LibGuides: Success at Master's Level: Clearer arguments

Developing and demonstrating your thinking

At master’s level it is essential that you structure your thinking from your wide reading into an argument, rather than just listing unrelated evidence.

An argument is a reasoned stance showing to your reader how you've arrived at your conclusion.

Structuring arguments

You need to plan and structure your argument clearly, constructing a clear linear argument from the multiple messy chains of thought. Here's a simple structure for a short piece of writing:

In your introduction, include a clear statement setting out your claim, the view you are proposing that the reader should accept as true or appropriate, and why the issue is important. You might explain your scope, context or key definitions.
Back up your claim with evidence or research, highlighting which pieces of evidence are more relevant, or more trustworthy. Discuss to what extent the evidence supports the claim. The more complex the claim, the more sources you may need.
Argue your points, making clear the connection between the claim and the evidence you have provided. Give clear reasoning why this evidence should be considered valid.
To be show criticality in your writing, also explore the arguments and evidence that could be used to dismantle your claim. Rebuff these counter arguments. Then finally, restate your position.
End with a bolstering section (more reasons why upholding the claim is beneficial) to give a stronger finish to your argument. Perhaps helicopter up to think of broader benefits such as social, economic, or environmental benefits, giving broader reasons why the claim should stand and what this ultimately contributes.
In your conclusion, summarise what you found or what the gaps were. Are there any new concepts, conditions or risks that need to be considered? Widen back out to a broader context, and consider what the implications are, and any recommendations or action planning needed.

It's also helpful to use a framework for structuring each paragraph, and integrating critical thinking into your writing, for example:

Point	Make a key point outlining the focus of the paragraph, and the nature of the evidence within it.
Evidence	Support your point with critique and synthesis of evidence from your critical reading or research data
Discussion	Evaluate the significance of your evidence in relation to your point, your whole argument, or for a wider context.

Find out more about how to plan and structure your paragraphs and your argument in our Planning and Structuring Assignments study guide.