Writing the Argument

1. By briefly stating your opponent’s claim with the intention of defining the area that
your argument will attempt to assail
2. Begin your argument by stating your thesis proposition, your intention being to
support it with the argument
Three Statements of an argument
1. The statement of the rule that applies to a given fact or set of facts (the rule
statement)
2. The statement of the fact of a particular case that opens up such case or closes it
to the application of the rule (the case fact statement)
3. The conclusion that the rule applies or does not apply to the particular case
Full acceptance of the reader
1. The rule you propose is correct
2. The key fact to which the rule applies is similar to (or different from) the case fact

Persuasive Arguments
The effectiveness of your argument depends on how ably you write up each statement of
your argument into a convincing part…knowing the essentials enables you to dismantle
your argument, reinforce or improve the weak parts, emphasize the strong, and put them
together again to produce a persuasive (convincing) argument.
Convincing Rule Statement
Full acceptance comes from being convinced, first, that the rule you propose is correct
and, second, that the key fact to which the rule applies is similar to (or different from) the
case fact (the fact of the particular case).
Convincing Fact Statement
At times, the party to the dispute could agree that a specific rule governs a case but they
are unable to agree whether the key fact to which it applies is similar to or different from
the fact of the case…it is the statement of the case fact that needs building up.
Correct Conclusion Statement
It enables you to destroy your opponent’s thesis or proposition by attacking the essential
statement of his argument, his rule, his fact, or his conclusion that seems the weakest
Positioning Variation
Arguments are started off with a statement of the applicable rule followed by the statement
of case fact and ended by conclusion (conventional sequence)
Omitted Statement
At times, you could omit from your argument one of its essential statements – your rule,
your case fact, or even your conclusion – if that element is so evident that it goes without
saying.
Closing Statement
Depart on a good note after packing your pleading with every sort of argument in support
of your stand. It should not appear to argue even if it may appeal to the good sense of
the judge exercised in your favor.

Tightening Your Work

Needless Words
Develop the practice of throwing out excess words, phrases, and sentences and
tightening your work to make it compact and terse.
A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary
sentence. Make sentences short, or avoid all detail and treat subjects only in outline, but
that very word tells.

Active versus Passive Voice

Use the active voice in place of the passive voice
Passive voice – indirect, limp, and weak (e.g. Abel was killed by Cain)
Active voice – direct, vigorous, and strong (e.g. Cain killed Abel)

Third Person Speaks

He who writes in the third person focuses attention to his work or message rather than to
himself. Statement is more forceful and convincing without personal pronouns. It carries
more conviction.

Writing Clearly
Right Connectives
When you put together several sentences or ideas to deliver one message, you need
coupling mechanisms to ties these ideas together. These are called connective or
transitory devices.
Serves as tool in developing logical reasoning
e.g.
The deceased was rich. She left 50,000.00 to her maid in her will
(insert indeed)
The deceased was rich. Indeed, she left 50,000.00 to her maid in her will.
CONNECTIVES FUNCTION EXAMPLES
And Connects two ideas of the Defendant refused to
same kind acknowledge his debt and
he would not pay it.
Besides, what is more, Adds another thought to the Plaintiff called defendant by
furthermore, in addition and first (can be used phone. Besides, he wrote
again interchangeably) him a letter.
First, next, then and finally,Arranges ideas in order First he introduced himself
meanwhile (describing to her; next, he dated her,
simultaneous then…
occurrences); later since,
then
Nearby, above, below, Arranges ideas in space The victim was sleeping in
beyond, to the right, to the her room. Nearby the
left accused is stealing his
things.
But, still, however, on the Connects two contrasting Juliet said that she cried for
other hand, yet, ideas help. But Mario testified
nevertheless, and rather that he did not hear her
cries.
In fact, as a matter of fact, Connects the first idea with Alibi is a weak defense. In
indeed a second one that points it fact in crumbles in the face
up; the second idea affirms of a positive identification.
or supports the validity of
the first idea
 For example, for instance Adds an illustration to an The freedom of the speech
idea is not absolute. For
example, you cannot walk
into a crowded theater and
shout “Fire! Fire!”
In other words Adds an explanation to an Mark longs to see her
idea or ideas always, listen to her voice,
and touch her. In other
words, he loves her.
Therefore, so, hence, Connects an idea with The accused acted in self-
consequently, and another that follows from it defense. Therefore, he is
accordingly not guilty.
Of course, to be sure Grants an exception or All men are created equal.
limitation to an idea Of course some men are
more intelligent than others
In short, to sum up, and in Summarize several ideas He lost his job, he sold all
brief he had to pay his debts,
and he still owed more. In
short, he was bankrupt.

Word Bridges
Putting into the second sentence a word that points to a word you used in the first
e.g.
If the purpose of reorganization is to be achieved, changes in the rankings of the
employees should be expected. For one to insist on having his old rank would render the
exercise useless.

Abstract versus Concrete Writing

Abstraction is any word that applies to a large class of things rather than to any single,
concrete object or idea.
Concrete words are words that stand for real things, things that appeal in one way or
another to the senses.
Structure for example is more general than house, house is more general than shed, and
shed is more general than a dilapidated little shack with makeshift walls and cardboard
roof.
Stick to concrete words as much as possible.

Headings
General – provide some kind of signposts that point out to the reader the grounds he is
about to cover in his reading (e.g. Statement of the cases, facts, subject matters of the
case, issues presented)
Specific – attempt to capture in a few words the essence of a particular argument or
discussion