Hi. I have been instructed to write an argumentative essay that focuses on two conflicting views and how the two views can come to an agreement with proper easoning. I have chosen the topic of global warming. I will first states how global warming is a genuine threat to our planet. Then after that I will provide the contrary belief that global warming is not a threat to our planet, the temperatures change constantly thoughout different eras. Then I plan on developing reasoning as to how these two conflicting views can come to an agreement about their differences. I am having a hard time developing a theseis that will keep my paper organized. Do you have any suggestions? I would truly appreciate some help. Thank you.
Argumentative essay about global warming (two conflicting views)
state theses for both views in your intro (2 sentences), then say while the belief that -pro view- seemingly contrasts with -con view-, these actually have much in common in that -your own view-.
then organize your essay as in depth discussion of pro view, con view, and your own view.
It's a great idea as long as you have PLENTY of support.
then organize your essay as in depth discussion of pro view, con view, and your own view.
It's a great idea as long as you have PLENTY of support.
Don't do the thesis first! Do it after you have written several paragraphs about both views. You have a LOT of work to do, because this is a difficult subject. Many people believe that global warming is not real, and many believe that it might be real but that various interest groups are using it with ulterior motives (i.e. tax the heck out of us).
Some new info recently came out... I saw something on the news about scientists working to cover up evidence that global waring was not occurring!!
It is a very difficult topic to write about with confidence. Perhaps you will have more success with it than I have! Obviously emissions of greenhouse gases are not good, but it is also obvious that stakeholders warp this sort of thing to suit their agenda!
You have to read lots of articles. Write a paragraph about each, and then start trying to reconcile. At the END, carve out a thesis.
Some new info recently came out... I saw something on the news about scientists working to cover up evidence that global waring was not occurring!!
It is a very difficult topic to write about with confidence. Perhaps you will have more success with it than I have! Obviously emissions of greenhouse gases are not good, but it is also obvious that stakeholders warp this sort of thing to suit their agenda!
You have to read lots of articles. Write a paragraph about each, and then start trying to reconcile. At the END, carve out a thesis.
Don't do the thesis first! Do it after you have written several paragraphs about both views.
I thought that in a research paper especially, you have to state your thesis before doing anything else.
Or else the intro serves absolutely nothing. Correct me if I'm wrong.
At the END, carve out a thesis
But if you put your thesis in the conclusion, the reader has to FIND OUT what you are talking about throughout, which will not only distract, but also confuse the reader if he/she misinterpreted your ideas.
To guarantee clarity, wouldn't it be best to put thesis first?
It is a very difficult topic to write about with confidence. Perhaps you will have more success with it than I have! Obviously emissions of greenhouse gases are not good, but it is also obvious that stakeholders warp this sort of thing to suit their agenda!
Well, it would be good if you were in environmental science, that's all the class talks about right?
I thought that in a research paper especially, you have to state your thesis before doing anything else.
Or else the intro serves absolutely nothing. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Or else the intro serves absolutely nothing. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Yes, when reading the essay, we encounter the thesis at the start. I am actually trying to say something about the writing process:
1.) read an article and write a little paragraph about what it accomplishes.
2.) repeat that process untill you have lots of paragraphs...
3.) arrange the paragraphs in a good sequence.
4.) go to the beginning of the essay and introduce the big stupid thing...
That is how I think about constructing a paper.
ut if you put your thesis in the conclusion, the reader has to FIND OUT what you are talking about throughout
I did not mean that the thesis should be in the conclusion! :-) I meant that at the end of your work process you should go back to the top of the page and write the intro.
:-) I am glad to be able to share these ideas with you, Yang, because you have helped so many people in these forums.
That is how I think about constructing a paper.
yup, you are totally right. that's exactly how some people write.
in my case, though, I HAVE to know exactly how to write my essays before starting it... or else I won't know what to focus on... I guess it depends on your thinking and preference.
I did not mean that the thesis should be in the conclusion! :-) I meant that at the end of your work process you should go back to the top of the page and write the intro.
haha, got you. i had thought something was not right, a sharp editor like you shouldn't make such a beginner mistake.
:-) I am glad to be able to share these ideas with you, Yang, because you have helped so many people in these forums.
haha, thanks, but you overstate my contribution. Simply trying to improve my own writing by seeing others' ideas, and why not give some help on the way? Compared to experienced editor/writers like you, I really can't do much. <= this is not in any sarcastic, I'm completely sincere
But definitely, I hope to interact with you in future posts! Actually, I plan to post an essay tomorrow for review, I'd LOVE to get your opinion.
Thanks in advance!
in my case, though, I HAVE to know exactly how to write my essays before starting it...
It depends on what you are writing. If you are writing about your own thoughts, it is important to know what your plan is. If you are writing a research paper that is supposed to include several articles, it is good to just start reading, and then write a paragraph after each time you read an article (citing the author in your paragraph), and organize them later!! I think that is the only way to get through a research paper.
Compared to experienced editor/writers like you, I really can't do much.
Well... I notice the great feedback you have been giving. It is indeed valuable. I look forward to your essay!
include several articles, it is good to just start reading, and then write a paragraph after each time you read an article (citing the author in your paragraph), and organize them later!!
i recently (like last week) finished a research on THE METAMORPHOSIS. we had to do those annotated bibs, which states how we are going to use the articles and stuff. but it was weird cuz i pretty much did my research first, like find out what i'll talk about, and then did the annotated bibs. it's a really awkward way, but my logic is that i didn't want to put stuff not relevant in those annotated bibs, so if i don't know what i'll talk about, then i might include random stuff, then delete it...i definitely agree with you though. research should be done that way. in the future, i might be converted, who knows?
Well... I notice the great feedback you have been giving.
thanks for the encouragement!
explain both views first and dont forget to give counter argument.
it was weird cuz i pretty much did my research first, like find out what i'll talk about, and then did the annotated bibs. it's a really awkward way, but my logic is that i didn't want to put stuff not relevant in those annotated bibs
Yes, it can be awkward! This is an important topic.
You know, a research essay can be a lot like an annotated bib. From one para to the next, you tell what researchers showed with their studies, and you quote what people said about the topic.
So, maybe you might be arguing something weirdly interesting -- for example, maybe you might end your first para with a thesis sentence that says that the Metamorphosis was largely autobiographical -- through symbolism, it reflected the life of Kafka -- so what you would do is...
A Clever Trick of Interpretation for Yang to Use
Read 5 articles by people who analyzed it, and tell all the stuff they say that supports YOUR argument!
I am mentioning this, because I think it can help you. It's a trick. You can use almost any article to support your argument, as long as you interpret it strategically -- like a clever attorney would interpret the facts of a case to support her argument. This is a good skill to have, ha ha.
But you are right; it can be awkward to make a bibliography before you make the paper, because you don't know what will be relevant! That is why it is important to know this trick of clever interpretation.
:-)
Read 5 articles by people who analyzed it, and tell all the stuff they say that supports YOUR argument!
Yes, actually, our annotated bibs are supposed to be:
summary
what you agree/disagree
how does this source support your thesis (the reader HAS to know exactly how you are going to use this source)
You can use almost any article to support your argument, as long as you interpret it strategically
Basically, I use part of some of the sources (not like taking a couple of words and twist the critic's meaning, but actually conforms to that critic's point) and use them in my essay.
I think that in using the sources, the writer basically has to know exactly what he/she's going to talk about and use the sources in accordance, so it doesn't really matter which comes first, the research paper or the bibs. I realize just now that it would be easier to do the bibs so that you don't have to reread the sources when it comes to writing the paper. I guess that last time, I was really pressed on time and simply started the research, then went back and paraphrased the research to do the bibs (awkward... it was supposed to be the opposite)