U2: Developing an Argument and Thesis

Overview of Unit 2

1B. Explain how an argument demonstrates understanding of an audience’s beliefs, values, or needs.

2B. Demonstrate an understanding of an audience’s beliefs, values, or needs.

3A. Identify and explain claims and evidence within an argument.

4A. Develop a paragraph that includes a claim and evidence supporting the claim.

3B. Identify and describe the overarching thesis of an argument, and any indication it provides of the argument’s structure.

4B. Write a thesis statement that requires proof or defense and that may preview the structure of the argument.

Audience Beliefs

● Writers use different strategies to connect with the audience and their beliefs.

● Writers use rhetoric devices and rhetorical appeals to convince the audience of their claims.

● When writing your own argument, make sure to define who your audience is and who you are speaking to. Take into consideration things like:

○ Age

○ Education

○ How familiar they are with your subject matter

○ Their interest

○ Their values and beliefs

Thesis Statements

● A thesis statement outlines the main topics/ideas in a writing. They can also be referred to as the main overarching claims of a piece.

● A strong thesis statement is a defensible claim that outlines your argument.

● Thesis statements can be used as a “preview” for your line of reasoning.

● Make sure to respond to your prompt!

● To write a thesis statement for a rhetorical analysis, state the rhetorical devices used by the author and their purpose. Here’s an example outline and an example from a paper:

○ (Insert Author's last name) strategy one, strategy two, and strategy three, purpose and message

○ President Kennedy sheds light on the hard times the country is going through, elaborates on how an increase in steel prices impacts other industries, and illustrates the harm it does to America’s foreign economic affairs in order to convince the steel industry to stop raising prices.

● Strategies are ways the author develops their argument. These can include things such as comparing, explaining, demonstrating, etc. You can also use the rhetorical devices used by the author in your thesis too, such as word choice, alliteration, imagery, etc.

● This is not the only way/format for writing a thesis statement! As long as the rhetorical choices and purpose are included, you can format it however you want.

● In a thesis statement for a rhetorical analysis, your statement can be based on either devices or strategies. With a device-driven thesis, you describe what the author uses to get their point across. With a strategy-driven thesis statement, you describe what the author does to get their message across.

Power Verbs

● Here is an entire list of verbs that can be used to describe strategies used by the author.