Week 6, Day 2 (Ch. 23: The Argument Essay)

Chapter 23: The Argument Essay (starts p. 481)

Example instructions on p. 481 and 482.

The main goal: to critique an argument and provide support for your critique as well as solutions to the problems with the essay prompt. Think about how the argument can be made stronger and why.

Remember: ALL arguments have flaws (especially on the GRE/GMAT!)

Kaplan Method:

1. Deconstruct the argument (2 minutes)

- identify premises & conclusion

- locate (unstated) assumptions

- USE the scratch paper

- characterize the evidence:

a. Sampling/Representation/Generalization (from a sample group to a larger population)

Strategy: show that the sample does NOT necessarily represent the larger population, i.e. the sample is not representative.

b. Analogy/Similarity (from one similarity to other similarities)

Strategy: show that there are possible disanalogies/dissimilarities, i.e. just because the two things are similar in one way does not mean they are similar in any other way(s).

c. Cause & Effect/Prediction (from cause to effect or vice versa)

Strategy: show that there are other possible causes AND that causation is not correlation, i.e., having a connection between two events does not mean one causes the other.

Remember to critique both the content and the structure of the argument!

2. Select the points you will make (~5 minutes)

- FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS

- note ambiguous terms that need definition

- note assumptions that are problematic/flawed

- think of overlooked possibilities

- think of additional evidence which would strengthen or weaken the argument

- Your conclusion: “Without additional evidence we should be skeptical of the author’s claim.” Or, “Because of the above problematic assumptions, the argument as it is presented is weak.” Or, “Without changes to the structure and content of the argument, the author’s conclusion is weak.” Etc. argument is: unpersuasive, unconvincing, uncogent, weak, skeptical, unwarranted, etc. BUT NEVER USE THE WORDS invalid/unsound or valid/sound.

3. Organize/Template (~1 minute)
- eliminate the weakest points you have brainstormed and choose the strongest (i.e., the ones you can write the most about)
My preferred Template:

1. Introduction paragraph
1. Restate prompt – paraphrase in your own words! "As I understand it, the author is arguing that..."
2. Summarize your goal according to the instructions (evidence? assumptions? questions? alternative explanations?)
3. State your thesis: “The argument is weak/unconvincing because…(list three reasons).”
2. Body Paragraph 1
1. State one flaw: assumption, question, or alternative explanation
2. Evaluate statement - explain how & why this is a weakness/problem/flaw in the argument
3. Propose a possible solution
4. Explain how this would fix the problem/solve the flaw/strengthen the argument
3. Body Paragraph 2 (ditto)
4. Body Paragraph 3 (ditto)
5. Additional Paragraph if time permits (ditto)
6. Conclusion
1. Summarize your main points
2. Address the instructions again
3. State that the argument is weak/unconvincing/not persuasive unless additional evidence is provided.

The Kaplan Template:

1. Introduction
1. Restate prompt
2. Summarize your goal according to the instructions
3. State your thesis
2. Body Paragraph 1
1. State an important assumption, question, or alternative explanation
2. Evaluate that statement
3. Body Paragraph 2 (ditto)
4. Body Paragraph 3 (ditto)
5. Additional Paragraph, time permitting (ditto)
6. Penultimate Paragraph (Second-to-Last Paragraph)
1. State what, if true, could improve the argument or make it stronger
2. Do this for each paragraph above: offer a solution to each problem you described: problem in paragraph 1's solution, paragraph 2's solution, 3's solution, 4's solution, 5's solution
7. Conclusion
1. Summarize
2. Address the instructions
3. State that the argument is weak, etc.

4. Type your essay (20 minutes)

- Type! Start and end with strong statements.

- BE SURE to use transition statements for each paragraph

5. Proofread (2 minutes)

- skim for typos, errors, capitalization issues, redundancies, etc.

- go backwards sentence by sentence to catch those errors

Additional tips:

-        Identify subsidiary conclusions: claims (supported by evidence) used as evidence for the ultimate conclusion (the author’s main point); also look for subsidiary assumptions

-        DON’T attack the evidence itself – the author is not lying about what they say in the premises, but they DO have logical flaws in connecting that evidence to their conclusion

-        DON’T attack the conclusion itself – it may well be true, it just is NOT supported by the evidence given

-        Go step by step, don’t skip ahead

-        KISS (keep it simple, sweetie) – be clear and linear, not overcomplicated, and avoid using words that you don’t know the definitions of just because you think they sound impressive

-        Make sure your conclusion is strong; some variation of “The author’s argument is weak/inadequate/unconvincing/not persuasive because there is not sufficient evidence” is what we need.

Essay Rubric for both Issue and Argument Essays:

1. Overall, it makes sense

2. It directly responds to the prompt and stays on topic

3. It is thorough and addresses each part of the instructions

4. The introduction paraphrases the topic

5. Both sides are considered

6. The examples make sense

7. The examples are detailed

8. The examples are explained

9. Strong conclusion

10. Well organized (uses transitions)

11. Mostly correct grammar and spelling

12. Appropriate length (minimum of five paragraphs, five sentences each)

11/12 = 5.5/6 = 91.67; 

10/12 = 5/6 = 83.33; 

9/12 = 4.5/6 = 75; etc.