Chapter 1
Fundamentals of Critical Thinking and Essay Preparation
Course: Gre
Subject: Gre Analytical Writing
Chapter: The Writing Process Brainstorming Outlining And Argument Construction
Introduction: The Written Duel
Imagine being challenged to a duel—not one fought with swords or pistols, but with words. The battlefield is paper. The audience consists of readers who will judge which position prevails. Only one shot exists to convince them that your perspective deserves their support.
This scenario describes the essence of argumentative writing. Whether in academic settings, professional contexts, or personal communication, writers frequently need to construct arguments that persuade others to accept a particular viewpoint. The quality of these arguments determines whether readers become convinced or remain skeptical.
This lesson presents a systematic six-step process for building arguments that are focused, reasonable, well-supported, and persuasive.
Understanding Argumentative Writing
An argument in writing does not refer to a heated disagreement or emotional confrontation. Instead, it describes a reasoned case built on evidence and logic, designed to convince readers to accept a particular position.