Nursing Essay Writing – Academic Arguments

Definition of Academic Arguments:

An academic argument is your stance, claim, or perspective on a topic. It contributes to the ongoing discussion and provides readers with your position on the subject, supported by evidence from credible sources.

Table of Contents

Academic Arguments Overview:

While reflection and summary have their place in academic writing, the focus should be on analysis and critique. Being able to recognize a strong argument in the literature you read will improve your ability to construct your own arguments effectively. The following sections will guide you in understanding and developing robust arguments, comparing and contrasting ideas, avoiding logical fallacies, and addressing assumptions.

1. Understanding Arguments
Analysis:
Analysis involves breaking down a piece of work, examining its individual elements, and understanding their relationships to interpret the overall meaning of the text. You can analyze the content, language, and structure of the argument to gain insights.

Inference:
Inference is the act of drawing conclusions or making judgments based on the information provided. It involves reading between the lines and understanding the context to arrive at reasonable interpretations.

Assumptions:
Assumptions are statements or facts taken for granted in an argument. Identifying assumptions is crucial to understanding the argument’s strengths, weaknesses, and possible points of critique.

Interpretation:
Interpretation entails making sense of the text and ascribing meaning to it. It involves understanding what is significant, recognizing problems without bias, and distinguishing between main ideas and subideas.

Implications:
Implications are the consequences that follow if the author’s views are accurate. Considering implications helps in critiquing arguments effectively.

2. Developing Arguments
Structure of an Argument:
An argument consists of two main parts: the conclusion and the evidence. The conclusion is the main claim, while the evidence supports that claim. Arguments can range from simple to complex, with multiple reasons supporting an assertion.

Difference Between an Argument and an Explanation:
An argument presents assertions supporting a central claim, whereas an explanation describes circumstances or interprets given information. Explanations cannot be used to support a claim; they provide insights into the context and reasons behind certain phenomena.

By understanding academic arguments and developing strong ones, you can engage in critical reading, effectively critique existing literature, and contribute meaningfully to scholarly discussions.

Types of Arguments

Inductive and Deductive Arguments

There are two main types of arguments: inductive and deductive. A deductive argument guarantees that the conclusion is true based on its premises. This happens when the truth of the premise logically necessitates the truth of the conclusion, often seen in mathematical or definitional contexts. On the other hand, an inductive argument provides sufficient reasons for readers to believe that the conclusion is likely to be true. The key difference lies in the level of certainty associated with each type. Deductive arguments offer certainty in the correctness of their conclusion, while inductive arguments suggest a probable correctness. Social science literature usually encounters inductive arguments as researchers seek explanations for various phenomena, use statistical data for inferences, or establish causal relationships between variables. Nursing Essay Writing – Academic Arguments.

Validity and Soundness

Deductive arguments are considered valid or invalid. An argument is valid when its form is correct, regardless of the truthfulness of its premises. For instance:

All fish can run.
Anything that can run can fly.
Therefore, all fish can fly.

Despite the false premises in this argument, it remains logically valid. This means that a valid argument can have false premises and a false conclusion. Similarly, a deductive argument with false premises and a true conclusion can also be valid, such as:

All fish have smooth skin.
Anything with smooth skin can swim.
Therefore, all fish can swim.

In an invalid argument, the conclusion does not necessarily follow from the premises. It may look like this:

All American presidents live in Washington, DC.
John lives in Washington, DC.
Therefore, John is an American president.

In this case, the premises might be true, but the conclusion is false. Invalid arguments are considered unsound. When true premises combine with a valid argument, it becomes a sound argument.

Inductive arguments are described as strong or weak, depending on the strength of the premises/information supporting the conclusion. Therefore, by definition, valid arguments cannot be strong, and vice versa. However, any argument can be categorized as valid or invalid. If an argument is valid, the question becomes whether it is sound or unsound. Understanding the structure of a writer’s argument makes it easier to critique. See our section on logical fallacies.

Evaluating Arguments

Critical reading involves evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of arguments. Graduate students are expected to assess what they read critically, so merely sensing flaws in an argument is not enough; they must identify precisely why an argument may be weak. The stronger the claim, the more robust the evidence must be to support it. For example, stating that poverty contributes to war is different from claiming that poverty causes war. The latter requires stronger evidence to support it. Both writers and readers must learn to strengthen and weaken arguments. Writers who master these skills can create authoritative and convincing material, while readers who master these skills can critique such material. Identifying assumptions effectively is crucial for evaluating arguments. Nursing Essay Writing – Academic Arguments.

3. Comparing & Contrasting
Overview

A compare and contrast paper discusses the similarities and differences between two or more topics. The paper consists of an introduction with a thesis statement, a body where the comparisons and contrasts are discussed, and a conclusion. Nursing Essay Writing – Academic Arguments.

Address Both Similarities & Differences

Since this is a compare and contrast paper, it is essential to discuss both the similarities and differences. Analyzing the topics will be necessary, as some subjects might seem very similar, requiring effort to identify contrasting elements.

Ensure the Presence of a Clear Thesis Statement

Similar to any other essay, a compare and contrast essay requires a thesis statement. The thesis statement should not only inform the reader about your intentions but also address the purpose and significance of comparing and contrasting the material.

Utilize Clear Transitions

Transitions play a crucial role in compare and contrast essays, especially when moving between different topics or perspectives.

– Examples of transitions and phrases for comparisons: as well, similar to, consistent with, likewise, too.
– Examples of transitions and phrases for contrasts: on the other hand, however, although, differs, conversely, rather than. For more information, refer to our transitions page. Nursing Essay Writing – Academic Arguments.

Structure Your Paper

Consider how you will organize the information. You can choose to present all the similarities first and then discuss the differences. Alternatively, you can adopt a point-by-point approach where you highlight the similarity and difference for each point one by one.

Include Analysis

While it may be tempting to merely provide a summary in this type of paper, it is important to include analysis to demonstrate the significance of the comparisons and contrasts. For example, if you are comparing two articles on the topic of nursing shortage, explain how this analysis contributes to understanding and potential action steps in the field.

Make Analogous Comparisons

When making comparisons or contrasts, ensure that you are dealing with similar aspects of each item. Avoid comparing unrelated elements, as it can lead to confusion.

– Example of poor comparison: Kubista studied the effects of a later start time on high school students, but Cook used a mixed methods approach. (This example does not compare similar items and does not discuss the same element of the articles.)
– Example of analogous comparison: Cook used a mixed methods approach, whereas Kubista used only quantitative methods. (Here, the methods are clearly compared, allowing the reader to understand the distinction.)

Avoiding Logical Fallacies
Overview

Logical fallacies are errors in reasoning that cause arguments to break down. While some forms of persuasive writing intentionally use logical fallacies (e.g., in political speeches), they undermine the credibility of objective scholarly writing. Understanding argument structure and fallacies is valuable for academic reading and writing. It helps in critiquing the validity of claims, research results, and theories, as well as avoiding errors in one’s own work.

Argument Structure

All arguments consist of three interdependent elements:

1. Claim (conclusion): What you are trying to prove, usually presented as your essay’s thesis statement.
2. Support (minor premise): The evidence (facts, expert testimony, quotes, statistics) presented to back up your claims.
3. Warrant (major premise): Any underlying assumption taken for granted that supports your claim.

Consider the claim, support, and warrant for the following examples:

Example 1:
– Claim: The No Child Left Behind Act (2001) has led to an increase in high school student drop-out rates.
– Support: Drop-out rates in the US have climbed by 20% since 2001.
– Warrant: It presupposes that it’s undesirable for students to drop out.

Example 2:
– Claim: ADHD has grown by epidemic proportions in the last 10 years.
– Support: In 1999, the number of children diagnosed with ADHD was 2.1 million; in 2009, the number was 3.5 million.
– Warrant: It presupposes that a diagnosis of ADHD indicates the actual existence of ADHD and assumes ADHD is a disease.

Claims can be categorized into three types: claims of fact, claims of value, and claims of policy. While all three types can be found in scholarly writing, claims of fact are typically the most common in research writing. Claims of fact assert the existence or non-existence of a particular condition or phenomenon. For example, stating that Japanese business owners are more inclined to use sustainable business practices than they were 20 years ago is a claim of fact.

On the other hand, claims of value involve making moral judgments about a phenomenon or condition. For instance, asserting that unsustainable business practices are unethical is a claim of value. These claims introduce subjective evaluations and express preferences or opinions.

Lastly, claims of policy are recommendations for actions that should be taken. These claims propose specific courses of action. For example, suggesting that Japanese carmakers should sign an agreement to reduce carbon emissions in manufacturing facilities by 50% by the year 2025 is a claim of policy.

In academic writing, claims of fact are commonly used. However, it is important to be aware of logical fallacies that can undermine the credibility of an argument. Here are some common fallacies to watch out for:

1. Begging the question or circular reasoning: Using a part of a claim to support the same claim without providing additional evidence.
Example: Special education students should not take standardized tests because such tests are meant for non-special education students.

2. Hasty generalization: Drawing a conclusion based on limited or inadequate data, without considering other variables or a sufficient sample size.
Example: Two out of three patients who were given green tea before bedtime reported sleeping more soundly. Therefore, green tea may be used to treat insomnia.

3. Sweeping generalizations: Assuming that a conclusion drawn from a particular situation applies universally to all situations.
Example: Research conducted at a private performing arts high school in a rural community cannot be generalized to all high schools, including public high schools in an inner-city setting.

4. Non sequitur: Drawing a conclusion that does not logically follow from the premises.
Example: Professor Berger has published numerous articles in immunology. Therefore, she is an expert in complementary medicine.

5. Post hoc ergo propter hoc: Assuming a cause-and-effect relationship based solely on the chronological order of events.
Example: Drop-out rates increased the year after the No Child Left Behind Act was passed. Therefore, the Act is causing kids to drop out.

6. False dilemma: Presenting a situation as if there are only two options, when in reality, there may be more possibilities or complexities.
Example: Japanese carmakers must implement green production practices, or Japan’s carbon footprint will hit crisis proportions by 2025.

When making assumptions in your writing, consider the reader’s knowledge base and be mindful of potential differences in interpretations. It is essential to define terms clearly, especially if they can be understood differently by different readers. Avoid assuming that the reader already shares your perspective or believes in the importance of an issue. Additionally, stay updated on current debates and practices to ensure the relevance of your arguments.