Unit 2 Tips

Unit 2 Project: Some Ideas for You

Instructions:

* Write a paper of no more than one page, double-spaced (11-12 point standard font);

• Presents an argument for a stance you hold.
     o    The argument should be convincing
     o    Use any type of argument you wish
     o    Focus on a single topic / conclusion
     o    Tell me what the conclusion is!
     o    Show me the premises that support the conclusion.
     o    And last but not least, have fun with it!

 

This Process has 3 Steps

1. Identify your topic.

Your sentence should be free of jargon (explain any jargon that is absolutely necessary) and get to the heart of the matter straightaway. Don’t start with a general introduction to your topic and then take four or five sentences to describe it; your goal should be to crystallize the essence of the topic in one excellent sentence. Conciseness, clarity, and focus are crucial. A good point of reference is that the first sentence should be the conclusion that you are going to argue.

Here are some examples of what we call a thesis statement:

• This paper argues that "Gran Torino" should win the Oscar for best picture.
• I will argue here that the Atkins diet is a horrible strategy for losing weight because it compromises health.
• I will show here that Obama was right to sign the Children’s Health Insurance Bill.
• This work will show that the following statement is true: ’2+2=4′ (Yes, you can argue something that obvious and do well on this paper!)

 

2. Why is this topic important?

Here are some examples:

• This paper argues that "Gran Torino" should win the Oscar for best picture. The importance of this thesis is that people should recognize and encourage the greatness of Eastwood’s directing.
  
• I will argue here that the Atkins diet is a horrible strategy for losing weight because it compromises health. Unless this becomes common knowledge, people will continue to put their lives at risk.

 

3. Select a particular argumentation style (inductive, deductive, by illustration, etc.) and compose your argument.

Example:

I will argue here that the Atkins diet is a horrible strategy for losing weight because it compromises health. Unless this becomes common knowledge, people will continue to put their lives at risk. In order to fully grasp the dangers of this diet, a few things should be highlighted.

• Premise 1: First of all, Dr. Atkins, the creator of the diet, weighed 258 pounds when he died. Apparently, the diet did not work for him. [1]
• Premise 2: If the Atkins diet were effective, it would have worked for him.
• Premise 3: Secondly, there is astonishing agreement among researchers that high intakes protein typical in American diets contribute to an increased risk of osteoporosis. [2]
• Premise 4: Thirdly, many physicians and nutritionists have concerns that high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets may have adverse long-term health effects. [3]
• Premise 5: And finally, even if the experts are wrong, we should not be risking our health with an experimental and largely untested method.

 

4. Restate / Repeat the Conclusion in other Words, and Conclude (Bore me with Repetition!)

Example:

Hence, as the expert data and opinions show, the Atkins diet horrible strategy for losing weight because it likely compromises health. In any case, even if the experts are wrong, we should be careful prior to altering our eating habits in such ways suggested by the diet–at least until the evidence is in and long-term studies have been conducted.

.

Notes

[1] "Atkins died a fat man," (2004) Retrieved Wednesday February 4th, 2009 from: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/5822.php

[2] Reddy ST, Wang CY, Sakhaee K, Brinkley L, and Pak CY. Effect of low-carbohydrate

high-protein diets on acid-base balance, stone-forming propensity, and calcium

metabolism. Am J Kidney Dis; 2002 Aug; 40(2):265-74.

[3] "Is the Atkins diet safe?" (2003) Retrieved Wednesday February 4th, 2009 from: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/4719.php