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An argument is incomplete if it doesn’t fully explain how or why something happens, leaving readers thinking, “So what?” It might also use examples that don’t actually prove the point.
Another type of an incomplete argument is a non-example one or the example is unrelated to the ideas, where the explanations are not visualized by a related example.
Type 1: Missing the “How/Why”
These arguments state a fact but skip the explanation.
Example (Incomplete):
On the one hand, it is true that visual images have a significant impact on shaping children’s perception of life. In fact, children learn more from visual content than any other type.
- What’s wrong? It says visuals matter but doesn’t explain how they affect kids (e.g., Do violent images make kids aggressive? Do cartoons teach kindness?).
Fixed Version:
On the one hand, it is true that visual images have a significant impact on shaping children’s perception of life. In fact, the more a child is exposed to content that suggests violence as the solution for all situations, the more chance he or she will normalize violence. As a result, violent acts that are classified as criminal offenses become acceptable, hence the increase in crime rates. In 2010, a teenage Vietnamese boy of 15 years old committed an unspeakable crime against his grandmother and stole her money for his video games because he believed she would be resurrected as the characters in his games always did.
- Why it works? It explains how (violence in media → normalizing violence) and adds a real-life example.
Type 2: Unrelated or Missing Examples
Incomplete Argument (Unrelated Example)
Example (Incomplete):
Social media causes anxiety because constant comparison to others’ ‘perfect’ lives lowers self-esteem. Instagram has over 1 billion users.
- What’s wrong? The example (user count) is unrelated to social media causing anxiety. It’s just a random fact.
Fixed Version:
Social media causes anxiety because constant comparison to others’ ‘perfect’ lives lowers self-esteem. A 2022 study found teens who spent 3+ hours daily on Instagram were 45% more likely to report anxiety.
Incomplete Argument (No Example at All)
Example (Incomplete):
Reading improves vocabulary. People who read more know more words.”
- What’s wrong? No example or proof (e.g., a study, specific book, or test scores).
Fixed Version:
Reading improves vocabulary because encountering new words in context helps the brain retain them. For example, students who read 30 minutes daily scored 20% higher on vocabulary tests than non-readers.
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