how to structure an argument

Definition"Thesis" A thesis is a statement you plan to prove. This is "your argument," or what you believe is true.

Come up with your own thesis:Example thesis: "Bananas are the best fruit."

Come up with three reasons why you are right:Reason 1: "Bananas can fill you up."Reason 2: "Bananas are versatile."Reason 3: "Bananas are great in smoothies."

Put the points in order:Put your best point last: "Bananas can fill you up." Put your second-best point first: "Bananas are great in smoothies." Put your weakest point in the middle: "Bananas are versatile."

Write your reasons in the new order: 1. Bananas are great in smoothies.2. Bananas are versatile.3. Bananas can fill you up.

Definitions: Types of research sources“Primary resource” means the information comes from someone’s personal experience. Examples are blogs, forums, youtube videos, and interviews (you can even do your own interview.)  “Secondary resource” means the information was written by someone who did not actually experience it. Examples are wikipedia and news articles.

Add two details for each reason You can find your details online or you can do your own interviews. 

1. Primary resource: At least one detail must come from a primary resource

2. Secondary resource: At least one must come from a secondary resource

3. Online resource: At least one must come from online (this can be the same as one of your primary or secondary resources)

(See definitions on the previous slide.)

1. Reason 1: Bananas are great in smoothies.Detail 1: Bananas help smoothies create that rich creamy texture that makes a smoothie great.

Website: http://www.smoothieweb.com/category/fruit-smoothies/banana-smoothies/

Detail 2: A good trick for beginners as they begin experimenting with green smoothies, is to freeze bananas. Frozen bananas help your smoothies to taste great, and give them the rich consistency of a milkshake!

Website: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLfwMWqbz2I ** primary resource

2. Reason 2: Bananas are versatile.Detail 1: You can eat them when they are mild tasting or when they are as sweet as candy. A yellow banana with a little green at one end is the first stage of ripeness. The banana is not yet fully sweet, but it has begun to sweeten more fully .A fully yellow banana is ripe, the peel has thinned a little and the banana is softer and sweeter. A yellow banana with a couple brown spots is a full-ripe banana... this is its height of sweetness. These bananas also have the strongest banana flavor.

Website: http://askville.amazon.com/Banana-ripe/AnswerViewer.do? requestId=9016572

 Detail 2: Over-ripe bananas can be frozen and used in desserts such as ice cream or baking.

Website: http://gentleworld.org/the-magic-of-frozen-bananas/

3. Reason 3:Bananas can fill you up.Detail 1: Bananas are an excellent source of fiber and carbohydrates, yet are fat free, cholesterol free, and sodium free.

Website: http://realfoodie.hubpages.com/hub/BANANA-The-Perfect-Food

 Detail 2: One medium sized banana (about 7" long) contains roughly 110 calories, yet is packed with vitamins, minerals that will boost your energy.

Website: http://realfoodie.hubpages.com/hub/BANANA-The-Perfect-Food

 

Definition"Sign Posting"Sign posting during a speech means adding words and phrases that will help the audience organize the ideas in their mind. These can include words like "First," "Second," "Third," "To begin with," "Next," "Lastly," and "In conclusion."

Next, turn each "reason" into a paragraph:Start each paragraph with a sign-posting word or phrase:

Choose “First”, “Second,” and “Third.” Or “To begin with,” “Next,” and “Lastly.” Or you come up with your own variation.

First, bananas are great in smoothies. Bananas help smoothies create that rich creamy texture that makes a smoothie great. A good trick for beginners as they begin experimenting with green smoothies, is to freeze bananas. Frozen bananas help your smoothies to taste great, and give them the rich consistency of a milkshake!

Second, bananas are versatile. You can eat them when they are mild tasting or when they are as sweet as candy. A yellow banana with a little green at one end is the first stage of ripeness. The banana is not yet fully sweet, but it has begun to sweeten more fully.A fully yellow banana is ripe, the peel has thinned a little and the banana is softer and sweeter. A yellow banana with a couple brown spots is a full-ripe banana... this is its height of sweetness. These bananas also have the strongest banana flavor. Over-ripe bananas can be frozen and used in desserts such as ice cream or baking.

Lastly, bananas can fill you up. Bananas are an excellent source of fiber and carbohydrates, yet are fat free, cholesterol free, and sodium free. One medium sized banana (about 7" long) contains roughly 110 calories, yet is packed with vitamins, minerals that will boost your energy. 

Next, create an introduction...

First, write a lead-in statement that briefly and bluntly states your thesis and your three reasons:

Lead-in statement: "Bananas are the best fruit around because they can be mild or sweet, they are great in smoothies, and they can fill you up."

Come up with a way to get the audience’s attention.

Choose one of the following:1. Humor (something funny)2. A story (something interesting you heard or read that

relates to the topic)3. A quote (something related to your topic)4. A rhetorical question (philosophical questions to which

you do not expect an answer)5. A startling statement (surprising facts, statistics or

outrageous ideas related to the topic) 6. A personal experience (a story from your own life)

 

Here's mine:

Startling Statement:"Did you know bananas are the world's best-selling fruit, outranking the apple and orange?"

Next, transition to your thesis statement:

"In fact, I would go so far as to say that bananas are THE best fruit in existence."

"I personally eat about 10 bananas a day, and I love them. I’ve also spent time researching the banana and what makes them so very wonderful, and now I’m ready to share what I know with you."

Let them know why they should listen to YOU on this particular topic: (maybe you've done research, or you have personal experience, etc.)

Give the audience any background information they might need and/or define any terms. (This is optional and may not be needed for all topics):

"Some background on the banana: the sweet yellow banana is a mutant strain which developed from original red and green cooking bananas most often called plantains. The banana is also a distant cousin to ginger, tumeric, and cardamom, and is botanically classified as a berry."

Combine your introductory sentences into a paragraph, using this structure:

1. Get the audience’s attention2. Transition to your thesis3. Tell them why they should listen to you4. Give them background/definitions (optional)

5. Lead-in statement

"Did you know bananas are the world's best-selling fruit, outranking the apple and orange? In fact, I would go so far as to say that bananas are THE best fruit in existence. I personally eat about 10 bananas a day, and I love them. I’ve also spent time researching the banana and what makes them so very wonderful, and now I’m ready to share what I know with you. Some background on the banana: the sweet yellow banana is a mutant strain which developed from original red and green cooking bananas most often called plantains. The banana is also a distant cousin to ginger, turmeric, and cardamom, and is botanically classified as a berry. Bananas are the best fruit around because they can be mild or sweet, they are great in smoothies, and they can fill you up."

Next, write an end to your argument...

Begin with a sign-post transition like “In conclusion” or “In summary,” and then restate your thesis and your three reasons: (try to vary the words, if you can)

"In summary, the banana is a wonderful fruit because it makes delicious smoothies, it can have a variety of tastes, and it can actually fill you up."

End the speech, thank the audience, and transition to the Q and A:

"I hope that you found this speech informative and that you will consider adding more bananas into your day-to-day life. Thank you for listening. Are there any questions?"

Turn your conclusion sentences into a paragraph:

"In summary, the banana is a wonderful fruit because it makes delicious smoothies, it can have a variety of tastes, and it can actually fill you up. I hope that you found this speech informative and that you will consider adding more bananas into your day-to-day life. Thank you for listening. Are there any questions?"

Finally, put your paragraphs in the following order:

1. Introduction paragraph2. Reason 1 paragraph3. Reason 2 paragraph4. Reason 3 paragraph5. Conclusion paragraph

Did you know bananas are the world's best-selling fruit, outranking the apple and orange? In fact, I would go so far as to say that bananas are THE best fruit in existence. I personally eat about 10 bananas a day, and I love them. I’ve also spent time researching the banana and what makes them so very wonderful, and now I’m ready to share what I know with you. Some background on the banana: the sweet yellow banana is a mutant strain which developed from original red and green cooking bananas most often called plantains. The banana is also a distant cousin to ginger, turmeric, and cardamom, and is botanically classified as a berry. Bananas are the best fruit around because they can be mild or sweet, they are great in smoothies, and they can fill you up.

First, bananas are great in smoothies. Bananas help smoothies create that rich creamy texture that makes a smoothie great. A good trick for beginners as they begin experimenting with green smoothies, is to freeze bananas. Frozen bananas help your smoothies to taste great, and give them the rich consistency of a milkshake!

Second, bananas are versatile. You can eat them when they are mild tasting or when they are as sweet as candy. A yellow banana with a little green at one end is the first stage of ripeness. The banana is not yet fully sweet, but it has begun to sweeten more fully.A fully yellow banana is ripe, the peel has thinned a little and the banana is softer and sweeter. A yellow banana with a couple brown spots is a full-ripe banana... this is its height of sweetness. These bananas also have the strongest banana flavor. Over-ripe bananas can be frozen and used in desserts such as ice cream or baking.

Lastly, bananas can fill you up. Bananas are an excellent source of fiber and carbohydrates, yet are fat free, cholesterol free, and sodium free. One medium sized banana (about 7" long) contains roughly 110 calories, yet is packed with vitamins, minerals that will boost your energy.

In summary, the banana is a wonderful fruit because it makes delicious smoothies, it can have a variety of tastes, and it can actually fill you up. I hope that you found this speech informative and that you will consider adding more bananas into your day-to-day life. Thank you for listening. Are there any questions? 

Read over your argument and change anything that sounds awkward or that doesn’t flow well.  You’re done!  Next step is the self-assessment.