an original argument

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an original argument" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a unique or novel point of view or reasoning in an essay, debate, or academic paper. Example: "In her thesis, she presented an original argument that challenged the conventional wisdom on climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

I always pick up a Posner essay expecting to be challenged by an original argument.

The New York Times

In his paper, "Mental Events" [1980, essay 11], his denial that there are reason to action laws framed in the psychological vocabulary of ordinary discourse takes on special emphasis, and it plays a key role in an original argument he constructs for the token/token identity of mental and physical states.

SEP

The Only Possible Argument in Support of a Demonstration of the Existence of God (1762 3) is a major book in which Kant drew on his earlier work in Universal History and New Elucidation to develop an original argument for God's existence as a condition of the internal possibility of all things, while criticizing other arguments for God's existence.

SEP

Think about making an original argument.

WikiHow

An original argument, but one unlikely to please the IMF, which is still haggling over a plan for Russia's disastrous economy.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Beyond the critique of functional explanations, Elster does not advance any original argument in support of methodological individualism.

SEP

It may not be a wholly original argument, but Freeman makes it with convincing urgency.

The New Yorker

Dream arguments have been a staple of philosophical skepticism since antiquity and in fact were so well known in the 17th century that in his objections to the Meditations, Hobbes (1641) criticized Descartes for not having come up with a more original argument and boring the reader with the all-too-familiar scenario of dream deception.

SEP

In academic essays and debates, students must interpret a question, gather relevant information from primary and secondary sources, analyse and synthesise the information, and from there develop a strong and original argument.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

Sexual selection the selection of females by males or vice versa for breeding purposes—had played a minor role in the original argument of the Origin, and its importance was denied by contemporaries like A. R. Wallace.

SEP

The applicability of this as a rebuttal of the original argument is complicated and requires consideration on a number of counts.

Bioethics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to present "an original argument", ensure it's well-supported with evidence and clearly distinguishes itself from existing viewpoints. State explicitly why it is novel and how it contributes to the existing discourse.

Common error

Avoid labeling your argument as "an original argument" without providing a clear explanation of its novelty. Substantiate its uniqueness by contrasting it with established viewpoints and demonstrating how it offers a fresh perspective or new insights.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an original argument" functions as a noun phrase. It typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting a claim or line of reasoning that is novel or unique. The examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in academic, news, and general contexts, aligning with the AI's confirmation of its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an original argument" is grammatically sound and serves to emphasize the novelty of a particular claim or line of reasoning. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is usable in written English, although its frequency is relatively rare. The phrase appears in various contexts, including news, science, and general writing, suggesting its broad applicability. To effectively use this phrase, ensure the argument's originality is well-substantiated and clearly differentiated from existing viewpoints. Alternatives such as "a novel argument" or "a unique argument" can provide nuanced variations to express the concept of innovative reasoning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a novel argument

Emphasizes the new and unprecedented nature of the argument.

a unique argument

Highlights the distinctiveness and singularity of the argument.

an innovative argument

Focuses on the inventive and creative aspects of the argument.

a groundbreaking argument

Suggests the argument is pioneering and sets a new precedent.

a fresh argument

Implies the argument is new and refreshing.

an unprecedented argument

Highlights the fact that the argument has never been presented before.

a distinct argument

Emphasizes the clear and noticeable difference of the argument.

a creative argument

Focuses on the imaginative aspect of the argument.

a pioneering argument

Suggests the argument is among the first of its kind.

an unconventional argument

Highlights the argument's departure from established norms.

FAQs

How can I effectively present "an original argument" in my essay?

Start by clearly defining the existing viewpoints on the topic, then introduce your argument, highlighting its novel aspects and the evidence supporting it. Conclude by emphasizing how your argument contributes new insights or perspectives to the discussion.

What does it mean for an argument to be considered "original"?

An argument is considered "original" when it presents a perspective or line of reasoning that significantly differs from established or commonly accepted viewpoints. It often involves new evidence, a unique interpretation, or a novel synthesis of existing ideas.

What can I say instead of "an original argument"?

You can use alternatives like "a novel argument", "a unique argument", or "an innovative argument" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "an original argument" always a strong argument?

Not necessarily. While originality is valuable, the strength of an argument also depends on its logical soundness, the quality of evidence supporting it, and its coherence with existing knowledge. An "original argument" must still be well-reasoned and persuasively presented.