Developing an argument

Developing an argument means presenting a clear position and supporting it with logical points, evidence, and structure so your audience is convinced. In professional contexts, a well-developed argument helps you persuade colleagues, win approval for projects, and present recommendations clearly.

• State a clear claim or thesis.
• Support the claim with reasons and concrete evidence.
• Address counterarguments and provide a rebuttal.
• Conclude by summarizing the main points and the recommendation.

Be clear, concise, and structured: present a claim, support it, acknowledge objections, and finish with a strong conclusion.

• Start with one clear central claim.
• Use 2–3 supporting reasons with evidence (data, example, authority).
• Acknowledge a main counterargument and respond to it.
• End with a direct recommendation or call to action.

Think: Claim → Support → Counter → Conclude

Avoid these frequent errors that weaken arguments in any language:

• Making an unclear or vague claim that the audience cannot identify.
• Relying on opinions without evidence or concrete examples.
• Failing to acknowledge obvious counterarguments.
• Using poor organization: jumping between points without clear transitions.
• Overgeneralizing or presenting weak, unsupported claims.

Aim for clarity, evidence, and logical sequence to strengthen your argument.