Generating a Thesis

1. What is the question at issue? As well-known author John Gage points out in his text, The Shape of Reason, "Argumentative writing is writing in which the writer takes a stance and offers reasons in support of it." The beginning point is "a problem at hand, a question that needs answering."

2. Decide how you feel about the question at issue. What is your personal belief? What solution would you propose? How would you answer the question posed?

3. Write down your personal belief about the question at issue in the form of a claim. The claim should answer the question, what are you trying to prove? Claims of value attempt to prove some things are more or less desirable than others. This type of claim expresses approval or disapproval of standards of taste and morality. Claims of policy assert that specific policies or courses of action should be instituted as solutions to problems. Claims of fact assert that a condition has existed, exists, or will exist (adapted from Rottenberg, Elements of Argument, Ch. 2).

4. Brainstorm to obtain ideas to support your claim. You might use facts, statistics, expert testimony, personal experience and observation, and/or motivational appeals (to values and attitudes), among others.

5. Think about your audience--to whom are you writing? Are they likely to agree with you or disagree with you? Decide what types of support will be most effective in advancing your argument to this particular audience.

6. Write out an expanded version of the claim to help put all the pieces together: Although many people believe that . . . , I think we should . . . because . . . reason1 . . . reason 2 . . . reason 3 . . . (for as many reasons as you have). This type of statement, although it will never appear in your essay, will help you pinpoint what those who don't agree with your point of view believe, what those who do agree with you believe and thus what your own underlying assumptions are, and what your most powerful arguments will be. This statement will also help you construct a working outline for your essay; each reason becomes a topic heading in the body section of your outline.

7. Develop your supporting evidence and draft your essay. Use the rough structure in #6 to help pinpoint weak spots, prepare an outline and organize your essay, and get started.