Argument Analysis Organization

Introduction (1 paragraph)

• Start with a “hook” to capture the reader’s attention (an interesting quote from the article, a noteworthy statistic, a hypothetical question, a real-life related situation, etc.)
• Provide some background info on the topic (Why is this a conversation worth having? Why are people talking/writing/having differing opinions about it?)
• Introduce the author (name/credentials) & article title (properly capitalized, in quotation marks)
• Who is the intended audience and purpose of the article?
• THESIS (topic + your point)

Summary (1 paragraph)

• Author’s main idea (the argument and his/her stance on it). Use a signal phrase to introduce it.
• Summarize the main reasons the author gives in support of his/her position.
• Leave out detailed evidence. You may briefly summarize the evidence in a list sentence, but avoid discussing. You will discuss evidence in the analysis.
• Minimal (if any) quoting here. Put the author’s ideas in your own words.

Analysis (1 paragraph of discussion for each claim; 3 claims minimum)

• Analyze rhetorical situations/pillars of argument used by the author to make his/her argument.
• If your thesis says the author’s argument is strong, then look for the reasons and evidence that makes it so strong and explain why.
• If your thesis says the author’s argument is weak, then look for the reasons and evidence that fails to make a strong argument and discuss why.
• If your thesis says both (strong in some places, weak in others) then your discussion should show examples of were it was strong and why and where is was weak and why.
• ANALYSIS = CLAIM + EVIDENCE + EXPLANATION
• Make claims about the rhetorical situation/pillars of argument. All claims should relate to thesis.
• Support claims with at least one specific example from the article (quoting works well here).
• Explain how the examples you chose support the claims you made. These are YOUR thoughts.
• New claim? New paragraph. Remember to use a transition to your next paragraph.

Conclusion (1 paragraph)

• Return to the idea in your thesis. Did the author make a strong, logical argument?
• Draw some conclusions about who would/wouldn’t be persuaded by the author’s argument
• Ring in with YOUR opinion. Do you agree with the author? Did the author change your mind? Do you respect the author’s argument even if you disagree?
• Offer a concluding statement. A good one for this paper is to comment on the future of this argument. Will it be resolved any time soon? Will it ever be resolved? Why or why not?