Planning an Argument
Plan, create, edit and publish written and multimodal texts whose purposes may be imaginative, informative and persuasive, using paragraphs, a variety of complex sentences, expanded verb groups, tense, topic-specific and vivid vocabulary, punctuation, spelling and visual features.
Read this first
Plan the shape before you write a word. Three reasons, strongest last.
Words you need
- Thesis
- Your position, stated in one sentence.
- Counterargument
- The other side's best point.
- Rebuttal
- Your answer to that point.
- Concession
- Admitting the other side has a fair point.
Worked example
e.g. Plan an argument: should students have homework?
- Write your thesis first. One sentence, no hedging.
- Primary students should not be set daily homework.
- List three reasons. Do not write them out yet.
- One: family time. Two: little proof it helps. Three: it widens the gap between students.
- Order them. Put the strongest last, so you finish strong.
- Now plan the counterargument. What would the other side say?
- Homework builds good habits.
- Plan your rebuttal. Concede a little, then answer.
- Habits matter, but ten minutes of reading builds them just as well.
- Now you have the shape. Only now start writing.
Thesis, three reasons strongest last, then counter and rebut.
Practice
Thesis, reasons, counter, rebut.
1How many sentences is a thesis?with a picture
AnswerOne.
2Where does your strongest reason go?with a picture
AnswerLast.
3Why plan the counterargument before writing?with a hint
Need a hint?
What if you cannot answer it?
AnswerIf you cannot answer it, your position may need changing.
4Write a rebuttal to: Uniforms stop bullying.with a hint
Need a hint?
Concede first, then answer.
AnswerUniforms may reduce teasing about clothes, but bullying simply moves to other things.
5Write a thesis about screen time.on your own
AnswerScreen time should be limited on school nights, but not banned.
6Why does conceding a point make you look stronger?on your own
AnswerIt shows you have read the other side fairly, so your answer carries more weight.
Think about it
1
Why put the strongest reason last rather than first?
One good answerThe reader finishes on it. It is what they carry away.
2
What if the other side's point is genuinely good?
One good answerConcede it and narrow your claim. A precise argument beats an overstated one.
Common mistakes
A strong argument ignores the other side.
The opposite. Unanswered objections sit in the reader's mind.
The thesis can stay vague to be safe.
A vague thesis gives you nothing to prove. Be specific.