Final answer:
In high school English, prioritizing main points of an argument and supporting them with specific, credible evidence is essential. It's important to refute counterclaims, avoid stating the obvious, and maintain logical reasoning rather than letting emotions dictate the argument's direction.
Step-by-step explanation:
When tackling a question about refining arguments for literary analysis or composition, it's crucial to prioritize main points over supporting arguments. Although supporting arguments are important, they must be used to effectively bolster the main points rather than overshadowing them or introducing too many generalities. While working under time constraints, the focus should be on providing specific facts that lead to a stronger, more convincing argument. Moreover, whenever a supporting idea's validity is in question, it's necessary to reconsider that idea, ensuring that you can logically develop it to support the main point.
To establish a robust argument, one must:
- Identify and summarize the main point or thesis of the argument.
- Provide appropriate support such as quotations, statistics, expert opinions, and commonly accepted facts.
- Refute counterclaims by pointing out their weaknesses and bolstering your own argument.
Remember, an argument should not merely state the obvious, but it should also present a debatable position that is well-supported by strong evidence. In cases where emotionally charged or associative reasoning is encountered, it's imperative to stay focused on logical reasoning.