I wrote a basic how-to previously about argument and recently someone mentioned the commission I was on that prompted that post and I've been thinking that both argument and creative ideas both start from the same place- essentially you got to have an angle.
An idea requires an angle, an in, a perspective. If you're sending up something how are you doing it, through tone, genre, context, character etc. Similarly for an argument you need an in, a place to begin, a starting place from which to apply pressure.
Imagine a wooden deck. Depending on its construction it is either tightly put together or sloppily constructed. This dictates just how difficult it will be to begin. Imagine a crowbar or hammer. That is the start of your argument, the beginning of your inspiration. You find a crack, crevice, or hole and start prying up those boards. You insert your tool and exert force, depending on how seamless the construction the more difficult it is to get started. But with time and patience even the smallest crack can be exploited, even the most solidly constructed piece can be broken down, taken apart.
It's just a matter of getting an appropriate way in, a solid start. Some ideas or arguments seem impossible to realize or break open but with even the smallest opportunity, the tiniest flaw, pressure and time will pay off. Once you figure out the way in the whole thing will blossom.
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