Argument & voice

Neville (2009) defines this as taking ownership of your work by:deciding yourself which position or direction to take; selecting evidence that allows you to present a strong set of arguments or descriptions; summarizing or paraphrasing in your own words what you have read; writing in a style that comes from within. (pp. 123-124).

• deciding yourself which position or direction to take;
• selecting evidence that allows you to present a strong set of arguments or descriptions;
• summarizing or paraphrasing in your own words what you have read;
• writing in a style that comes from within.

The following guides will help you in understanding argument and voice in your writing:

Developing an argument

Expressing voice in your writing

Voice in academic writing

In most of your writing at university, you will need to present your academic position on a topic or at least indicate your attitude towards what you write about.

The following guides will help you in understanding the use of academic voice in your writing:

Practicing writing in your own voice

Verbs of attribution

Presenting a point of view