Research Posting Common Problems pg 25

1.       The argument has not been clearly or fully articulated leading to problems and confusion later.  Consider breaking down your argument into points. Maybe one of them should be your thesis? Take the time to narrow down exactly what you’re trying to convey or convince an audience.
2.       The thesis is not sufficiently forceful.  Writing your thesis in drafts which can evolve as you conduct research; think of it as a living document. It can start out general then narrow it down to cover only what is to be argued in the paper.  
3.       The evidence to support your claim is faulty or missing. To help find weaknesses in your argument you could read it from the opposite viewpoint; consider what evidence would you challenge.  ₁   You could create a chart or outline with your main points and evidence to analyze if it is too broad and needs more or better proof.
4.       The appeal(s) to emotion, logic, and/or authority…out to be used to greater advantage.   Consider which appeals or combination is most likely to sway the audience that you are writing to. Is the paper about something personal such as their well being or their family or community? Does it touch on ethics, the right or wrong, injustice that the audience can relate to? Does the argument need more facts or put into a more logical sequence so that the audience can follow easier?
5.       Opportunities to represent and refute challenging views have been overlooked, ignored, or slighted.  Read your paper from another’s view, have someone else read your paper and look for weaknesses.  Consider conducting more research. This is a hard point for me because I would like to say “after conducting much research, my thesis was incorrect and this is why”. 

1.       http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/fallacies.html on the Internet (visited September 10, 2011)