39 Prewriting the Argumentative
Exploring Topics
You never really start an argument with a blank page. There is almost always an ongoing conversation about an issue.
If you are choosing your own topic, you should
- Take notes on current disputes on television, the radio, and other media.
- Write down the major issues you and others find yourselves discussing or posting about on social media.
- Select from class notes issues that are raised and that interest you.
Before you enter a conversation, it helps to be informed. You can do research by reading. If your paper is based on sources, you may want to review information about proper documentation. You may want to talk to others to get their views on the matter. Or you might make your own formal or informal observations.
As you explore your topic, you should be prepared to focus your questions.
Writing Exercise: Exploring topics for an argumentative essay
Read the following questions, and write the first ideas that come to your mind. Think of two or three ideas for each topic.
Example: Does age matter in a relationship?
I don’t know. Love is love, but there could be problems.
What if the older person doesn’t want children?
- What should children learn about cellphone, email, and online etiquette?
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- Should college students be permitted to carry concealed weapons on campus? Why or why not?
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- What are some of the major controversial issues in your neighborhood, workplace, college, state, or country? List some issues.
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Developing Your Argument
- Research your topic, examining all sides of the issue.
- Create a table with the major options on your position with the available reasons and evidence.
- Create a dialogue that tries to represent different sides of the issue to try out your argument.
- Write down your major reasons and link to evidence and justification for evidence.
- Identify the purpose and audience for your argument and use that to select reasons, evidence, and approach.
- Create a draft outline to help see how the reasons and evidence fit together and brainstorm for possible objections, then answer objections.
