Question

When writing an argument for an uncommon stance with little resources, should I base my points only off what I know, or what I think the stance would be?

Answer 1

When writing any argument you should base your points on facts that can be verified. This is especially true with an argument with an uncommon stance because this type of stance is going to be held up to vigorous scrutiny due to its nature. It would be unwise to argue such a point using your own knowledge. Not only will your argument come across as not credible, but it will not allow the reader to cross your 'facts'.

Answer 2

ok...I'm writing an argument for Bosnia's position, for a mock Model UN summit on the Syrian situation. Bosnia hasn't really done anything about it yet. What should I do then?

Answer 3

my partner and I has so far done extensive research on Bosnia's history, as well as Syria's situations/history. Until we can find some Bosnian views on the revolution, we can only really base it after what we know about bosnia...right?

Answer 4

Well it sounds like you're going to have base a good size portion of the paper on your opinion, but you still need to do your homework, which it sounds like you are well on your way. This is completely ofay to do in an academic paper, you just want to be sure that when you are stating the points of your opinion you point the reader to the facts that you are basing your opinion on. For example (and I'm completely making this up):

If this situation persists, Bosnia will retaliate, just as they did in 1989, 1996, and 2002 (Cruthers, 2007).

Back up your opinion with verifiable facts.

"we can only really base it after what we know about bosnia...right?"

Yes that is right, but where did you learn what you know about Bosnia? Where ever that was, it becomes your source.

Answer 5

...ok. Well thanks for your help! It's kinda...not a paper. We have to prepare notes, but we're saying whatever we want to, and we get awarded based on how well we argue our country's position and stay in character/context/argument.

Answer 6

Well, everything still applies except that you don't need to cite sources. Often you can play it a little bit looser in an oral presentation as well, but you do want to do your homework and know what you are talking about, especially if there may be questions at the end. Nothing is worse than getting asked a question that you don't know the answer to but should, especially if the question is based on one of the points you were making.

Answer 7

Sounds fun. :)