How To Craft A Defendable Argument

How to craft your argument for a resolution aka a topic?

1. Think about which side you want to take for a given resolution.

   1. Let's think about this example resolution: Countries ought to limit tourism to tourist attractions

2. What general points can help back up whichever side you choose?

   1. Think about WHY you think tourism should be limited. These should be broad ideas such as "Countries ought to limit tourism because it can be a public nuisance."

3. Ask yourself why tourism would lead to (whatever your general idea is).

   1. for example, "Why would tourism be a public nuisance?"

   2. To support that specific point, tourism can lead to overcrowding, meaning that tourists may not be able to see the location in its entirety and for its beauty.

4. Always remember to include concrete evidence from credible sources

   1. for example, according to National Geographic, "80% of travelers visit just 10% of the world's tourism destinations, meaning bigger crowds in fewer spots."

5. Make sure to talk about the impacts and significance of this point

   1. "This does more harm than good because tourists are not able to enjoy their vacation due to constantly having to fight to see a glimpse of a temple, for example. Tourists typically travel to new countries to experience a culture, but with too many tourists at once, they won't be able to."

6. Typically, 3 points for your side of the issue is a decent amount. This ensures that you are adequately defending your position.

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Let's Practice!

Students travel to new places within the country or internationally during school breaks. Whether traveling domestically or to another country, there is always a new aspect to explore: Asian temples, old and preserved towns, traditional foods, national parks, etc. Many of these monuments are most likely popular tourist attractions that garner crowds of people every year. Travelers swarm to glimpse the tall and majestic infrastructure and get their hands on mementos of famous locations, including Machu Picchu, Venice, or Amsterdam.

However, native peoples in these popular places are increasingly arguing that foreigners have been encroaching on their homeland and devaluing it. Stickers that say "This used to be my home" are plastered on the walls of buildings as a form of protest against tourism. Misbehavior or negligence of a space can also become a nuisance to the public and the country. On the other hand, tourism can have its benefits. Tourism from around the world stimulates the economy and tourists can experience new cultures different from their own by learning more about traditional clothing, religious buildings, and native foods.

Example Resolution: Countries ought to limit tourism to tourist attractions

What stance do you take?

Try to craft your own argument and subpoints before moving on from here :)

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Example Outline:

FOR the resolution

• tourism can be a public nuisance

  • intrude on people's everyday lives

  • misbehavior of tourists

  • overcrowding

• tourism can lead to economic disadvantages

  • dependence on tourism

  • local communities may not be able to benefit

• tourism can lead to adverse environmental impacts

  • irresponsible trash disposal

  • noise pollution

  • damage to nature

AGAINST the resolution

• economic advantages

  • stimulates the economy (increases in the number of jobs)

  • helps entrepreneurs thrive

• Help preservation

  • help preserve cultural locations and keep heritage alive with people constantly intrigued by it

• Increase cultural appreciation

  • tourism can stimulate a deeper understanding of a new culture and increase curiosity about a culture other than one's own

Always remember to connect each of your points to why your topic, in this case tourism, does more harm than good or more good than harm. How do these specific points impact citizens as a whole (tourists, locals, shop owners, etc)?

When organizing your thoughts on paper, write in bullet points and think of detailed explanations of each point in your head. This can help save time and space to add your own twist to each point in the argument.

See you next month with a new topic!