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Writing Your Journal Article in 12 Weeks Writing Club

A guide for students participating in the CSU writing club using the text Writing Your Journal Article in 12 Weeks by Wendy Laura Belcher.

Week 3: Advancing Your Argument

  1. What is the scope of your article? Is the journal you've chosen a good match for your article topic?
  2. Does your article use appropriate and rigorous methods for my field? Is the main idea it communicates original? Is it significant?
  3. Are there issues with the structure of your article? Does it have problems with spelling or grammar?
  4. Can you articulate the argument of your article? What evidence do you have to support it?
  5. Based on your argument, what will need to be revised in your article?

If you're using the 2nd edition of the text, see the chapter for Week 2.

  • Write a draft of your argument.
  • Make a list of the evidence you intend to use.
  • Revise your article around your argument. Check your introduction, body, evidence, and conclusion.

Do you have an argument?

  1. Can someone respond "I agree" or "I disagree" to your statement?
  2. Is what you've stated simply a topic? Or a project?
  3. Are you more interested in presenting data than making a focused argument?

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