Structuring Evidence in an Argument Essay

Argument Construction

Argument writing is built upon a clear structure that moves the audience through your overall assertion (THESIS) and into the sub-points of that argument (ASSERTED IN TOPIC SENTENCES OF BODY-PARAGRAPHS).  While an INTRODUCTION introduces the audience to the argument that will be made in the essay, it is the body-paragraph that actually prove the argument.

To properly construct an argument, you will need to focus your energy into logically arguing aspects of the issue in the body-paragraphs.  You will not argue the issue in the Introduction or Conclusion paragraphs.

To properly explain and argue your claim, you should follow this structure when drafting your outline so that your conversion to body-paragraphs of the essay will be flawless.

Structuring Argument in the Body-paragraph(s)

Body Paragraph Overview:

Provide several Body Paragraphs with Main Supporting Points. 

A body paragraph will be a minimum of 5 sentences in length to meet the minimum requirements for development of the topic addressed in that paragraph. 

Body paragraphs serve as the detailed development of the thesis statements as they provide clarity on a problem, support, and opposition to the proposed solution to a problem, clarity on others’ beliefs and why they are or are not valid. 

You may have 3 body-paragraphs, but you might also need to develop many more, depending on the organization of your argument.  

Remember that each of the initial body-paragraphs should support the claim you have made in your thesis.  

Each body-paragraph should be directly related to the over-arching CLAIM from the thesis—the last sentence of the introduction paragraph. 

The body paragraphs will all follow a basic development order—see below.

1.    Topic sentence—in your outline, be sure to write out a clear topic sentence so that you will fully understand what the point of the body paragraph will be as you develop it into full-sentences later in the writing process. 

·       Each body-paragraph will have a clear topic sentence as the first sentence of the paragraph, and it should limit the content of the paragraph—meaning that the paragraph will focus on that point and nothing more. 

·       To make a new point, you would make a new body paragraph. 

·       Remember that the Topic sentence needs to introduce the focus of the paragraph in some clear way (must be in your own words—with NO source usage at all in the topic sentence.  Source materials come after the topic sentence).

2.  Specific example(s), fact(s), story(ies) that support your overall point for this body-paragraph—there will be different development of this section in your outline versus your rough draft

·       OUTLINE: in your outline, you will not provide full sentences here.  You will provide general concepts, points, and direction. 

·       You will have more time to locate sources as the writing process proceeds.  Therefore, in the outline, simply indicate a point that will be made to prove the argument point in this body-paragraph.

·       Make sure that the point is related to the type of essay argument you are writing (ethical, proposal, cause/effect).

·       Provide an in-text citation if you have source material to support the sub-point, and then move on to the next point for this topic in this body paragraph. 

·       When necessary, use properly cited quotes, paraphrases, or summaries in the outline to assist with posterity in your writing when you switch from the outline to the rough draft development.  See the Source Sandwich handout for help structuring your body paragraphs properly with support, details, and analysis. You WILL use source materials here in the outline.

·       MOVING into the ROUGH DRAFT: Develop the examples for supporting the sub-point of the thesis when you create your actual rough draft.

·       As you develop the outline ideas into full paragraphs, always check and double-check that what was stated in the topic sentence of the body-paragraph is being developed adequately throughout that one body-paragraph.

·       Do not move into another arguable point in one body-paragraph.

·       Make sure that the point is related to the type of essay argument you are writing (ethical, proposal, cause/effect).  Meaning that

1.    the topic sentence needs to clearly state the ethics involved in the sub-point—if it is an ethical argument;

2.  the topic sentence needs to assert an effect of X on American culture—if you are writing a cause/effect argument, and

3.  the topic sentence would assert a step in the proposal to fixing a social issue—if you are writing a proposal argument essay. 

·       Each essay style has a specific focus to it, and so the thesis and body-paragraphs must continually point back to that type of argument so that the reader knows what you are trying to accomplish.

·       Provide an in-text citation if you have source material to support the sub-point, and then move on to the next point for this topic in this body-paragraph. 

·       Use more paraphrases than quotes when using scholarly materials to support your argument in the body-paragraphs. 

1.    While you will still provide an in-text citation at the end of the sentence—prior to the period of the sentence—it is easier to establish yourself as a credible writer in the argument if you are not simply copy and pasting outside source materials to make your argument.  You need to make your own argument and only use scholarly sources to defend that argument.

·       See the Source Sandwich handout for help structuring your body paragraphs properly with support, details, and analysis.

·       You WILL use source materials here in the body-paragraph to lend support to your sub-point of the argument.

3.  Your explanation and analysis of example(s) from the sources.  

·       After each developing point (above), you need to follow that point with a clear explanation and analysis of the point, the sources that supported that point, and how this adds to your overall argument. 

·       ABOVE You needed to…

1.    assert your argument,

2.  explain your reasoning,

3.  use a paraphrase from a quality scholarly source to defend your assertion, and then

·       HERE You need to…

1.    follow that paraphrase with analysis, evaluation and proof that shows the source validated your argument.

·       You will NOT use source materials in this analysis, evaluative, section of the body-paragraph—use your own thoughts and terms for analysis.

4.  Summative sentence—to tie the supporting points of the body paragraph back to the TOPIC (topic sentence) of the paragraph.  You will NOT use source materials in any body-paragraphs as part of the closing sentence.

*Remember to provide transitions for your reader within the paragraphs.  See the handout on transitions.

Body-Paragraph(s) Discussing/Arguing the Opposition

Counter-Argument Body-paragraphs

Not all papers will need to address opposition; however, academic writing typically brings with it opposing viewpoints on topics assigned.  

If you are writing an argument essay, you WILL have counter-argument body-paragraphs.  The number of these body-paragraphs depends on what the strongest oppositions are to the view you are arguing on the issue.

Opposing points are sometimes addressed before your supporting-points paragraphs, but for new writers of argument, it is best to stick to the traditional flow of:

1.    INTRODUCTION

2.  BODY-PARAGRAPH(S) TO SUPPORT CLAIM

3.  BODY-PARAGRAPH(S) TO REFUTE OPPOSITION

4.  CONCLUSION

There are other possibilities for the organization of  COUNTER-ARGUMENTS in an argument essay, but it takes great care to make the flow of thoughts understandable to the reader.  Therefore, for best-writing, use the logical presentation of claim (introduction), facts (body-paragraph to support claim), counter-arguments (body-paragraphs to refute opposition), and then conclusion for your argument essays.

1.    Topic sentence identifying an opposing viewpoint.

·       Be sure to write out a clear, focused topic sentence on ONE opposing view of the argument so that a reader is fully aware what the point of the body-paragraph will be. 

·       Each body paragraph will have a clear topic sentence as the first sentence of the paragraph, and this topic sentence should limit the content focus of the paragraph—meaning that the paragraph will focus on that topic and nothing more.

·       You will NOT use source materials in any topic sentences.

2.  Explanation as to why you disagree with the opposition—in an outline, simply provide general concepts.  You do not have to write out full sentences since you will be writing out full sentences in your rough draft. 

·       You will NOT use source materials as you explain the opposition point.  Be as clear about the views as possible to show your balanced presentation of the issue.

3.  Examples, facts, stories that support your reason for disagreement. 

·       You will use scholarly source materials for this area of the counter-argument body-paragraph.

4.  Summative sentence—to tie the point of the body paragraph together by reflecting back to the topic sentence of the body-paragraph.

·       You will NOT use source materials in any body-paragraphs as part of the closing sentence.

*Remember transition(s).

© 2018 by Jeanette L. H. Dick

For Educational Purposes Only

Structuring the Evidence in an Argument Essay