A short introduction to argument mapping as a planning technique for clear thinking, clear structure and persuasive workplace writing.

Argument mapping is a way of planning a document by setting out the main claim, the reasons that support it, the evidence needed to make those reasons credible, and any objections that may need to be addressed. Instead of beginning with paragraphs, the writer begins with the logic of the message.

More precisely, argument mapping helps a writer design or redesign an argument before committing it to prose. It makes the relationships among claims visible: which claim is the conclusion, which claims are reasons, which claims need further support, and which links in the reasoning may be weak.

This is useful because many workplace documents fail before the writing begins. The problem is often not grammar or style, but an unclear argument. The writer may know a great deal about the issue but may not yet know which points are essential, which details are only interesting, and how the parts of the case fit together.

A simple way to test an argument map is to move down the map by asking "Why?" and move back up the map by asking "So what?". If a reason does not answer the "Why?" question, it may not support the claim above it. If a claim does not answer the "So what?" question, its relevance to the argument may be unclear.

Argument mapping can also be used to analyse another person's argument. This is useful when a writer must respond to objections, review advice, or test the reasoning behind a proposal. By identifying the conclusion, reasons and assumptions in another argument, the writer can see where it is strong, where it is incomplete, and where a response should be focused.

In the Effective Writing course, argument mapping is used as a practical bridge between thinking and writing. Participants learn to use it to clarify complex issues, reduce unnecessary detail, build more defensible arguments, and prepare documents that are clear, concise, credible and compelling.

You may also be interested in the companion edVirtus course: Persuasive Presentations.

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