Creating an outline of your essay will give you a focus to start writi ng. Once you act ually start
writing, you may find that your plan requires a little adjusting, so don't be too fussy about getting
this plan perfect. Whi le it is important to be comprehensive, your structure is ultimately just a
guide, a plan of attack, subj ect to alterations.
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Know the length of your essay
The required length of your essay will dictate approximately how many paragraphs you need
to include. Check the Quantity Guide (page 18) in this book to get an idea of the number of
paragraphs you will need to ensure you write an essay within the word limit.
Spend time planning the outline of the body
The body is the main part of your essay, so it is important to think about how you want to
present your argument to best convince the reader of your point of view. Well-written and
persuasive essays follow a simple, clearly defined path or structure. Use the outli ne on the
following pages to determine your argument. Remember to plan the number of paragraphs you
need according to the required length of your essay. There is enough space in this planner to
create a structure for essays up to 5000 words.
I
I
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Catchy opening sentence
B. Elaboration of topic moving from more general to specific statements. Indicate main points of
discussion the essay will address
1. First main point
2. Second main point
3. Third main point
4. Etc
C. State the main theme or point of your essay at (or near) the end of the introduction
II. BODY OF ESSAY
A. First paragraph: typically the strongest or second strongest point of your argument or
evaluation
1. Start with a topic sentence introducing this particular point
2. Elaborate with supporting argument
3. Second supporting point
4. Third supporting point, etc
5. End with a linking sentence to the next paragraph's topic sentence
B. Second paragraph: next strongest point in your argument or evaluation
1. Topic sentence
2. Elaborate with supporting argument
3. Second supporting point
4. Third supporting point, etc
5. End with a linking sentence to the next paragraph's topic sentence
C. Third paragraph: format as above
D. Subsequent paragraphs: as above, continuing in this format until you've covered the main
points of your argument or discussion
E. Final paragraph of the body before the conclusion: save your strongest or second strongest
argument or point for this paragraph
1. Topic sentence
2. Supporting points
3. Linking sentence to the conclusion
III. CONCLUSION
A. Start wi th a re-stating of your main theme or point (in different words from your
introduction)
B. Move from specific statements reiterating your main points to more general observations
without introducing new material
C. End with punch, a strong statement backing up or reinforcing your argument or analysis
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Outline of the essay
I. INTRODUCTION
A.
B.
1.
2.
3.
4.
c. Main theme
II. BODY OF ESSAY
A. Topic sentence
1.
2.
3.
4.
S. Linking sentence
B.
1.
2.
3.
4.
s.
c.
1.
2.
3.
4.
s.
D.
1.
2.
3.
4.
s.
E.
1.
2.
3.
4.
B.
F.
1.
2.
3.
4.
B.
G.
1.
2.
3.
4.
B.
H.
1.
2.
3.
4.
B.
III. CONCLUSION
A.
B.
1.
2.
3.
4.
c.
'r
INTRODUCTION
Have you:
started with a catchy sentence, interesting quote, or relevant
stated the central theme of your essay?
defined any major terms?
let the reader know your position?
set a clear direction for the essay?
started with more general statements and ended with a strong statement on your central
theme?
BODY
Have you:
used topic (introductory) sentences in each paragraph?
written clear, to-the-point paragraphs?
kept a logical fl ow?
constructed a logical argument?
regularly drawn li nks to your central theme?
properly referenced your material?
linked paragraphs together with connecting sentences?
CONCLUSION
Have you:
summarised your main theme?
reiterated (in different words) how your evidence supports your theme?
left the reader with a sense of completion?
introduced no new material?
Writing the essay
Writing tips
YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE RESEARCH AND PLANNING! Now all you have to do is
write the essay. Sounds easy, but it can be really hard to stay focused and motivated throughout
the writing process. Luckily, all the information you need to write your essay is here in this book
because you have done the hard work. You can attack the writing of your essay with confidence.
And, just in case you lose focus, the tips in the following secti on have been designed to help you
move beyond any doubtful moments.
Reread the question/ essay assignment
Before you begin writing, reread the question aloud and reassure yourself that you understand all
aspects of the question. It is difficult and frustrating to start writing when you're not completely
clear on what is required by the question.
Free writing
Free writing is where you write without stopping for a specified amount of time, say five or ten
minutes. Free writing doesn't have to make sense and it doesn't even have to be on the topic of
your essay; it's just a trick to get you warmed up and over the hurdle of starting your essay. If you
are still unsure of what you want to argue, it can help immensely to begi n wri ti ng in this way and
explore the topic as you write.
Writing from beginning to end
You don't have to write your essay from beginning to end. You can start with the body or even
the conclusion and wr ite the introduction last. Write whichever way works best for you, keeping
your previously developed ideas in mind. Many writers draft the body first, as it can make the
introduction considerably easier to wr ite after you organise your argument.
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Writer's block
Writer's block is a well-known phenomenon. If you have trouble writing, try not to panic, at some
point every writer faces the obstacle of having nothing to say. You've probably heard all the usual
advice to alleviate writers block: read over your research notes, exercise, brainstorm again, take a
break, eat chocolate, etc. While these methods do help, two of the better techniques to help you
get moving with your essay are:
1. Essay writing needs to be about rewards, not deprivation. If you tell yourself that you have to
sit at your desk for days on end and not see your friends, obviously you will resent the task at
hand and your mind will cramp up. Be nice to yourself; don't make essay writing an exercise in
torturous deprivation. Focus on getting your work done in segments and reward yourself at the
end of each session. Basically, you have to dangle your own reward.
2. just start writing something, anything! Often, the hardest part is making yourself sit down
at the computer. Once you actually get there, even if the first few paragraphs you wr ite sound
terrible, don't worry, you will get on a roll if you persevere, and your writing will improve.
Procrastination
Procrastination is a problem that plagues us all when we plan to study or write. One of the best
ways to deal with it is to eli minate distractions. Turn your phone off, turn the TV off, in fact you
should think about throwing it out the window! Block out any noises or stimulation that will
take your attention away from your essay. How can you focus and digest information if your mind
is preoccupied watching television or waiting for a friend to call? Unfor tunately, your tutor won't
buy procrastination as an excuse if you are struggling with your essay at the last minute.
Save a copy
Don't learn the benefits of saving a separate copy of your work the hard way. Even if you are
typing on your own computer, back up your essay every ten to fifteen minutes and save a separate
hard copy during and at the end of every writing session. Most students can tell you a heart-
breaking story about losing their essay on a computer and having to start from the beginning.
Don't let that be you.
A note on the use of "I"

1n your essay
IT CAN BE FRUSTRATING AND CONFUSING when your tutor asks for your opinion on a
topic but in the same breath tells you that you cannot use the word "I" in your essay What are
they talking about? The best way to avoid the word "I" is to understand how it functions and
sounds in an academic essay
Some disciplines allow you to write in the first person. Even so, by limiti ng the use of "1': your
essay will sound more authoritative and professional. Remember, you don't always need to say "I"
because the reader knows you are presenting the information, so it is intuitive that you suppor t
the perspective and views presented. If your essay is littered with statements beginning with "I feel
.. . " and "I think ... " then you are watering down the power of your language. It's easy to state your
opinion in this way, but there are far stronger, more effective ways to get your point across.
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The first person
Using "I" in an essay is known as writing (or speaking) in the first person, from a personal
perspective. In university-level essay writing you generally start the essay wi th limited knowledge
on the topic, and the more you read, the more you learn. It is by reading that you begin to
gain knowledge, understanding and eventually an opinion. You form your perspective, in part,
through other published authors' views. Thus, your perspective is not based exclusively on your
personal experience. In academic essay writing, we need to rely on expert opinion to support our
arguments and while there's nothing wrong with personal insight, it has to be backed by specific,
expert sources.
Replace "I"
Use the following ideas to replace "I" in your writing. To begin with, it may be easier to start
writi ng using "I" because you have probably had the most practice wri ti ng in this way. Then,
once you have your ideas down on paper, go through your essay and replace or delete the "I"
statements. As you get more comfor table with essay writing, you will naturally develop a writing
style that doesn't rely on the use of 'T
Using "I" Replace it with
I believe ... It is clear that ...
After consideration of both views, I think the foundations After consideration of both views, it is apparent that the
of structural feminism are based on . . . foundations of structural feminism are based on ...
It appears to me that ...
I can't understand ... why postmodernism didn't
change society.
In conclusion, I think that structural femini sm ...
Therefore, I think feminism ...
It is evident that ...
It remains unclear ... why postmodernism failed to
inspire social change.
In conclusion, the evidence presented in this essay
suggests that structural feminism .. .
Therefore, feminism ...
1 1 ~
First draft
CONGRATULATIONS, YOU ARE NOW READY TO START WRITING! The first time you sit
down to write, you will create your first draft. There is no such thing as a good first draft in essay
writing. In fact, your first draft is supposed to be messy. You don't have to complete the entire
essay the first time you sit down to write it, because a first draft is simply getti ng down your
initial thoughts on the subj ect . Don't pressure yourself to get it perfect the first time. Loosen up.
Generally when we sit down to write it takes a while to warm-up and to say anything that sounds
good or makes complete sense.
After this first draft, your essay should, if you have the time, go through more drafts or stages
until it is complete. You will go over and over some sections of your essay, while others wi ll come
out sounding okay the first time you write them. This is a natural part of the writing process.
In fact, the real stages of essay writing are: plan, research, write and rewrite. And rewrite some
more. If you have the time to rework your essay through several drafts, you wi ll notice the areas of
your essay that need help, allowing you to write at your own pace and producing a polished final
verswn.
The following pages have a blank outline for you to write your first draft. Some people prefer
to write straight onto the computer, so use whichever method works for you.
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Introduction
--------- - - - -------- - -
The body
120
Conclusion