{"id":7278,"date":"2024-09-23T13:41:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-23T12:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.novlr.org\/?p=7278"},"modified":"2024-09-23T13:41:03","modified_gmt":"2024-09-23T12:41:03","slug":"how-do-you-write-an-argument","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/how-do-you-write-an-argument\/","title":{"rendered":"How do you write an argument?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201cHow can I write an effective argument between characters? \u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Few things get me excited reading a novel more than a well-written argument between characters. Like other parts of a story, an argument is riddled with conflict and opportunity to open a dramatic can of worms of potential action, a character\u2019s downfall, internal strife, and so much more. And who doesn\u2019t love drama? That\u2019s why we love immersing ourselves in stories across all mediums!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For writers, however, dialogue is already a writing method we have a love-hate relationship with. Some people can write dialogue for days, while others are too intimidated to start a conversation with a simple \u201chello.\u201d But to dig further and turn a conversation into a meaningful argument? Where does one even start?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But not to worry! Like everything else in your story, there are ways to plot and write an argument to make sure it serves you and your project. I have a few key points to dive into, so let\u2019s get started!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Define your dialogue\u2019s purpose<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before we completely dive into the specifics of how to write an argument, it helps to go over a basic principle of writing dialogue<\/a>. That way, you have a solid foundation to start with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most important thing to do with your dialogue, just like your scenes and chapters, is to identify its purpose. Essentially, what\u2019s the point of writing this argument in the first place?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dialogue can serve a multitude of functions, and typically more than one at a time. It can advance plot, add character depth (i.e. voice, beliefs, personality, inner struggles, etc.), establish your story\u2019s theme, the list goes on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So you first need to determine what purpose or need your argument is supposed to fulfill in your scene beyond simply creating conflict for conflict\u2019s sake. Are you setting the mood of your genre? Are you raising the stakes in your plot? Or are you introducing a character\u2019s arc, internally and\/or externally?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notice how these questions are a big-picture look at your story. Even though it\u2019s part of one specific scene, your dialogue\u2019s purpose should serve your overarching story, and not just a single scene or chapter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another way to determine your argument\u2019s purpose is to ask what your readers are supposed to learn from it. Do they learn a clue to a mystery? Do they see how two characters react differently to a new problem? What is relevant and necessary for them to gain from this?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, knowing this purpose allows you to determine whether the argument is worth writing in the first place and adds value to your story. Then, you can go further into the nitty-gritty details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Two<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dialogue conflict = conflicting character goals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s one thing to know the purpose of your dialogue, but it\u2019s another level\u2013and a deeper one\u2013to get your characters involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When writing a scene, there are at least two things that happen that drive a story: a character will have a goal (big or small) they want to accomplish, and conflict via a challenge arises for that character to confront (sometimes more than once in a scene). This is the same concept for an argument. So your next question to ask is: What is each character\u2019s goal in the argument, and how does this create conflict?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And to answer this, you need to get behind the \u201cwhy\u201d of the argument: why your characters are in it and doing what they\u2019re doing. Doing so helps establish the core set-up of your dialogue\u2013kind of like plotting a scene!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You also need to ensure, for the sake of a realistic argument, that at least one of your character\u2019s goals interferes with the goal of another. Otherwise, you don\u2019t have conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example: you can have a character who was wronged by another and seeks answers, while that other character dislikes the confrontation and wants to avoid it. And things get tense when neither get what they want because they\u2019re not cooperating with each other\u2019s desires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See how the different goals interfere and create conflict? For the sake of purposeful dialogue and for meaningful conflict in a scene, there must be a valid reason the characters are arguing. And not to argue \u201cbecause drama.\u201d That\u2019s how your writing falls flat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Know your characters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When an argument opens up conflict between characters, it\u2019s really important to know your characters inside and out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s use the above example again, with one character confronting the other. Their goals are conflicting. So what happens then? Do they change their goals? Is one character aggressive enough to start a fight? Does a character give up?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All of those answers depend on who your characters are in the argument. Knowing your characters helps determine how they act and react with the motivations behind their goals; from the start of conflict to resolution. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does a character change their voice to take on a more diplomatic tone, or do they get so angry they drop all proper speech and start cursing? Do they hate conflict so much, they would rather tell the other character they\u2019re right, even though they\u2019re wrong? Some characters, like some people in real life, will even try to avoid an argument altogether and just hide!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arguments are also far from black and white. \u201cWinning\u201d and \u201closing\u201d one is entirely subjective, and a character can do either while still getting their point across (or perhaps, meet their goal).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s say you have a couple in a romance story yelling at each other. One character starts the argument by mentioning another character\u2019s flaw, and in the next heated moment, makes a rude comment that hurts them. The other character could be so distraught by the comment that it triggers an internal struggle, and they walk away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first character it could look like they have \u201cwon\u201d the argument by getting their point across with their rude remark and having the last say. For the second character, it can seem like they have \u201clost\u201d the argument, but to them making their point by walking away counts as a \u201cwin.\u201d It can also affect their goals, as if this argument was the last straw, their goal has now changed to going upstairs to pack their bags and move out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you feel you don\u2019t know your characters enough for writing your argument\u2013or any type of dialogue\u2013on a deep, effective level, I highly recommend pausing and discovering more about them. Getting to know your characters is a journey in itself, and there are tons of ways to do so. Below are some extra resources to get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n