How To Write an Essay
A Lesson in Proper Arguments
Why is this presentation at
Skepticamp?
• Skepticism is about the process of thinking
• Skeptics need to present proper arguments
• Essay – A formalized piece of writing that
presents and defends an argument
• Being able to write an essay = being able to
argue and understand the flaws in another’s
argument
Parts of an Essay
• Introduction
– Gives definitions
– Presents thesis
• Body
– Presents arguments that prove thesis
• Conclusion
– Restates thesis
Introduction – That Thing at the
Beginning
• Starts with the Hook
• Defines terms, gives context
• The Thesis
The Thesis
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Most important part of your essay
What you’re trying to prove
Your essay boiled down to a sentence
Must be clear and precise
SAMPLE: “Although they may begin with the best
intentions, due to their ignorance and ultimate
refusal to understand the science surrounding
autism, anti-vaccinationists wind up causing more
harm than any good they could hope to
accomplish.”
Body – Proof That You’re Right
• Each paragraph follows similar shape of whole
essay
• Each paragraph MUST BE DISTINCT
• Don’t reference thesis, but show evidence
that backs it
Body Outline for Sample Essay
• Anti-Vaccinationists get science wrong
– Don’t understand dose responses
– Don’t understand difference between ethyl and methyl mercury
– Reject studies that disprove vaccine-autism hypothesis
• Fear of vaccination injures society
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People forget diseases are dangerous
Return of HiB
Return of Measels
Lingering polio in 3rd world
• Distract from researching actual causes of autism
– Absorbs research funding into funding studies that prove vaccines are
safe
– Creates cottage industry of autism “cures” that actually hurt kids, for
example, chelation therapy
Conclusion – Sum it Up
• Reverse order from introduction
• Restate thesis w/ summation of evidence
– As you can see, the denial of science by anti-vaccinationists
keeps them from understanding the root causes of autism,
keeps scientists from being able to properly deal with the actual
causes of autism, and in fact allows their children to come to
harm, thanks to reliance on bad therapies.
• Finally, take it home.
– Call to action (I hope you will help me in stopping antivaccinationists so that we can better help people with autism
and keep ourselves from getting measles)
– Further questions (We are left to wonder, if it is not science
fueling the anti-vaccine movement, what is?)
– Leave them something to think about further
How can you use this information?
• Normally, I say to outline here, HOWEVER, this is
Skepticamp so…
• You can write
• What’s more important though:
• Deconstruct someone else’s argument
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What is their thesis?
Is that thesis defended?
How is it defended?
What can you say about their evidence?
• Responsibility of skeptics is to be in the world
• Go out and argue