Skip to Main Content

Information Literacy and Library Instruction: How Do I Organize My Argument?

Use Information - Part Seven: How Do I Organize My Argument?

Learning Objectives

  • Researchers will understand the importance of creating an outline
  • Researchers will understand the difference between a literal audience and an implied audience
  • Researchers will understand how to arrange their argument in a way that is likely to prove most persuasive to their implied audience
  • Researchers will recognize and understand the importance of an introduction, context, definitions, refutation of counterarguments, subclaims and evidence, and a conclusion

Beyond the Five-Paragraph Essay

  • Benefits of creating an outline
  • How to organize longer, more scholarly papers
  • Six basic elements of a good research paper
  • Best for beginning level
  • 1m 22s

Two Audiences

  • Writing for a literal and an implied audience
  • Beginning to intermediate level
  • 2m 6s

Introduction

  • What makes a good introduction
  • Captures attention, why reader should care, articulates writer's main points
  • Examples of strategies not to use
  • Best for beginning level
  • 2m 6s

Context

  • Defines context
  • How and what context to give; directly related to your major points
  • What is original and compelling about your argument?
  • Best for beginning to intermediate level
  • 1m 18s

Definitions

  • Explains provisional definitions; how you are defining the word for your paper
  • Best for beginning research instruction
  • 1m 2s

Subclaims and Evidence

  • Defines subclaims and why they are important
  • How to provide subclaims with evidence
  • The two principle methods of organizing subclaims and their evidence
  • Beginning to advanced classes
  • 1m 36s

Refutation of Counterarguments

  • How to address counterarguments and why this is important
  • Three types of counterarguments
  • Refuting versus acknowledging counterarguments
  • Best for intermediate to advanced research instruction
  • 2m 41s

Conclusion

  • Revisiting the introduction
  • Reiterate your strongest points in conclusion
  • Addressing weak points, acknowledge limitations, suggest further research
  • Memorable final sentence
  • Beginning to intermediate level
  • 1m 49s

Checklist

  • Make an outline of your paper
  • Identify your implied audience, the main readers you will be targeting in your paper.
  • Write an introduction that captures the interest of your readers, establishes a need for your paper, and communicates your main point.
  • Provide the context and definitions your readers will need to understand and follow your argument
  • Order your subclaims in a logical progression or from least to most persuasive.
  • Refute counterarguments either outright or by showing that they don't seriously undermine your argument.
  • Write a conclusion that briefly summarizes your paper, suggest limitations, and provides closure.

Terms

  • Context
  • Conterargumetns
  • Implied Audience
  • Provisional Definition
  • Refute
  • Subclaim