The Structure of Academic Arguments by

Introduction

2022-09-07 17:02:31 UTC

All arguments contain certain elements, and if any of the elements are missing, the argument will not be successful. You can apply this concept to arguments made in a court AND arguments made in an academic setting.

1) They must first set the stage for the argument: why the reader should care.

2022-09-07 17:13:53 UTC

In a court case, this would be the crime itself. In an academic essay, this would be the "topic." It's introduced in the introductory paragraph and would present the subject of the paper using a personal story, statistics, or a case study, etc.

2) They must ask a question either explicitly or implicitly.

2022-09-07 17:15:51 UTC

In a court case, this question would be "Who committed the crime?" In an academic essay, it's the overall question you want to answer.

3: They must answer the question by making a claim.

2022-09-07 17:16:27 UTC

In a court case, the lawyers involved would say "X did the crime" or "X did NOT do the crime." In an academic essay, this part is your "thesis."

4: The claim - or thesis - must be supported by evidence.

2024-08-17 17:39:14 UTC

In a court case, this would be: "Here are all the reasons why X committed the crime." In an academic essay - depending on the type of essay - this will be your data, statistics, personal anecdotes, all from reliable sources, that you'll use to support your thesis.

5. They should address the counterarguments and/or fallacies.

cathyjones71 — 2024-09-02 14:25:40 UTC

In a court case: "Here's what the other side will tell you...." or "You might think that..." In an academic argument, you would address the other sides of the issue and make sure that you are not being misleading or disregarding nuances.

6. They should end with some conclusions.

cathyjones71 — 2024-09-02 14:30:57 UTC

In a court case, the lawyers would return to their claim: "You'll now agree with me that X committed the crime." In an academic argument, you will bring your reader to the place you want them to land.