Structuring the argument of a theoretical paper
Preparing a tabular argument for Bachelor’s theses and Master’s seminars
Richard Parncutt, Uni Graz; updated on 27 November 2014
Your name: ____________________ Date of this draft: __________
Introduction Einleitung
Example
Beispiel
Main topic
Hauptthema
Academic
background
Wissenschaftlicher
Hintergrund
Main question
Hauptfrage
Context and
relevance
Kontext und
Relevanz
Possible
theses
Mögliche
Thesen
Approach
Ansatz
Main section Hauptteil
Fill the following table separately for 1st subtopic, 2nd subtopic etc. with a new
page for each subtopic.
Subtopic
Teilthema
Subquestion
Teilfrage
Possible
subtheses
Mögliche
Teilthesen
Arguments and
evidence
Argumente und
Beweismaterial
Subthesis
Teilthese
Counterarguments or evidence; rebuttal
Gegenargumente
und Widerlegung
2
Conclusion Schlussteil
Main question
Hauptfrage
Main thesis
Hauptthese
Domain of validity
Gültigkeitsbereich
Main arguments
and evidence
Hauptargumente
und beweismaterial
Main counterevidence ;
rebuttal
Wichtigste
Gegenargumente;
Wiederlegung
Methodological
limitations
Methodische
Einschränkungen
Application to
example
Anwendung auf
Beispiel
Implications
Auswirkungen
Suggestions for
further research
Weiterführende
Forschung
3
How to use this template to create your own tabular argument
Procedure. To create your tabular argument, read the accompanying materials and
fill in the table with your specific content. Be prepared to revise the content many
times (e.g. during discussions in class, or when you read a relevant literature
source) before writing your thesis (Bachelorarbeit) or master-level paper/essay
(Seminararbeit). Repeated revision is necessary to develop a clear, convincing,
comprehensive, original academic argument. You can make the revisions on your
laptop, but for interactions in class a pencil and eraser might work better. As you
write your paper based on the table, revise it yet again to match what you have
written. Finally, include the table as an appendix to your final paper.
Relationship between table and text. The text of your paper or thesis should read
like a regular academic paper - similar in style to the ones you have cited.
1. The text should have the same structure as the table (same order).
2. The text should focus on content. Avoid direct references to the structure of
the table (e.g. not “My thesis is…” or “Here are my counterarguments”).
3. The text should include all points in the table, and go into more detail about
each of them.
On this basis it will be easy to write an abstract. Just string together the following
elements: introductory sentence, main thesis, (first subtopic:) first subthesis,
(second subtopic:) second subthesis, (third subtopic:) third subthesis, main
argument against thesis, rebuttal, implications.
Not that your abstract should not make direct reference to the structure of the text
(e.g. don’t write “In the introduction…”). Everything in the abstract should be
included and elaborated upon in the table.
Length of table. The table should focus on the main points in your argument and
clarify the relationship between them. Please no more than one page for the
introduction, one page per subquestion, and one page for the conclusion.
References. Most cells in the table should include in-text references, either like this:
Smith (2005) or like this: (Smith, 2005). If you give me a draft of the table to read,
please add a complete reference list, because the references are an essential part
of your argument. Use APA format (in psychology) or Chicago or MLA (in
humanities). Do not mix formats. Your written text may include additional
references. Include the table as an appendix to your final essay or thesis.
4