To better understand research methods, you will obtain and *analyze
two conflicting RESEARCH articles on the diversity issue of your
choice. You will explore the ways in which they are and are not
examples of credible scholarship by answering the guiding questions
below for each piece of literature.
For *EACH of the article/position/view, you will
1. Identify the author’s/authors’ research question.
2. Identify the hypothesis/es being tested.
3. Document *at least three instances where statistical information
was displayed. Where did these numbers come from? Were they
believable or trustworthy? Why?
4. If you sought to answer the same research question, what two
things would you do to improve the credibility of the study and your
findings?
5. Should findings from the study (or your own) be used to modify
law? Explain your opinion.
6. What is your personal response to the author’s/authors’ argument?
7. In what ways does your positioning influence the way you perceive
the author’s/authors’ argument?
No one structure fits all written arguments. However, most college courses require
arguments that consist of the following elements. Below is a basic outline for an
argumentative or persuasive essay. This is only one possible outline or organization.
I. Introductory Paragraph
o Your introductory paragraph sets the stage or the context for the position you are
arguing for.
o This introduction should end with a thesis statement that provides your claim
(what you are arguing for) and the reasons for your position on an issue.
A. Your thesis:
o states what your position on an issue is
o usually appears at the end of the introduction in a short essay
o should be clearly stated and often contains emphatic language (should, ought,
must)
B. Sample Argumentative Thesis
o The production, sale, and possession of assault weapons for private citizens
should be banned in the U.S.
II. Body of your Argument
A. Background Information
o This section of your paper gives the reader the basic information he or she
needs to understand your position. This could be part of the introduction, but
may work as its own section.
B. Reasons or Evidence to Support Your Claim
o All evidence you present in this section should support your position. This is the
heart of your essay. Generally, you begin with a general statement that you back up
with specific details or examples. Depending on how long your argument is, you
will need to devote one to two well–developed paragraphs to each reason/claim or
type of evidence.
o Types of evidence include:
• first–hand examples and experiential knowledge on your topic
(specific examples help your readers connect to your topic in a
way they cannot with abstract ideas)
you can use in argumentation.
SAMPLE
1. Claim: Keeping assault weapons out of private citizens’ hands can lower the
increasing occurrences of barbaric public slayings
• Evidence:
• Jul 93 Law firm murders
• Columbine School Shootings
• University of Virginia incident
• How did these individuals gain access to weapons?
2. Claim: The ban on assault weapons is backed heavily by public opinion, major
organizations, and even law enforcement.
• Evidence:
• 12% favor ban (Much 92 Timetable News)
• Organizational endorsements
• Nat’l Sherriff’s Assoc./lntn’l Assoc. of Police Chiefs
3. Claim: The monetary and human costs incurred by crimes committed with
assault weapons are too great to ignore.
• Evidence:
• 10,561 murders in 1990 by handguns
• Study of 131 injured patients’ medical
expenses paid by public funds
III. Addressing the Opposite Side
o Any well–written argument must anticipate and address positions in
opposition to the one being argued.
o Pointing out what your opposition is likely to say in response to your argument
shows that you have thought critically about your topic. Addressing the
opposite side actually makes your argument stronger!
o Generally, this takes the form of a paragraph that can be placed either after the
introduction or before the conclusion.
OPPOSING VIEWS
A. 1st Opposing View: Strict gun control laws won’t affect crime rate
• Refutation: Low murder rate in Britain, Australia (etc., where strict controls
are in force.
B. 2nd Opposing View: Outlaws would still own guns
• Refutation: Any effort to move trend in opposite direction would benefit
future generations
IV. Conclusion
o The conclusion should bring the essay to a logical end. It should explain what
the importance of your issue is in a larger context. Your conclusion should
also reiterate why your topic is worth caring about.
o Some arguments propose solutions or make prediction on the future of the topic.
o Show your reader what would happen if your argument is or is not believed or
acted upon as you believe it should be.