1. Identify the Problem:
* Unclear Thesis: Is your main point confusing or too broad?
* Weak Evidence: Does your support lack credibility, relevance, or be sufficient?
* Logical Fallacies: Are you using faulty reasoning or making assumptions?
* Counterarguments: Have you acknowledged and addressed opposing viewpoints?
* Bias: Does your writing lean too heavily on one side without acknowledging other perspectives?
2. Strategies for Fixing:
* Strengthen your thesis: Make it specific, debatable, and focused.
* Gather strong evidence: Use credible sources, statistics, examples, and expert opinions.
* Address logical fallacies: Use logical reasoning, avoid emotional appeals, and avoid generalizations.
* Confront counterarguments: Respectfully acknowledge opposing viewpoints and explain why your argument is stronger.
* Maintain objectivity: Acknowledge the limitations of your own argument and present evidence fairly.
3. Tools for Improvement:
* Outlining: Reorganize your argument to ensure a clear and logical flow.
* Peer review: Have a trusted reader evaluate your work for clarity, logic, and persuasiveness.
* Critical thinking: Examine your own assumptions and biases to ensure your argument is fair and balanced.
* Research: Gather more evidence and explore different perspectives.
4. Examples of Common Argumentative Problems:
* Ad hominem: Attacking the person making the argument, not the argument itself.
* Bandwagon appeal: Claiming something is true because many people believe it.
* False dilemma: Presenting only two options when there are others.
* Straw man: Misrepresenting your opponent's argument to make it easier to attack.
Remember: Writing a strong argument is an iterative process. Don't be afraid to revise and refine your work until you're satisfied.