Writing course

Useful verbs

demonstrate, gauge, ascertain, stress, outline, lay out, emphasise, profit from, arise, fathom,
determine, distress, reside in, examine, specify, arise, wring

Philosophical terms

claim
premise
consideration
idea
principle

argument
thesis
view
statement
assertion
position
attitude
point
objection
definition
idea

How to structure an argument

To establish a claim
In the first place
This is so, for instance, with
In order that this may
In connection with
Contrary to
It would seem to be appropriate to take X next.
But we must draw some distinctions with respect to…
Much argument has been made about
Things come under one idea
As it is
Alternatively,
For this reason,
One might well ask
Next comes a discussion of
Indeed,
Let us take these objections now
There is a glimmer of an objection
Or is it perhaps a matter of
Let us do similarly with
Let us return to
In the case of,
Some say that…; other, on the contrary, argue that…
Let us return to
Our basis, therefore, is that…
But we must try to be stilll clearer about
By a different approach, then….
By X, we mean…
This is confirmed by the fact that…
par excellence
The same conclusion is reached from
We are giving a rough summary
It seems, then…
Now we come to…
With respect to…
This is why it a hard job to be good
This presents a further problem
In this way
What, then,...
It may be that in calling X
This agrees with our definition

To result from to issue from

to stem from
to derive from
to follow from
to spring from

To live according to the guidance/dictates/authority of reason

To accommodate oneself to/adapt to

In the first place/in the second place

That is to say/that is

In order that one may

In connection with/with regard to
That’s not to say that…
What is worthy of notice/worthwhile

I will only add that

to ascertain
to gauge
to fathom
to determine

Qualities

affability
piety
perfidy
flattery
dejection

needy
needful

incumbent on

at length
extensively

to cherish
to admonish
to reprove

contrary to
opposite to
converse