6c Back up your thesis with persuasive lines of argument.

Arguments of any complexity contain lines of argument that, when taken together, might reasonably persuade readers that the thesis has merit. You can think of lines of argument as your reasons. Below, for example, are the main lines of argument that student writer Sam Jacobs used in his paper about the shift from print to online news (see 6g).

CENTRAL CLAIM

Thesis: The shift from print to online news provides unprecedented opportunities for readers to become more engaged with the news, to hold journalists accountable, and to participate as producers, not simply as consumers.

SUPPORTING CLAIMS

• Print news has traditionally had a one-sided relationship with its readers, delivering information for passive consumption.
• Online news invites readers to participate in a collaborative process—to question and even contribute to the content.
• Links within news stories provide transparency, allowing readers to move easily from the main story to original sources, related articles, or background materials.
• Technology has made it possible for readers to become news producers—posting text, audio, images, and video of news events.
• Citizen journalists can provide valuable information, sometimes more quickly than traditional journalists can.