CT15a UNIT 2 SECTION 5 Writing an argument

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CT15a UNIT 2 SECTION 5Writing an argument

• Developing your own arguments is a very important
  Critical Thinking skill. A key point to remember
  is that you cannot win an argument by merely
  criticising others. You also have to be able to
  put forward your own case is a reasoned
  disciplined way.
• The first step is being clear about the
  conclusion that you are heading for. Make sure
  that your own arguments ALWAYS contain a clearly
  stated conclusion. You will find it helpful if
  you put your conclusion first or last.
• BROWNING TIP In your own passage, start with
  your conclusion so a/ you do not forget it, b/ it
  is easier to fit in the intermediate
  conclusion(s) this way c/ it ensures your other
  elements remain relevant.

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CT15b UNIT 2 SECTION 5Writing an argument

• KEEPING A CLOSE LINK BETWEEN REASONS
  CONCLUSIONS
• Good arguments contain reasons that give good
  support to the conclusion.
• E.g. Digital cameras are smaller than film
  cameras. Therefore digital cameras are better
• The above reason gives little support to the
  conclusion.
• Digital cameras are smaller than film cameras.
  Size is a key factor in choosing a camera.
  Therefore digital cameras are better
• This is better but still not particularly
  persuasive.
• Taking pictures with a digital camera is easier
  than with a film camera. The picture quality of
  digital cameras is equal to that of a film
  camera, Therefore digital cameras are better.
• This is a much more relevant argument as it is
  related to the things that cameras do. The two
  reasons act jointly to provide a persuasive
  argument.

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CT15c UNIT 2 SECTION 5Writing an argument

• TIP your argument should have two reasons that
  support an intermediate conclusion and at least
  one further reason that supports the main
  conclusion.( R1 R2 IC R3 C).
• STRONG WEAK CONCLUSIONS
• Another way to make a closer link between reasons
  and conclusion is to make the conclusion weaker
  By this we mean less specific and definite.
• E.G. (strong, definite conclusion) Everyone
  wanting to buy a new car should buy an estate car
  rather than a hatchback.
• E.G. (weaker, less specific conclusion) Everyone
  wanting to buy a new car should consider the
  advantages that estate cars have over hatchbacks.
• So a weaker conclusion can make a stronger
  argument.

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CT15d UNIT 2 SECTION 5Writing an argument

• STRUCTURED ARGUMENTS
• We must know how to structure an argument to
  ensure that various parts of the argument work
  well together.
• E.g. Smoking cause lung cancer. Smoking
  creates unpleasant smells. Smoking creates a
  nuisance for non-smokers. Smoking is very
  expensive. Therefore you should stop smoking.
• Technically this argument is not wrong but it
  would be more sophisticated with the inclusion of
  an Intermediate conclusion.
• E,g. Smoking causes lung cancer. Smoking causes
  heart disease. Therefore, smoking is likely to
  lead to premature death (IC). Everybody wants to
  live longer. Therefore, you should give up
  smoking
• Although not perfect this argument has better
  structure and contains the criteria for the exam
  - ( R1 R2 IC R3 C).

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CT15e UNIT 2 SECTION 5Writing an argument

• TIP Use your own general knowledge to include
  evidence and examples in an exam argument. You
  dont have to know a great deal about a
  particular topic. You should not need to make up
  information.
• BROWNING TIP If you have to make up
  information, make it believable and reasonable
  (credible and plausible). Many marks were lost
  last year because people made up outlandish
  evidence and examples. Please save you humour for
  after the exam and dont waste valuable points

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CT15f UNIT 2 SECTION 5Writing an argument

• INCLUDING EVIDENCE EXAMPLES IN A STRUCTURED
  ARGUMENT.
• Another advantage of a structured argument is
  that it is easier to include evidence or examples
  that start to make the argument real.
• Every reason can have a piece of evidence or an
  example to go with it such as
• R1 Xs cars have a greater range of safety
  features than Ys.
• Ex They have electronic stability programmes
  more airbags.
• R2 Xs cars have better suspension compared to
  Ys cars
• Ev As shown by a recent report in a leading motor
  magazine
• IC Therefore, you are less likely to be involved
  in an accident
• R3 Xs cars are more fuel efficient , so better
  for the environment
• Ev Government figures show Xs cars do 5 more
  miles per gallon
• C Therefore, cars made by X are better than those
  made by Y.

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CT15g UNIT 2 SECTION 5Writing an argument

• Another structure involves using counter
  arguments or assertions/claims.
• A CA is often introduced by the author in order
  to show that it is weak or flawed and hence to
  support their own argument.
• Remember However may be a sign that a CA is
  being given so that the author can argue against
  it or dismiss it. It is worth looking out for the
  word in exam passages.
• BROWNING TIP It is far easier, and less time
  consuming, to use a counter claim in your own
  arguments than it is to use a counter argument.
• A counter claim can be introduced by phrases such
  as although, or some may argue that, because
  this is the idea that is about to be argued
  against.

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CT15h UNIT 2 SECTION 5Writing an argument

• TIP Keep your arguments clear simple. The
  limited time in the exam means you will not have
  time to produce anything too complicated. Work
  towards simple structures for your arguments that
  include several reasons, an intermediate
  conclusion and a conclusion. Evidence, examples
  and CAs can be added as required.
• Exam questions may ask you to challenge or
  support the conclusion in the passage. Starting
  with a counter assertion (Put the main conclusion
  at the end in this case) can help focus your mind
  on where you want to go with the argument,
  because you know that you will begin by
  challenging the CA in some way.

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CT15i UNIT 2 SECTION 5Writing an argument

• WRITING YOUR OWN ARGUMENTS IN THE EXAM
• The following points are a checklist to enable
  you to write your own clear arguments without
  having to make major changes later.
• 1/ Make sure that you gave a clearly stated
  conclusion.
• 2/ Make sure you have an intermediate conclusion
• 3/ Make sure you have several reasons that
  support an IC and a further one to support the
  conclusion independently
• 4/ Make sure all of these support the main
  conclusion
• 5/ Make sure you have a clear structure
• 6/ Make sure you include evidence and/or examples
  to illustrate
• 7/ You might also want to include a counter
  argument or a counter assertion to which you are
  responding.

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CT15j UNIT 2 SECTION 5Writing an argument

• TIP Try not to use the word everyone in an
  argument, as it is unlikely that this will be the
  correct term. Use other terms such as the
  majority or, better still, a SIGNIFICANT
  majority.
• If you are being asked to write an argument that
  supports or challenges the conclusion in the
  main passage, make sure that you have accurately
  PRECISELY copied down the authors conclusion
  in your own argument.