Wednesday, June 3, 2020
Do You Have A Single Argument Supporting Your Essay
Do You Have A Single Argument Supporting Your Essay?Is the essay writer using a single argument to support his or her argument, or are there multiple arguments supporting the assertion? Are the assertions presented in the essay proof or just an opinion, or is the thesis supported by evidence, and if so what evidence is used? If there is a thesis, is it supported by the use of primary sources, from which secondary sources are drawn for your analysis, or are you writing on behalf of some organization or party?When I have worked with an author whose thesis was their personal opinion that contradicts the facts (either consciously or unconsciously), this is usually the beginning of the demise of the relationship. They may not be able to see that their own viewpoint conflicts with the facts they are presenting to me. I am not suggesting that they will do it, but it has become apparent to me that they cannot know they are making a mistake. Or sometimes they will say, 'No, this is my opinion .''Why am I telling you what I believe and not my original viewpoint?' For me, the key question is, 'Is there any point to this essay? And is it intended to persuade?If your argument is based upon fear or hatred, but the persuasive essay you are writing is based upon love, then you will suffer the same fate as your target audience. If you are writing to persuade someone who is not normally persuaded or not typically interested in your opinions, then you are wasting your time and your effort.In my opinion, I would start by starting with the assumption that the author's viewpoint and the facts supporting that viewpoint is the same. I would then carefully analyze the facts supporting the author's viewpoint and then explain them to the reader. If I can identify a weakness in the author's argument or facts, I might make comments about that, or maybe suggest some additional facts.In most cases, such a small change in the author's point of view will have a dramatic effect upon the reader. Most people are so familiar with the facts that do not need a convincing argument, that they will find the strong writer a lot easier to convince than someone new to the topic. So, as an author, it is important to recognize the reader's level of interest and purpose, not the writer's.There is much to be gained by knowing your intended purpose in writing an essay, not necessarily the fact that you are writing an essay. Some writers seem to think that if they present enough facts, the facts will convince the reader. But, the truth is, the facts are unlikely to convince the reader unless they are backed up by secondary sources.
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