A super quick video for invaluable tips on building your argument with our author Dave Rush. Dave shares insights into the questions you should ask yourself to feel confident when making and defending an argument.

Super Quick Skills provides the essential building blocks you need to succeed at university - fast. Packed with practical, positive advice on core academic and life skills, you'll discover focused tips and strategies to use straight away. Whether it's writing great essays, understanding referencing or managing your wellbeing, find out how to build good habits and progress your skills throughout your studies.

Why is building arguments an important skill for students to master?

University study isn't just about acquiring knowledge, it's about learning how to use that knowledge to answer questions and understanding how different contexts and theoretical standpoints change how that knowledge is applied to the real world. It's also one of the most important skills that you learn at university that will help you in your life outside your studies.

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What's the most common mistake students make in this area?

The most common mistake is not answering the question. When students are given an essay, presentation, or other sort of assignment, they often get distracted discussing the general topic and lose focus on exactly what they're being asked to talk about. It's important to remember that everything you include has to be relevant to the specific question at hand, or it's not helping you to build a good argument or get a good mark.

What top tip would you give to students wanting to improve how they build arguments?

Have a very clear idea of what you want to say overall before you start writing or speaking. Try summarising your argument in one or two sentences - and if you can't, that means you need to put some more thought in first.

Looking for more on building arguments? Click here for an On-Demand Webinar with Dave Rush.