Writing Help: Style, Argument, and Organization

Constructing Arguments and Being Persuasive

image: Public Domain

Argument
"This handout will define what an argument is and explain why you need one in most of your academic essays." From UNC-Chapel Hill.
Counter-Arguments
Be sure to address possible counter-arguments.
Logic in Argumentative Writing
Use logic and avoid fallacies. From OWL Purdue.
Being Cautious and Critical
How to "hedge," or soften your claims to avoid seeming "radical or overconfident." Note that in some writing contexts, hedging is not preferred.

Basic Essay Structure
This advice in this guide may not reflect your instructor's advice. Always check with them first.

Structure Your Paper According to Purpose
This resource provides several examples of common ways to organize a paper.
Paragraphing
An excellent tutorial from RMIT University's Learning Lab, detailing the TEEL method.
Linking Words
Create smoother transitions between sentences and paragraphs.
Outlining
A clear explanation of two types of outlining: linear and graphic.
Reverse Outlining
A process for checking the structure of your paper after writing a draft.
Writing Conclusions

Guide to Developing a Thesis Statement
A guide from the University of Wisconsin.
Developing a Thesis
A guide from the Harvard University Writing Center, with steps and examples.
Thesis Statement Generator
This online tool from Ashford University can help you to get "unstuck."

The Manchester Phrasebank: Common Phrases Used in Academic Writing
The website consists of a bank of common “skeletal” phrases used in academic writing.
They Say/ I Say: The Moves that Matter in Academic Writing
"'They Say / I Say' identifies the key rhetorical moves in academic writing, showing students how to frame their arguments in the larger context of what others have said and providing templates to help them make those moves"