Building an argument as you go
Thinking, reading, thinking, writing - repeat…   You can develop the steps of your argument in your writing as you go, identifying the points you want to make and the evidence you will use
Stage 1: Get started
•	Analyse the essay title or assignment brief;
•	Get an overview from text books, lecture notes and any other introductory reading you have;
•	What are your first thoughts: Yes? No? Maybe?
Stage 2: Create a working hypothesis
Write an initial response offering a few conclusions as a basic answer to the essay title or assignment brief.   Stick to two or three sentences.  You will change and develop this answer as you read and investigate the topic.
Stage 3: Test your hypothesis with questions
You can go through this three step process to interrogate your hypothesis.
•	Step one: Pretend you disagree – why would you disagree? 
•	Step two: Pretend you agree totally – and add something else in support.
•	Step three: Agree to some extent, but point out weaknesses.
You can ask yourself some of these questions.
•	What evidence can I find in support of / against this?
•	What theoretical perspectives does it fit / not fit with?
•	What do the main authors or thinkers have to say?
Make comparisons – look for differences and similarities.  Make your questions more and more specific as you read more.
Stage four: Modify and develop your answer as you read
•	How far – if at all – does each text confirm your answer? Which parts? In what way? Can you use it in your essay? How? Where? 
•	How far – if at all – does it contradict your answer?  Do you need to modify your answer? Why? In what way? 
•	Will you keep your response and conclusions the same? Does it suggest new questions/ issues you need to address? 
•	How will you build these into your argument?
www.ed.ac.uk/iad