WS 305: Feminist Theories
Argumentation
This is a little handout I often give students to help them organize material in an argumentative essay. It's very, very basic stuff, but it's what I turn to when I'm feeling lost and overwhelmed by the amount of material I've gathered. The more complex  my argument, the more I need the basics.
Argumentation

To produce a sustained argument (rather than a chaotic jumble or a five-paragraph essay), always use functional topic sentences and PIE.

Functional topic sentences accomplish two things; they

    * tell the point of the paragraph and
    * tell what that point has to do with the thesis

Make sure that everything you discuss in the paragraph sticks to the topic of the paragraph and supports the point you are making. You may also find it helpful to end each paragraph with a sentence that summarizes the point you've made.

When you finish drafting your paper, string together all the topic sentences; they should summarize your argument. If they don't, fix the essay by moving paragraphs around, dividing up topics, or adding paragraphs where argumentative points are missing.

You can use the strung-together topic sentences as a basis for your opening paragraph or thesis statement if you're having trouble writing that.

PIE is a method for effectively incorporating outside sources into your essay.

    * Point: Make your argumentative point
    * Illustration: Illustrate the point with a quotation, example, reference to scholarly opinion, statistic
    * Explanation: Explain what the quote/example/statistic/opinion means in the context of your argument

Notice that a quote can never make your argumentative point for you; it can only illustrate a point you've already made. Also notice that there will always be twice as much of your words and ideas as of other people's and that you will never begin or end a paragraph with a quotation.

WS305