A-manual-for-writers-of-research-papers-theses-and-dissertations

To accept that claim, readers must accept the following:The warrant is true.The specific reason is true.The specific reason is a valid instance of the general condition side of the warrant.The specific claim is a valid instance of the general consequence side of the warrant.No limiting conditions keep the warrant from applying.If the writer thought that readers might deny the truth of that warrant or reason, she wouldhave to make an argument supporting it. If she thought they might think the reason or claimwasn't a valid instance of the warrant, she'd have to make yet another argument that it was.As you gain experience, you'll learn to check arguments in your head, but until then youmight try to sketch out warrants for your most debatable reasons. After you test a warrant, addit to your storyboard where you think readers will need it. If you need to support a warrantwith an argument, outline it there.WHY WARRANTS ARE ESPECIALLY DIFFICULT FOR RESEARCHERS NEW TO A FIELD. Ifyou're new in a field, you may find warrants difficult for these reasons:Advanced researchers rarely spell out their principles of reasoning because they knowtheir colleagues take them for granted. New researchers must figure them out on their own.(It's like hearing someone say, “Wear a long-sleeved shirt because it's above 80° tonight.”)Warrants typically have exceptions that experts also take for granted and therefore rarelystate, forcing new researchers to figure them out, as well.Experts also know when not to state an obvious warrant or its limitations, one more thingnew researchers must learn on their own. For example, if an expert wrote It's early June,so we can expect that we'll soon pay more for gasoline, he wouldn't state the obviouswarrant: When summer approaches, gas prices rise.If you offer a well-known but rarely stated warrant, you'll seem condescending or naïve. Butif you fail to state one that readers need, you'll seem illogical. The trick is learning whenreaders need one and when they don't. That takes time.So don't be dismayed if warrants seem confusing; they're difficult even for experiencedwriters. But knowing about them should encourage you to ask this crucial question: inaddition to the truth of your reasons and evidence, will your readers see their relevance toyour claim? If they might not, you must make an argument demonstrating it.5.5 Distinguish Arguments Based on Evidence from Arguments Based onwww.itpub.net