4.0 What is Argument?
Argument is the attempt by the writer to defend and develop a central idea (a thesis). The aim of argumentation is to make the writer’s assertion on a topic, contained in the thesis, plausible and valid. The greater part of an academic paper gives reasons for the stand the writer is taking.
In undergraduate writing the student is usually confronted with a question or claim and expected to explore the associated topic in order to:
- understand the main concepts of the topic area
- formulate an argument
- construct a thesis statement
- show an ability to think independently in the argumentation
- use ideas relevant to the topic in the argumentation
- support ideas with evidence/examples
- fulfil the requirements set out in the assignment question
Overall, the argument that is developed should be:
- clear to the reader
- contain connections between ideas
- free of unnecessary material
- be continuous and always to the point