Home Guides Parts of an Argument Clarify or Define a Problem

Introduction

Clearly Stated Position

Introduction

Provide Context for the Argument

Establish Credible Authority

Compel the Audience to Listen

Establish Common Ground

Clarify a Problem

Societal Perspective

New Perspective

New Solution

Argument

Conclusion

Citations

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Clarify or Define a Problem

This is a strategy often found in the social sciences (psychology, sociology, etc.), business and the professional world, though it is not constrained to those disciplines. As part of the context of an issue, a specific problem provides a patch of common ground on which everyone in the audience can stand while you argue the case for a specific solution. Here are some examples of strategies for contextually presenting different types of problems in your introduction:

• Argue from a Societal Perspective
• Argue for a New Perspective
• Argue for a New Solution