Persuasive/Argument PapersGeneral Organization of Persuasive/Argument Papers
Introduction
The introduction should present the topic of your paper. In academic writing,
the introduction most often begins with a general reference to the topic and
narrows down to your thesis within four to six sentences. The thesis should
be clear, concise, well stated and identifiable. In other words, the reader should
have
no question about what will be discussed within the paper.
Statement of the Case
The statement of case in the essay is the presentation of all pertinent information
for your argument. In this section of the paper, at least one paragraph should
be dedicated to each element of the argument.
Proposition statement
The proposition statement is used very much in the same way that a thesis
statement is used. This statement should clearly define and detail the
scope of the
essay, but it should also be a debatable statement.
Ex: Hispanic county officials must show their support of bilingual
education programs because . . .
Refutation
In the refutation section of the essay, you will have the opportunity to
refute any claims made against your argument. It is imperative that you research
your
audience and their views that oppose the elements of your argument. This
section will make your argument that much stronger if you can show that opposing
ideas
have been considered and disproved.
Conformation
During the conformation section of the essay, you will reinforce
the elements of your argument that refute the opposition’s
argument. All three areas, the proposition statement, the refutation
section, and the conformation
section,
should be parallel.
Digression (optional)
At this point in the essay, you may want to include some kind of anecdotal
information. You could give information from a case study, or from a personal
story that has
been documented in a journal. Keep in mind that this information, like all
information presented in the essay, should be factual and well documented.
Conclusion
You must remember that this is your last chance to state your case. Think
of the conclusion as the summation in a court case; you have to be convincing.
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Copyright 2003 by the Academic Center and
the University of Houston-Victoria.
Created 2003 by Bernice Dobbins. |
