How can you write a convincing argument?

1 A: Analyze your audience

Before you start writing, you need to understand who your audience is, what they already know, what they care about, and what they expect from you. This will help you tailor your argument to their needs, interests, and values. For example, if you are writing an argument for a scientific journal, you need to use formal language, cite credible sources, and provide evidence-based reasoning. If you are writing an argument for a social media platform, you need to use engaging language, address common objections, and provide emotional appeals.

2 R: Research your topic

To write a convincing argument, you need to have a solid grasp of your topic, its background, its context, and its implications. You need to do thorough research to find relevant and reliable information that can support your claims, counter your opponents, and fill in any gaps in your knowledge. You can use different sources, such as books, articles, reports, surveys, interviews, or experiments, but make sure to evaluate their quality, accuracy, and bias. You also need to acknowledge and cite your sources properly to avoid plagiarism and show respect for other authors.

4 U: Use the Toulmin model

The Toulmin model is a useful tool to structure and organize your argument. It consists of six elements: claim, data, warrant, backing, qualifier, and rebuttal. A claim is the statement that you are making or the conclusion that you are drawing. Data is the evidence or facts that you use to support your claim. Warrant is the reasoning or logic that connects your data to your claim. Backing is the additional information or explanation that strengthens your warrant. Qualifier is the word or phrase that limits or modifies your claim, such as "sometimes", "usually", or "in most cases". Rebuttal is the acknowledgment and response to the possible objections or counterarguments that your opponents may raise.

5 E: Edit and revise your writing

The final step to write a convincing argument is to edit and revise your writing. Editing involves checking and correcting your grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formatting. Revising involves reviewing and improving your content, structure, style, and tone. You should edit and revise your writing several times, and if possible, get feedback from others. You should also read your writing aloud or use a text-to-speech tool to catch any errors or awkward sentences. By editing and revising your writing, you can enhance your clarity, coherence, and credibility.