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Chapter 5
Argument Synthesis
In this chapter, students are introduced to the elements of persuasion. This chapter provides guidance for
developing and organizing support. Additionally, an annotated model paper highlights and discusses the use of
argumentative strategies.
The major difference between the explanatory synthesis and the argument synthesis is purpose: the explanatory
synthesis seeks to inform while the argument synthesis seeks to persuade. Each type requires a clear thesis
statement, and although all theses may be seen as argumentative to some extent, the thesis for the argument
synthesis is persuasive in purpose, while the thesis for the explanatory synthesis is, according to Behrens and
Rosen, “fairly modest in purpose. It emphasizes the sources themselves, not the writer’s use of sources to
persuade others.”
The chapter begins with a formal definition of the thesis as a logical statement, showing how it contains a claim
(the thesis statement) and convincing support for that claim. The claim and its support are linked by the writer’s
assumption about the claim; it is the writer’s assumption—the writer’s underlying belief— (often unstated) that
gives the thesis statement its edge. Following a discussion of the logical elements of argument, students are
presented with an overview of the three classical appeals: logos,ethos, and pathos. Each category is then
explored with examples. A discussion and examples of deductive and inductive reasoning are given in the
explanation of logos.
Students may be confused by the fact that although you are teaching them the three appeals of argument, you
want them to rely primarily on logos in their academic papers. Explain that even though it may not be
appropriate for them to use ethos and pathos, it is important to be able to recognize these appeals in others’
These readings provide students with an opportunity to practice looking for and identifying logical fallacies and
argumentative appeals before writing their argument synthesis. Once again, the thesis statement plays a crucial
role since a well-formulated and well-worded thesis statement will present a rough outline of how to organize
the argument synthesis. Also, students must consider the claim, support, and assumption (underlying belief) that
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counterarguments can be raised against their position, admit that some of these counterarguments may be valid,
and then offer an alternative or a solution to the counterarguments. This chapter’s model paper includes an
outline. By studying the paragraph-by-paragraph analysis of its argument and the various appeals the writer has
used, students can gain insight into the strategies used by the writer.
While more experienced writers will intuitively know how to develop and balance rational appeals (i.e., source
STUDENT WEB RESOURCES
PURDUE OWL: LOGIC IN
A
RGUMENTATIVE W
RITING
The following resource discusses logic within writing, especially vocabulary and logos-based reasoning. It
also covers logical fallacies.
THE FALLACY F
ILES
The Fallacy Files is a comprehensive site that provides explanations of fallacies with examples from books,
newspapers, magazines, newsletters, and fundraising letters.