CompFAQ/Support: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 09:12, 27 August 2023

📝 English Composition Writing FAQ	1101 • 1102 • 📖

Supporting Arguments in College Essays

Crafting a strong argument is a crucial aspect of writing a successful college essay. However, an argument alone is not enough to persuade your audience. To effectively convince your reader of your position, you need to provide strong support for your argument. Support refers to the general backing that you provide for your argument and can come in many forms, including evidence, research, examples, and personal experiences. But how do you know what type of support to use and how to use it effectively? In this post, we will explore the art of supporting arguments in college essays and provide you with some tips and strategies to help you make your case effectively.

Supporting an argument is one of the most critical elements of writing a college essay. Without effective support, your essay can come across as unfounded or simply your opinion, which can diminish its impact on the reader. The key to successful support is using a variety of primary and secondary sources to bolster your argument.

Primary sources are original documents or firsthand accounts, such as interviews, diaries, letters, literary texts, or artworks that provide direct evidence for your argument. Secondary sources, on the other hand, are works that interpret, analyze, or comment on primary sources. Examples of secondary sources include books, articles, and essays written by scholars or experts in the field.

When using primary sources, evaluate their credibility, relevance, and accuracy. Make sure the source is reputable and unbiased, and that it directly supports your argument. Additionally, be mindful of how you incorporate primary sources into your essay. Direct quotations can be powerful, but they should be used sparingly and only when they serve a specific purpose. Paraphrasing or summarizing a primary source can be just as effective and more seamless in your writing.

Secondary sources can provide valuable context and analysis for your argument, but again, be sure to choose sources that are reputable and relevant. When using secondary sources, cite them properly and integrate them smoothly into your writing. Be sure to accurately represent the author’s ideas and arguments, and to clearly show how they support your own argument.

Ultimately, effective support requires a balance of primary and secondary sources, as well as thoughtful and deliberate integration into your writing. By using a variety of sources and carefully considering their relevance and credibility, you can strengthen your argument and create a more compelling essay.

note: For more on supporting your argument, see “Use Strong Evidence and Examples” for specific types of support, and “The Power of Research: Enhancing Your College Essays” for how to find and cite strong sources.

Written: 2002, 2022; Revised: 08-27-2023; Version: Beta 0.7		💬

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-'''Development''' refers to the process of expanding and supporting an idea or argument with relevant details, examples, evidence, and analysis. It involves taking a basic idea or [[CompFAQ/Thesis|thesis statement]] and adding depth, complexity, and context to it.
+{{Large|Supporting Arguments in College Essays}}
-Development is an important aspect of effective writing, as it helps to clarify and strengthen your ideas and arguments, and provides [[CompFAQ/Audience|your readers]] with the information they need to fully understand your message. It can include using relevant examples and evidence, providing detailed explanations and analysis, and addressing potential counterarguments or opposing viewpoints.
+{{See also|CompFAQ/Development|CompFAQ/Evidence|CompFAQ/Research}}
-Effective development in writing requires careful planning and organization, as well as a strong understanding of the topic or issue at hand. It also involves being able to clearly and concisely communicate your ideas and arguments to your intended audience.
+{{dc|C}}{{start|rafting a strong argument}} is a crucial aspect of writing a successful college essay. However, an [[CompFAQ/Thesis|argument]] alone is not enough to [[CompFAQ/Persuasive Writing|persuade]] your [[CompFAQ/Audience|audience]]. To effectively convince your reader of your position, you need to provide strong support for your argument. Support refers to the general backing that you provide for your argument and can come in many forms, including [[CompFAQ/Evidence|evidence]], [[CompFAQ/Research|research]], examples, and personal experiences. But how do you know what type of support to use and how to use it effectively? In this post, we will explore the art of supporting arguments in college essays and provide you with some tips and strategies to help you make your case effectively.
-When developing an argument, consider these guidelines:
+Supporting an argument is one of the most critical elements of writing a college essay. Without effective support, your essay can come across as unfounded or simply your opinion, which can diminish its impact on the reader. The key to successful support is using a variety of primary and secondary sources to bolster your argument.
-# '''Use a clear and concise [[CompFAQ/Topic|topic sentence]]''': Start each paragraph with a clear and concise topic sentence that states the main point you want to make in that paragraph.
-# '''Provide evidence to support your argument''': Use evidence to support your claims, such as statistics, expert opinions, examples, and anecdotes. Make sure your evidence is credible and relevant to your argument.
-# '''Analyze and explain your evidence''': Don’t just provide evidence, but also analyze and explain how it supports your argument. Show how the evidence relates to your topic sentence and overall argument.
-# '''Address counterarguments''': Anticipate and address potential counterarguments or opposing viewpoints. This shows that you have considered other perspectives and strengthens your own argument.
-# '''Use transition words''': Use transition words and phrases to connect your ideas and make your argument flow smoothly. This helps your readers follow your train of thought and understand your argument better.
-# '''Use effective [[CompFAQ/Organization|organization]]''': Organize your argument logically and effectively. You may want to use a specific organizational structure, such as chronological, cause-and-effect, or problem-solution, to help clarify your argument.
-By using these strategies, you can develop a strong and persuasive argument in the body of your essay. Remember to stay focused on your main argument and provide evidence to support it.
+'''[[CompFAQ/Research/Primary Sources|Primary sources]]''' are original documents or firsthand accounts, such as interviews, diaries, letters, literary texts, or artworks that provide direct evidence for your argument. '''[[CompFAQ/Research/Secondary Sources|Secondary sources]]''', on the other hand, are works that [[CompFAQ/Interpretation|interpret]], [[CompFAQ/Analysis|analyze]], or comment on primary sources. Examples of secondary sources include books, articles, and essays written by scholars or experts in the field.
-===Types of Evidence===
+When using primary sources, [[CompFAQ/Evaluation|evaluate]] their credibility, relevance, and accuracy. Make sure the source is reputable and unbiased, and that it directly supports your argument. Additionally, be mindful of how you incorporate primary sources into your essay. Direct quotations can be powerful, but they should be used sparingly and only when they serve a specific purpose. Paraphrasing or summarizing a primary source can be just as effective and more seamless in your writing.
-The type of evidence you need to support or develop your argument will depend on the specific topic and context of your essay. However, in general, here are some types of evidence you may consider using to support your argument:
-# '''Statistics and data''': Numbers and statistics can provide objective evidence to support your argument. This can include data from reputable sources, such as government agencies or academic research studies.
-# '''Expert testimony''': Quoting experts in your field or related fields can help to establish your credibility and support your argument. This can include quotes from published articles, books, or interviews with experts.
-# '''Examples and anecdotes''': Providing specific examples and anecdotes can help to illustrate your argument and make it more relatable to your audience. This can include personal experiences or stories, as well as examples from history or current events.
-# '''Logical reasoning''': Logical reasoning involves using deductive or inductive reasoning to support your argument. This can include making a clear and compelling case based on facts, examples, and expert opinions.
-# '''Counterarguments and rebuttals''': Acknowledging and addressing counterarguments can help to strengthen your argument by showing that you have considered opposing viewpoints and can provide compelling responses to them.
-===Getting Evidence===
+Secondary sources can provide valuable context and analysis for your argument, but again, be sure to choose sources that are reputable and relevant. When using secondary sources, cite them properly and integrate them smoothly into your writing. Be sure to accurately represent the author’s ideas and arguments, and to clearly show how they support your own argument.
-When using evidence to support your argument, it’s important to ensure that the evidence is relevant, credible, and properly cited. You should also use a variety of evidence types to provide a well-rounded and compelling case for your argument.
-The best place to get evidence to support your argument will depend on the specific topic and context of your essay. However, here are some general sources to consider:
+Ultimately, effective support requires a balance of primary and secondary sources, as well as thoughtful and deliberate integration into your writing. By using a variety of sources and carefully considering their relevance and credibility, you can strengthen your argument and create a more compelling essay.
-# '''Academic research articles''': Academic journals are perhaps the best source of information and can provide you with the latest research and data on your topic.
-# '''Books''': Books can provide in-depth analysis and perspective on a topic and are often written by experts in the field. Consider books published by university presses before those by more popular publishing houses.
-# '''Government publications''': Government reports and statistics can provide objective data and information on a wide range of topics.
-# '''Expert interviews''': Interviewing experts in your field or related fields can provide firsthand insights and perspectives on your topic. Also, published interviews in periodicals and books are also strong sources.
-# '''Online databases''': Online databases, such as JSTOR or ProQuest, can provide access to a wide range of full-text academic articles and research studies. These are often available through your university library.
-# '''Reliable websites''': Websites such as those run by reputable organizations or academic institutions can provide credible information and data.
-When using evidence to support your argument, it’s important to ensure that the evidence is relevant, credible, and properly cited. Be sure to evaluate your sources carefully and choose the most reliable and relevant ones for your argument.
+{{A note}} For more on supporting your argument, see “[[CompFAQ/Evidence|Use Strong Evidence and Examples]]” for specific types of support, and “[[CompFAQ/Research|The Power of Research: Enhancing Your College Essays]]” for how to find and cite strong sources.
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+[[Category:Research (FAQ)]]
+[[Category:Rhetoric (FAQ)]]