Strategies for
Effective Argument
Problem/Solution
Part 1
Reminders
Read the instructions.
Choose your problem carefully. It
should be important personally but
also affect others. Make sure your
thesis is narrow enough to explore
thoroughly in a short paper.
Clichéd, broad topics (when you can
offer no personal angle) are not good
choices.
Reminders (continued)
Analyze the situation and get to the REAL
problem.
If challenged, be able to prove it IS a
problem.
Remember your audience (give sufficient
information and explanations)
Anticipate and answer questions.
Consider your opponents’ views; try to
understand their point of view.
Support and Evidence
Present yourself as a reasonable person of
good will (your persona). Be forceful but do
not attack your opponents.
Use personal experience but do not
generalize too broadly from one example.
Don’t make claims you can only assert but
cannot support (“Everybody knows,” “It has
been proven”).
Support and Evidence (continued)
Do field research and use credible
sources.
Be sure to cite sources of any specific
information you use and to quote
exactly.
Do not plagiarize.
Review MLA style.