COMPONENTS OF AN ARGUMENT

The Beginning

• Introduces the writer
• Appeals to the readers' reason, emotions, and/or sense of ethics
• Identifies the topic and indicates the writer's position

The Middle

• Provides background information
• Responds to other points of view
• Presents reasons in support of claim
• Anticipates possible objections to reasons

The End

• Summarizes the argument
• Reasserts the claim

TWO BASIC SHAPES FOR ARGUMENTS

Position Arguments

• Address the ethical and moral aspects of a controversy
• Deal with the status quo, the current state of affairs
• Aim at changing the audience's feelings or positions about an issue

Proposal Arguments

• Identify a problem and recommend a solution
• Suggest future changes in the status quo
• Aim at persuading the audience to take a particular action or to change a behavior

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