4.1 Formulating an Argument

The writer should be aware that in every question posed there are underlying assumptions, which must be noted and then acknowledged as questions to be raised in the formulation of the argument.

Step One:
Examine the question

Step Two:
Identify the underlying assumptions

Step Three:
Formulate questions to be raised in the essay as the basis of the argument

Example:

ESSAY QUESTION

"The world cannot continue to exist without organisations like Greenpeace. Discuss.

UNDERLYING ASSUMPTIONS
  • Natural world is sustained by the efforts of organisations like Greenpeace.
  • Organisations such as Greenpeace provide the best/only means of the survival of the natural world.
  • Humans are destroying their natural world.
QUESTIONS THAT SHOULD BE RAISED
  1. Are the efforts of organisations like Greenpeace responsible for the survival of the natural world?
  2. Do organisations such as Greenpeace provide the best/only means of the survival of the natural world?
  3. Are humans by their actions destroying their natural world?

Step Four:

Bring question one forward:

Are the efforts of organisatons like Greenpeace responsible for the survival of the natural world?

Name undertakings/projects:

Campaigns for:

  • non-violent, creative confrontation to expose environmental problems
  • interspersion of solutions to environmental problems
  • a green and peaceful earth

Specific undertakings/projects on issues concerning:
  • climate change
  • oceans and marine life
  • toxic chemicals
  • genetic engineering
  • nuclear weapons
  • sustainable trade

Step Five:

Bring question two forward:

Do organisations such as Greenpeace provide best/only means of the survival of the natural world?

Name other organizations that provide means for the survival of the natural world.

  • UNESCO and government organisations of member countries which set up action groups, discussions, experimentations, and commissions to manage, assist and advise on ecological problems and their solutions and/or prevention

What specific undertakings/projects? Scientific work/research on:

  • global monitoring of water issues
  • conservation
  • sustainable use of the insular biosphere reserves
  • global changes in mountain regions
  • integrated ecosystem management
  • focus on ocean and coastal problems

Step Six:

Bring question three forward:

Are humans, by their actions, destroying their world?

Name areas where humans are destroying their world:

  • atmospheric pollution
  • global warming
  • land use
  • land cover
  • water pollution

What specific actions/situations:

  • vehicle and factory emissions
  • overfarming, overgrazing
  • cutting down forests
  • mining and landfill
  • sewage and industrial waste

Decision on argumentation

The writer examines the three areas under consideration:

  • Greenpeace campaigns
  • Scientific research (UNESCO, others)
  • Human destruction of the environment

It should become obvious to the writer that:

  • Greenpeace is actively involved through campaigning in stopping human undertakings that are destroying the ecological balance of the earth and striving to point to solutions
  • Science (UNESCO, others) is actively involved in observation and research of areas of concern that are destroying or interfering with the ecological balance of the earth and in finding solutions
  • Humans through certain actions are destroying the ecological balance of the earth

The writer should now decide to argue that the work of Greenpeace covers areas of non-violent, creative confrontation and the interspersion of solutions in order to have a green and peaceful earth. It has been seen to be involved in situations and incidents concerning human actions which are affecting climate change, water quality of oceans and marine life, air quality and types of food production. It is also involved in preventing nuclear weapons’ use and unsound trade practices affecting disadvantaged groups of people.

On the other hand, the writer should argue that Science and scientific organizations take up ecological problems and attempt to discover scientific solutions to restore the ecological balance. They monitor global water issues, devise methods for conservation in many areas, manage integrated eco-systems and focus on ocean and coastal problems, attempting all the while to restore the natural environment.

Lastly, the writer should argue that the above two kinds of organizations work in these areas because of inappropriate human activity destroying the pristine qualities of air and water, causing global warming and deterioration of the natural environment. All these factors can be attributed to vehicle and factory emissions, overfarming and overgrazing, excessive culling of forests, mining and landfill and the negligent disposal of waste from sewage and industry. All can be reversed if people listen to and act on the advice of Greenpeace and the Scientific community.