What is the assignment asking you to do? It is important to take time to understand this, because your argument needs to be a clear and direct response to the essay topic. Try turning your topic into a main (primary) question. Your answer to this question will be your overall argument. Take the following example:

Topic: Justify why ethics is important in psychological research

Questions asked by topic

• What is research ethics?


• How does research ethics impact the lives of people - researchers, research participants, society in general?


• What could happen if there was no research ethics?

Your argument should:

• Be designed to convince the reader that research ethics is important in the lives of people. This can include research participants, researchers, and society in general.


• Show clearly how research ethics impact the way people work, study, or live


• Show the consequences of having research ethics


• Show examples where research ethics were not followed or research was conducted under different ethical guidelines than exist today

You will not be able to formulate your argument until you have read widely on the topic. Remember that the information you use must be suitable evidence to support your argument. Suitable evidence is usually found in academic journals and books, not popular magazines or the personal experiences of people. Since every discipline may have different requirements for acceptable evidence, make sure that you have familiarised yourself with some arguments within your discipline.

You might already have some ideas about this topic, but you will need to weigh up all available information before finally deciding on your argument. Don’t disregard arguments that don’t fit in with what you think. Consider them carefully.

There might be competing points of view. As you read, you will need to evaluate the evidence the writers have used to support their claims. Note the strengths and weaknesses of different viewpoints.

Before writing, jot down your argument in a sentence or two. You need to be both clear and concise. This statement will become your thesis statement in the introductory paragraph of your essay. For example:

Topic: Justify why ethics is important in psychological research

Possible Thesis Statement: Research ethics is important because it has a significant impact on the lives of people by affecting how research is done. The lack of appropriate research ethics would have negative effects on people who are involved in the research, including the research participants.

State your argument clearly in the introduction, and restate it in the conclusion. For an argument to be developed and supported, paragraphs also need to be put to work.

Paragraphs must be linked to your argument – they should expand or support some aspect of it. A useful check is to ask yourself what your main point is in each paragraph, and how it defends your argument. Do your topic or concluding sentences link back to your argument? You need to be very explicit; your audience cannot read your mind.