3c. Analysis of Argument: Template

TEMPLATE

     Is the essay section so easy that you can simply plug in phrases into a pre-prepared template format?

No.

     Instead, we have opted to give you a variety of options about how to organize and structure your essays.

     As with the Issue essay, there is no single "correct," way to organize an Argument essay. In our view, however, your essay should include separate "introduction" and "conclusion" paragraphs, as well as at least two "body" paragraphs in which you develop your critique of the stated argument. The following template spells out this structure in more detail, and each of the sample Analysis of Argument essays in this book follow this basic pattern.

     You do not have to adhere strictly to this format in order to write an effective Argument essay. You may find that some other form works better for you, especially for the body of your essay. Also, the numbers of sentences indicated for each paragraph here are merely suggestions or guidelines, not hard-and-fast rules.

     (Note: The transitional phrases used here are purposely simplistic; do not simply "parrot" them word-for-word in your essay or adopt a mechanistic fill-in the blank approach. If you do, your essay might appear stilted or contrived.)

Introductory Paragraph (2-4 sentences)

Try to accomplish three goals in your introductory paragraph:

• Briefly restate the argument.
  
• Briefly trace the argument's line of reasoning.
  
• Indicate the extent to which the argument is logically convincing.
  
• If possible, sum up your arguments in one sentence (or two brief sentences).

Here's a sample template for the first paragraph that accomplishes these goals:

The author concludes that____________, because ________. The author's line of reasoning is that ______________. This argument is unconvincing for several reasons; it is____________ and it uses _____________.

 

First Body Paragraph (3-5 sentences)

In the first body paragraph your goal is to critique one of the following:

• The reasoning of the argument
  
• One of the premises of the argument
  
• One of the assumptions of the argument
  

Here's a sample template for this paragraph that accomplishes this goal:

First of all, ____________________________ is based upon the questionable assumption ________________________________. That _______________,
however, _________________. Moreover, ________________________.

 

Second Body Paragraph (3-4 sentences)

The purpose of the second paragraph is to address one of the following:

• The reasoning of the argument
• One of the premises of the argument
• One of the assumptions of the argument

Here's a sample template for this paragraph that accomplishes this goal:

Secondly, the author assumes that_________________________.
However, __________________________. It seems equally reasonable to assume that ____________________.

 

Third (and optional Fourth) Body Paragraph

In this paragraph your goal is to critique one of the following:

• The reasoning of the argument
  
• One of the premises of the argument
  
• One of the assumptions of the argument
  
  

Here's a sample template for this paragraph that accomplishes this goal:

Finally, _______________________________________. The author fails to consider __________________________________. For example, __________________. Because the author's argument _________________.

 

Final Paragraph (2-3 sentences)

In the final paragraph your goals are to:

• Summarize your critique of the argument
  
• State the main point of your essay

The final paragraph is not the placer to introduce new arguments or issues. Sample template:

In sum, I agree that______________________. However, ____________________; on balance, _____________________.

>>continue to Analysis of Argument: Timing (page 5 of 5 of chapter 5)