Quote:
Originally Posted by Moejoe
One of my old lecturers said that all you have to do to write an essay is remember three words: CQC. He said, at a fundamental level, all essays are built upon the CQC foundation.
1. Make a CLAIM
2. Back-up claim with a QUOTE
3. Now COMMENT on the above QUOTE
4. Repeat until conclusion.
Don't know if that helps, but when I was involved in academia the CQC principal got me through a lot of otherwise boring essays.  |
You know, that is not unlike learning mathematical proof writing. A good basic book on proof's does exist, as an undergrad before my first math degree I once owned several copies as I kept lending mine out to "friends". And we ALL know how friends are with books. It was not a long text at all, around 100-150 pages max. Still it changed my approach to not just mathematical proofs but in how I wrote any reports or papers in all subjects as well.
It was a thin book, which any math major will tell you is the scariest thing on the plant because you will realize they really left all the detail out and we needed to teach it all to ourselves (not a bad thing just freaking SCARY as an undergrad in math). Still this book was not designed that way, it boiled it all down to using the correct style for the correct problem then adding in the support for the premise and supporting conclusions. The thing was amazing.
But your comment pretty much give the perfect way to argue a position. Variations exist but all can be derived from your outline...nice!
I would add that is the OP has the time, find a resource which covers developing logical arguments around a premise or position. As well as basic logic, often as long at the techniques you attempt to us are sound and astute reviewer can see what you are trying to convey, even if you fail to do so in a convincing fashion. It would show you have the knowledge of how to form cogent arguments even if you are not in complete possession of sufficient facts on understanding of the topic.
I wish the OP good luck!!