Analyzing Argument Introduction: Notes

Introduction to Analyzing Arguments

Review of Key Skills

  • Identifying the central issue.

  • Determining the writer's contention and their supporting arguments.

  • Recognizing the writer's tone.

  • Analyzing the writer's argument, including language techniques and underlying ideas.

Writing an Effective Introduction

  • The focus is now on utilizing these skills to construct a strong introduction for an argument analysis.

Introduction Elements (BDCAT)

  • An effective introduction should include the following elements, remembered by the acronym BDCAT:

      • The context or issue at the heart of the argument.

    • D - Details:

      • Specifics about the article, such as its title, author, and publication date.

    • C - Contention:

      • The writer's main argument or stance on the issue.

    • A - Audience:

      • Who the writer is trying to reach or influence.

    • T - Tone:

      • The writer's attitude or style of writing.

Example Introduction

  • Example:

    • B - Background (Issue): "Back in 2014, Thomas the Tank Engine was accused of having an evil secret message and that it was harming children’s minds."

    • D - Details: "Shauna Anderson’s opinion article Thomas the Tank Engine’s Evil Secret Message (30/07/2014)"

    • C - Contention: "contends that parents need to stop over analysing children’s television shows for hidden messages."

    • T - Tone: "In an alarming and sarcastic tone,"

    • A - Audience: "the writer addresses parents in arguing that these programs are fictional, children are smart and can understand right from wrong."

Practical Application

  • Analyzing "Let Teens Connect: Why Social Media is a Lifeline, Not a Danger"

    • Locate the article.

    • Identify the BDCAT elements within this article.

Introduction Writing Scaffold

  • A template to guide introduction writing:

    • "Recently ***, the issue of………………….. ( state the question… whether or not……. ) has arisen as a result of ……………………………………………………………… (give a reason why the issue came about)."

    • "In a/an (type of article) ……………………………….. titled, “………………..”, (date and publication) the writer (name of author) argues that ……………………………………………………………..(main contention)"

    • "Adopting a…………….. (adjectives for tone) and ………………………… tone, the writer takes a very …………..and ……… (forthright, balanced, authoritative, very personal, informative, humorous **) approach to the issue, and conveys the arguments that……………………………………………………………… . (summarise main arguments to be explained later in the body paragraphs) in an attempt to persuade the reader."

    • "*** - start each sentence with the correct word ** - depends on the writer’s approach"