Organizing Argument

Organizing Your Argument
Purdue OWL staff

Brought to you in cooperation with the Purdue Online Writing Lab
What is an Argument?
An argument involves the process of…

establishing a claim and then
proving it with the use of
• logical reasoning,
• examples, and
• research.
The Importance of
Organization
Why is organization important in argument?
Guides an audience through your reasoning process.
Offers a clear explanation of each argued point.
Demonstrates the credibility of the writer.

Organizing
Your Argument
 Title
 Introduction
• Thesis statement
 Body Paragraphs
• Constructing Topic Sentences
• Building Main Points
• Countering the Opposition
 Conclusion
Why You Need A Title
Title: (1) introduces the topic of discussion to the audience and

(2) generates reader interest in the argument.
Tip: Use active verbs in titles
For example:
Clean Campus  Cleaning up Campus With Recycling Bins or
Reducing Rubbish: Recycling on Campus
Considering Titles
Imagine you just wrote a paper offering solutions to the problem

of road rage.
Which do you consider to be the best title?

Road Rage
Can’t Drive 55
Road Rage: Curing Our Highway Epidemic
What is an Introduction?
Introduction: acquaints the reader with the topic and purpose

of the paper.
An introduction offers a plan for the ensuing argument:

Introduction: Tell them what you’re going to tell them.
Body: Tell them.
Conclusion: Tell them what you told them
Methods for Constructing
an Introduction
 Personal anecdote
 Example—real or hypothetical
 Question
 Quotation
 Shocking statistics
 Striking image
What is a
Thesis Statement?
 It is the most important sentence in your paper.

 It lets the reader know the main idea of the paper.
 It answers the question: “What am I trying to prove?”
 It is not a factual statement, but a claim that has to be proven
throughout the paper
Role of the
Thesis Statement
1. The thesis statement should guide your reader through

your argument.
2. It is generally located in the introduction of the paper.
3. A thesis statement may also be located within the body of
the paper or in the conclusion, depending upon the purpose
or argument of the paper.
Thesis Practice
Choose a thesis for an argument about the need for

V-chips in television sets?
Parents, often too busy to watch television shows with their families,
can monitor their children’s viewing habits with the aid of the V-chip.
To help parents monitor their children’s viewing habits, the V-chip
should be a required feature for television sets sold in the U.S.
This paper will describe a V-chip and examine the uses of the V-chip
in American-made television sets.
Body Paragraphs and
Topic Sentences
Body paragraphs: (1) build upon the claims made in the

introductory paragraph(s); (2) are organized with the use of topic
sentences that illustrate the main idea of each paragraph.
Tip: Offering a brief explanation of the history or recent

developments of topic within the early body paragraphs can help
the audience become familiarized with your topic and the
complexity of the issue.
Body Paragraphs
Paragraphs may be ordered in several ways, depending upon the

topic and purpose of your argument:
Offering a
Counterargument
Addressing the claims of the opposition is an important

component in building a convincing argument.
It demonstrates your credibility as a writer—you have

researched multiple sides of the argument and have come to an
informed decision.
It shows you have considered other points of view - that other
points of view are valid and reasonable.
Locating a
Counterargument
Counterarguments may be located at various locations within

your body paragraphs. You may choose to:
 Build each of your main points as a contrast to oppositional

claims.
 Offer a counterargument after you have articulated your
main claims.
Effective
Counterarguments
Consider your audience when you offer your

counterargument:
Conceding to some of your opposition’s concerns can

demonstrate respect for their opinions.
Using rude or deprecating language can cause your audience to
reject your position. Remain tactful yet firm.
Research in
Body Paragraphs
Researched material can aid you in proving the claims of your

argument and disproving oppositional claims.
Be sure to use your research to support the claims made in your

topic sentences—make your research work to prove your
argument.
The Conclusion
Conclusion: Reemphasizes the main points made in your paper.
You may choose to reiterate a call to action or speculate on the

future of your topic, when appropriate.
Avoid raising new claims in your conclusion.
Where to Go
for More Help
Purdue University Writing Lab, Heavilon 226
Check our web site: http://owl.english.purdue.edu
Email brief questions to OWL Mail:

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/contact/owlmailtutors
The End
ORGANIZING YOUR ARGUMENT

Purdue OWL staff
Brought to you in cooperation with the Purdue Online Writing Lab

Organizing Argument

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Organizing Your Argument

Purdue OWL staff

An argument involves the process of…

Why is organization important in argument?

Guides an audience through your reasoning process.

Offers a clear explanation of each argued point.

Demonstrates the credibility of the writer.

Title: (1) introduces the topic of discussion to the audience and

Tip: Use active verbs in titles

Imagine you just wrote a paper offering solutions to the problem

Which do you consider to be the best title?

Introduction: acquaints the reader with the topic and purpose

An introduction offers a plan for the ensuing argument:

 It is the most important sentence in your paper.

1. The thesis statement should guide your reader through

Choose a thesis for an argument about the need for

Body paragraphs: (1) build upon the claims made in the

Tip: Offering a brief explanation of the history or recent

Paragraphs may be ordered in several ways, depending upon the

Addressing the claims of the opposition is an important

It demonstrates your credibility as a writer—you have

Counterarguments may be located at various locations within

 Build each of your main points as a contrast to oppositional

Consider your audience when you offer your

Conceding to some of your opposition’s concerns can

Researched material can aid you in proving the claims of your

Be sure to use your research to support the claims made in your

Conclusion: Reemphasizes the main points made in your paper.

You may choose to reiterate a call to action or speculate on the

Purdue University Writing Lab, Heavilon 226

Check our web site: http://owl.english.purdue.edu

Email brief questions to OWL Mail:

ORGANIZING YOUR ARGUMENT

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