The Hook and the Thesis Statement

You will see in the models above that each essay start with ‘hook’. What is a hook? A hook is a statement that draws your readers in; it may be as a rhetorical question (a rhetorical question is a question that the writer asks, and intends to answer). It may also be a statement or question that contains surprising statistical information for the reader. ‘Did you know that you are 20% more likely to breath in pollution when you are sitting in air-conditioned car than if you are walking on the sidewalk?’ is an example of a hook. This might surprise or scare the readers, and encourage them to read further. Many websites use hooks as a way to get potential readers to click on their links. In the online world it is known as ‘click-bait’.

The introduction should give some background information to the reader that helps them understand why the research is necessary. The introduction will be the logical extension of the hook, so if we use the previous hook, our introduction will continue:

“In Indonesia traffic jams are commonplace due to the overpopulation particularly in the main islands such as Java and Sumatra. Due to Indonesia being a tropical country, and the static nature of the traffic, the combination of heat and smog necessitates the use of air-conditioning. However, is air-conditioning a true necessity? This essay will explore why air-conditioning should be banned in all private vehicles in populated urban spaces in Indonesia.”

The thesis statement of this essay is contained in the final sentence of this introduction. The debating points of ‘populated urban areas’ and ‘private vehicles’ show the reader the focus of our propositions. The essay is not proposing a wholesale ban. If the person making the propositions defines the premise they have more control over the debate than their opponent. Therefore, it is important to construct your thesis statement carefully in order to anticipate your opponent’s counterpoints.

You will notice that the introduction does not give any description of how the argument will be won, that is not the purpose of an introduction. It establishes the general context (Indonesia) and establishes and the problem (traffic jam and pollution).

Refutations

According to Merriam-Webster, a refutation is “a process by which you prove {someone or something] wrong by argument or evidence” (n.d.). In academic English, we must never allow emotions to control our writing. We may believe very strongly in something, but we must temper our language with the use of carefully chosen statements and refutations. As much as it may be part of our daily lives, we cannot based any of our arguments or refutations on religious doctrine. As religion is faith-based, and most of academia, outside of theology and philosophy is science-based, religious differences prevent us from reaching mutual agreement.

Refutations should both recognize an opponent’s positions and contain data or logic to defeat the opponent’s claim. An argumentative essay (or debate) could be seen as being similar to a boxing match. Each refutation should act as a strike on your opponent’s claim. Some refutations may be like a light punch while others damage your opponent’s credibility and may ‘knock out’ your opponent. Much like a boxing match, there are rules for how you engage with your opponent and you are not expected to land a knock out with every refutation but the opponent’s point should at least be neutralized.

A refutation paragraph typically should have an introduction to the opponent’s argument, and acknowledgement of which part(s) of the argument are valid. They should then counter the argument with a deconstruction of their logic or data and evidence from research. Do not forget to correctly cite resources.

A refutation that is based on evidence should be from the timeliest of sources. Citing information from 1953 will perhaps looks strange if you are discussing technology or fast-moving academic fields. Try to corroborate (back up) your research with other sources to ensure it is correct. Remember, some of your readers may be experts in the same field as you are writing about and will almost certainly be criticized you if you are wrong.

Do not make up sources for your refutations. Sources can be easily checked and lecturers are talented at spotting false citations.

Conclusion

Your conclusion should contain a round-up of your arguments and refutations. The reader should be left in no doubt that you have clearly neutralized your opponent’s point and successfully convinced the reader that you are correct. However, you should also recognize the limitations of your essay. Once you have constructed your essay according to one of the models above, you will find the word limit will restrict you to a shorter space than you need. You should find that you need to leave material out of your essay. In the conclusion you can write recommendations to future researchers about how they could successfully improve upon this research. If you do not include recommendations, it suggests that you believe your essay is perfect and you have fixed this problem forever. It is highly unlikely that this research cannot be taken further and/or improved upon and we should always retain the ability to be critical of our own work. This does not mean you are expected to find faults where there are none, but at this stage of your academic career, 1250 words should feel constricting and uncomfortable to adequately express yourself.