Does my paper have an argument?

What it does

Reads your essay and tells you whether it has an actual argument. An argument is a claim a knowledgeable reader could honestly disagree with. If it does, it shows you where it is and how well it's defended. If it doesn't, it finds where the argument is hiding in your writing and shows you what to do with it.

The test

Could a knowledgeable reader honestly disagree with your central claim? If yes, you have an argument. If no, you have a description, or less. The skill applies this test and tells you the result directly.

What you get back

Whether the essay has an argument, where the claim is (or where it could be), where description takes over from argument (specifically: paragraph by paragraph), and two or three concrete moves to make next.

What it won't do

Write your argument for you. The skill finds the argument in what you've already written and shows you where it is (if there is one). You form it.

Required

Tell the skill your level. Are you first year, second year, final year undergraduate, or early postgraduate? Do this before sending the essay. It calibrates to your level.

Scope

Undergraduate and early postgraduate essays in the qualitative human and social sciences.