How to develop an argument

It is essential you understand the question in order to take an evidence-based position.

This step will require you to:

• Research the topic
• Understand what you are being asked to do in relation to the topic
• Discuss any questions you have with your tutor and your peers

When you have conducted enough research on your topic, you should have some idea of the argument you wish to make. This step will require you to:

• Articulate a clear statement about what you will argue
• Think about what your opinion is based on

When you have decided on your argument, you then need to work out what evidence you will need to present in order to clearly communicate your argument.  Each stage of your argument should be reflected in the structure of your paper – one stage per paragraph. This step will require you to:

• Articulate the stages in your argument
• Conduct research to provide evidence for each stage
• Synthesise your sources

Once you are clear about the argument you will make, and the order in which you will argue this, it is important to structure your paragraphs to ensure a logical flow of ideas. A strong argument will present a range of points of view, so your paragraphs must be structured logically to make clear which perspectives are being discussed in each section of your assignment. This step will require you to:

• Articulate a topic sentence for each paragraph
• Write supplementary sentences that incorporate a range of points of view
• Write a concluding sentence for each paragraph, summarising the claim

• What is diabetes and why is it significant?
• Who does it affect and how does it affect them?
• How do children get it?
• Can it be prevented? If so, how?

• From my reading, it seems that there are two key factors which lead to childhood diabetes – one is genetics and the other is lifestyle choice.

• The first stage in my argument will be to explore how genetics is the major factor for childhood diabetes, particularly with regards to Type 1 diabetes.
• The second stage in my argument will be to explore how lifestyle is the leading cause of Type 2 diabetes in children, particularly in terms of childhood obesity.

• Create an outline for your assignment which summarises what you intend to discuss in each paragraph.

Topic Sentence:  Genetics is a key factor in the development of diabetes in children.

Supplementary sentences:

1. Discuss the role of genetics in Type 1 diabetes, along with other possible factors relating to Type 1 diabetes
2. Discuss the role of genetics in Type 2 diabetes

TOPIC SENTENCE: Genetics is a key factor in the development of diabetes in children. SUPPLEMENTARY SENTENCE 1: Type 1 diabetes is a disease where the child’s body no longer produces insulin. While the exact cause of Type 1 diabetes is unknown, research suggests there is a significant genetic component (Schmidt & Johanssen, 2018). Children with a parent or sibling with Type 1 diabetes have an increased risk of developing the condition. Type 1 diabetes can also develop as a result of environmental factors and as a result of illness which compromises the immune system (Umbrage et al., 2016). SUPPLEMENTARY SENTENCE 2: Genetics is also a significant factor in Type 2 diabetes, where a genetic vulnerability to developing obesity can make a child vulnerable to the development of Type 2 diabetes. Indeed, children whose parents or siblings have Type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop the condition (Anderson et al., 2020). However, unlike Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes can be prevented and even cured through lifestyle factors.

Topic Sentence:  Lifestyle is a key factor in the development of diabetes in children.

Supplementary sentences:

1. Discuss the role of exercise, diet and education in Type 2 – focus on obesity
2. Discuss the complexity of obesity in children as an issue

TOPIC SENTENCE: Lifestyle is a key factor in the development of diabetes in children. SUPPLEMENTARY SENTENCE 1: While Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, Type 2 diabetes is thought to be caused by lifestyle factors such as poor diet and lack of physical exercise. The exact cause of Type 2 diabetes is unknown, but research suggests children who are obese are significantly more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than children who fall into the normal weight range (Lee et al., 2019). Scholars agree that lack of regular physical activity and a diet high in sugar and simple carbohydrates increases the chance that children will develop Type 2 diabetes (Wang and Johnson, 2018). SUPPLEMENTARY SENTENCE 2: Although the link between obesity and Type 2 diabetes in children is well-understood, the factors which contribute to childhood obesity are more complex. For example, children who grow up in lower socio-economic areas, and whose parents experience difficulties accessing regular employment and healthcare opportunities, are generally more vulnerable to experiencing lifestyle factors which contribute to childhood obesity (Valazquez et al., 2017).