Understanding Arguments in Literature

While most people associate arguments with disagreements, the literary definition of an argument differs. In academic and literary contexts, an argument represents a writer's stance on an issue, typically presented as a thesis statement supported by reasoning and evidence. In literary writing, an argument is a concise summary that precedes a chapter, book, or canto. Usage of Argument in Literature The use of arguments became common during the Renaissance to help readers navigate extensive literary works. These succinct summaries often appeared in prose at the beginning of a poem or section. Arguments enable readers to anticipate the text's meaning and understand the writer's intentions. Common Examples of Arguments In literature, as in everyday life, arguments are used to convince others of a viewpoint. This involves stating a belief, such as "The internet is a valuable invention," and then building an argument to support it with logical reasons like "It provide…