Whether you are writing an essay, research paper, or something more voluminous and serious like a term paper or dissertation, in most cases, you will need to present a unique argument and build your work around it. An argument is basically your stance on the topic. It should reflect your vision of the subject matter and, at the same time, be supported by valid evidence to convince your lecturer and other readers of the correctness of your point of view.
The good thing about arguments is that we develop them every day. For example, when you decide to buy a car, you will likely formulate a number of points for and against to support your decision. The same approach applies to academic arguments. The only trick is that they must be much more compelling and fact-based.
If you were assigned to write an academic paper and feel stuck, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, an expert from one of the greatest
term paper writing services out there will share with you some actionable tips on how to develop an effective stance on the topic step by step. Let’s dive in!
Step 1: Deconstruct the Assignment
According to professional term paper writing services, one of the biggest issues facing students in
academic writing is the banal lack of assignment understanding. Many students tend to skip the important part of studying the given guidelines and deconstructing the assignment question. Yet, this is always the first and the main thing you should do in order to craft a compelling argument.
Carefully read the assignment given by your lecturer. You need to understand what exactly is expected of you. Then, look at the main question from different angles. This will help you generate some ideas and make further steps simpler.
Step 2: Map an Initial Stance on the Subject Matter
After studying the assignment, use the knowledge you already have to outline your initial stance on it. Brainstorm and note down different ideas related to the given question.
Please note that the stance you formulate at this point will be purely tentative. That is, it might change significantly later as you conduct your research.
Step 3: Collect Other Opinions and Preliminary Evidence
The next stage is where your research begins. By this point, you should already have some ideas on the given topic, and now you need to validate and fine-tune them.
At first, a simple Google research might give you some cues on what others are thinking about your topic. However, the experts from trusted term paper
writing services recommend taking your research deeper. In order to craft a truly compelling argument, you need to refer to credible and up-to-date sources. These can include textbooks, peer-reviewed articles, journal articles, data from government and educational websites, etc. In order to create an A-level paper, be very attentive to the choice of your sources and always double-check the information you find.
Step 4: Revise Your Tentative Stance
Now that you have more information and valid evidence at hand revise the initial stance you formulated earlier. Has it changed after the research? If not, you can move on to the next stage. If yes, you need to look back on your list of ideas and refine them based on the knowledge you acquired.
Here is a pro tip from the term paper writing services experts - in order to make the process easier, make it a rule to bookmark all credible sources you find and note down all important thoughts/impressions that you get from reading them. This will help you revise your stance with ease. Also, a list of facts, thoughts, and evidence will come in handy and save you time during the writing stage.
Step 5: Formulate Your Central Argument
After you revise your opinion on the topic, it’s time to make a statement. At this point, you should primarily rely on two things:
- The main assignment question;
- The notes from your research.
Your statement should be relevant to both of these things. Below is a simple workflow example that will help you grasp the concept.Let’s say the primary question of your assignment is, “Are the Effects of Global Warming Real?”. During your research, you collected enough data and evidence that confirms the real hazards of this environmental issue. Based on this, your statement might look like this:
The effects of global warming are real, and multiple researchers and scientists believe that it might cause serious problems for our planet because
- Point 1 + supporting evidence
- Point 2 + supporting evidence
- Point 3 + supporting evidence
…
Bonus Tip: Collect Counter Arguments
Once you have a well-defined statement, you might feel like you are ready to start writing your paper and develop it along the way. On the one hand, you could. Here’s a bonus tip from term paper writing services - regardless of the assignment type, the more depth you add to your work, the better. And the best way to add depth is to base your paper not only on supporting claims but on counter-arguments as well.
Therefore, before you start writing, do some additional research. Look for opinions that don’t match your own (and common) beliefs on the given subject matter. Collect the most relevant and compelling counter-opinions and use them in your paper. This trick will help you demonstrate that your stance is well-considered and that you have looked at the problem from all sides before making your claim. It should help you score a higher grade with ease.
The Bottom Line
Whether it’s just a regular essay or a big and important task like a term paper, formulating a clear and powerful argument is one of the keys to success. And it’s also one of the most challenging parts of academic writing.Luckily, after reading this article, you have a step-by-step guide with expert tips from term paper writing services that will help you get on the right track. Use this guide to craft a compelling argument and get a deserved high grade!- advertisement spot 2022