The Argumentative Synthesisa.k.a.

The Ultimate Essay!

Argument Argumentative Synthesis

The Limits of Argument

Assumption: What the author believes to be true

Supports: What the author uses to make the truth(s) apparent

Claim: What the author proposes to do or what the

author wants the reader to do. What the author offers as an explanation (a new

explanation) of something, some event, some phenomenon, etc.

ArgumentArgumentative

SynthesisThe Limits

of Argument

Assumption: The American dream is different from what it used to be but we deny this fact.

Supports: It's no longer easy for people—even those work hard—to gain success in life. Government reduces services for citizens.

Claim: We need to acknowledge the fact that the American dream is dead before we can do anything about it.

ArgumentArgumentative

SynthesisThe Limits

of Argument

Assumption: Many people can share the same assumption(s)

Supports: Events, phenomena, textual sources, history, experiments, etc.

Claim: ●proposes a new explanation of something, some event, some issue, etc.●Proposes something for the reader to do

ArgumentArgumentative

SynthesisThe Limits

of Argument

Argument Argumentative Synthesis

The Limits of Argument

Argumentative Synthesis

Presenting an argument (with all its basic

elements)

supported by more than one source

put together

Argument Argumentative Synthesis

The Limits of Argument

Two common ways

● Spotting the problem● Claim (& assumption)● Supports.

● Spotting the problem● Supports (& assumption)● Claim.

Argument Argumentative Synthesis

The Limits of Argument

Making an argument..... about something....

supported by various sources.

Argument Argumentative Synthesis

The Limits of Argument

Present and Respond to Counterargument

“demonstrate that you are aware of the other side of the argument

and you are prepared to answer it.” (A Sequence for Academic Writing, p. 166)

Argument Argumentative Synthesis

The Limits of Argument

The three appeals• Logos• Eros• Pathos

Stick with the logos!