Understanding your argument - Research Papers

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Understanding Your ArgumentA prewriting exercise to develop a stronger thesisWeek 8 Day 1 – ENGL 100

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Why so much focus on thesis?Thesis presupposes ARGUMENTWe’re not limited to 2-sides, 3

supports We need some guiding

framework to SLIGHTLY shape our research and drafting…

and then to turn it from writer-based to reader-based draft:

the conclusion you reach has to appear early to help the reader.

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More on your thesisReminder – your thesis can

change throughout, as you should be guided by the evidence,

The final result should be UNIFIED

Your “conclusion” in a draft can often work as the real introduction.

In our Big Research paper – thesis statement ends the first paragraph

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Fun experiment:Try the opposite thesis statement

on for a while, too.If there is no alternate side, is

YOUR statement truly a thesis?

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Understanding your argumentThe next few slides are a pre-

writing exercise to help you understand your argument better.

◦I have examples for a topic of a different paper, but stay with YOUR topic every time!

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Step 0: Get readyYou can handwrite or type this in

something you can access later.

These prompts are for writing, not talking!

I will set the timer for about 4 minutes for each prompt. Keep writing the whole time.

If you can’t think of what to say, just repeat the last thing or the most interesting part so far.

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Step 1: Research Q&ARemember do these about YOUR topicState the issue or question

you are arguing: ◦“Are Video Games addictive?”

State your preliminary answer – ◦“Yes, designed around what behavior

psychology tells is triggers the reward centers in the brain.”

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Step 2: Your values State what beliefs motivate you, and some key definitions, even if they feel obvious written down. ◦games = fun. ◦Fun = good. ◦“too much” fun = bad. ◦Addiction = bad. ◦Games (for this project) = ones played

alone, clicking a lot. ◦Addiction = “brain change”

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Step 3: AudienceWho is your audience?

◦general adults◦ages 30-50. ◦M & F◦interested in their own game habits

Who is NOT your audience?◦Psychologists◦Adolescents or college students◦Parents in their role as parents

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Step 4: Audience’s Beliefs

State the beliefs you think your audience holds. ◦Games = social also◦Games = a way to measure

progress?◦Self-improvement = good, but hard

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Step 5: Why does this topic matter?

To you? ◦“Do I waste my life with video

games?”

To your audience? ◦“Can video games be used for good,

like gamification of workouts?”

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Step 6: EvidenceWhat evidence do you need

to support your claims? (list both things you have already or

would be useful for this audience)What evidence would be perfect

if you could find it?What gaps in your research

do you need to fill?

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Let’s ShareChat with your row/team

about some of the things you wrote.

◦Any new insights? ◦Which prompt was most useful?◦What are your next steps?