How to Structure an Argument

The Classical Greek argumentative structure is powerful because it covers all of the bases in an argument. In order to ensure that you have a strong argument use the following structure. There are other ways to structure an argument, but this is the most common and expected in academia.

Structure Example:

Title: A brief indication of your main claim and main lense.

Introduction 1-2 paragraphs tops

Gains readers’ interest and willingness to listen
What do we need to know in order to understand your claim?
States your claim (thesis) - debatable and controversial statements you hope to prove

Background 1-2 paragraphs tops

Presents information that’s important to your argument.
Lays the foundation for proving your argument.
Will often include: key terms and an explanation of key theories.

Line of Reasoning: as many paragraphs as you need -- minimum of 3

Purpose: to prove your argument and present your lines of reasoning.
Topic Sentence: A subclaim or reason that supports your thesis or main claim. Explain the topic sentence: If your topic sentence needs explanation or elaboration to be clear, do so here.
Introduce Evidence: Introduce your evidence in either a few words (As Dr. Brown states….) or a complete sentence (To understand this issue we first need to look at specific ) This is where you will emphasize the reliability of your sources. Make sure credibility is specific, not vague and use active voice: “In a report on criminal activity, it was found that….” is too vague. Better: “In a report compiled by the University of Virginia School of Criminology, 28%of felons typically …..”
State Evidence: What supporting evidence (reasons, examples, facts, statistics, and quotations) can you include to support your subclaim? Present good reasons, including logical and emotional appeals, in support of your subclaim.
Explain Evidence: How should we read or interpret the evidence? How does this evidence prove the point you are making? This can be opinion based and is usually 1-3 sentences.
Concluding Sentence: End your paragraph with a sentence that reasserts how the topic sentence helps us better understand and prove your overall claim/thesis.
Make sure to draw conclusions as you go. Too much overwhelming data without your frequent insight is confusing.

Counter Arguments - Optional as separate paragraphs - can be woven into your lines of reasoning.

Purpose: To anticipate your reader’s objections; make yourself sound objective and reasonable.
Examines alternative points of view and opposing arguments. Notes the advantages and disadvantages of these views.
Make sure to refute the opposing arguments. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!!
Explain why your argument is better.
End this paragraph with a concluding sentence that reasserts your papers claim.

Conclusion - Part I

Purpose: Remind readers of your argument and supporting evidence.
Summarizes the argument
Elaborates on the implications of your claim

Conclusion Part II

Purpose: To illustrate that you have thought critically and analytically about the issue.
Creates a sense of movement to a more complex understanding of the thesis.
Serves as the climax of your paper - DO NOT JUST RESTATE YOUR INTRO.
Vivid, concrete language is as important in a conclusion as it is elsewhere -- perhaps more essential, since the conclusion determines the reader’s final impression of your essay.
Makes clear what you think the audience should do.
Reinforces your credibility and perhaps offers an emotional appeal.
Provides a call to action or solution (for Seminar you must have at least two solutions).

General Academic Writing Tips

“Like” vs. “Such as”
- Many instances like these occurred over a 10 year period.
- Many instances such as these occurred over a 10 year period.

Watch the overuse of “Leads to..”
- “The rise in blah, blah, blah let to this, which in turn led to this. This led to the rise of blah, blah, which led to ………”
Do not use informal words and phrases such as:
- Pretty - as in “she gives a pretty basic overview of …”
- “Not a bad thing..”
- “ Now, this may seem like a bad thing..”
- Stuff, Thing, Very, Really, Extremely
DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES use 1st, or 2nd Person point of view. EVER!
- (I, me, my, you, your, you’re, ya’ll)
Put a comma after a conjunctive adverb when you use it at the beginning of a sentence.
- Furthermore, ……..
- However, …..
When you use a conjunctive adverb in the middle of a sentence do this:
- “...............; however, …………”
Use strong verbs. Take out:
- Having
- Being
- Doing
Don’t write “They” without defining who “they” are.
Don’t write “many people” without defining who “many people” are.

Use the Right Words to Argue Well

Explore each section in the tabs below to learn more.

Nouns in favor
Nouns Against
Pro Argument Verbs
Counter Argument Verbs

Nouns for those in favor of:

Proponents
advocates
backers
defenders
supporters

Nouns for those against:

Opponents
challengers
contenders
critics

Pro Argument Verbs:

Allege
argue
assert
claim
contend
insist
reason
say
show
state
suggest

Counter Argument Verbs:

Challenge
deny
dispute
doubt
question
refute
reject

Use Transitions: Transitions are words or phrases that carry the reader from one idea to the next. They help a reader see the connection or relationship between ideas and, just as important, transitions also prevent sudden, jarring mental leaps between sentences and paragraphs.

Additionally
Accordingly
Albeit
Although
As a result
By virtue of
Consequently
Conversely
Equally important
Even though
Finally

Fundamentally
Further
Furthermore
Hence
Hereafter
However
Hypothetically
In addition
In comparison
In contrast
In effect

In essence
In fact
In spite of
In summary
In this respect
Moreover
More noticeably
Nevertheless
Nonetheless
Notwithstanding
On the other hand

Since
Specifically
Thereby
Therefore
Thus
To an extent
To that end
To the contrary
Whereas
With respect
Yet

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INFORMATION ABOVE COURTESY OF LEAH GEORGE.