论点 (lùndiǎn) — argument, thesis

论点 (lùndiǎn)

论点 is the central claim or thesis put forward in an argument, essay, or debate. It is the position being defended or proved, as distinct from 论据 (the evidence supporting it) and 论证 (the process of argumentation). It is essential vocabulary for academic writing, debate, and critical analysis at C1 level.

Meanings

1. [n] argument, thesis, main point (in an essay or debate)
2. [n] proposition, claim (a position advanced for proof or refutation)

Example Sentences

这篇论文的核心论点是：语言结构对人类思维方式有深远影响。 Zhè piān lùnwén de héxīn lùndiǎn shì: yǔyán jiégòu duì rénlèi sīwéi fāngshì yǒu shēnyuǎn yǐngxiǎng. The central argument of this paper is that linguistic structure has a profound influence on human ways of thinking.

辩论双方都需要提出清晰的论点并以充分的证据加以支撑。 Biànlùn shuāngfāng dōu xūyào tíchū qīngxī de lùndiǎn bìng yǐ chōngfèn de zhèngjù jiāyǐ zhīchēng. Both sides of the debate need to put forward clear arguments and support them with sufficient evidence.

他的论点虽然新颖，却缺乏实证研究的支持，难以令人信服。 Tā de lùndiǎn suīrán xīnyǐng, què quēfá shízhèng yánjiū de zhīchí, nányǐ lìng rén xìnfú. Although his argument is novel, it lacks the support of empirical research and is difficult to be convincing.

批评者指出，该报告的主要论点建立在一系列未经证实的假设之上。 Pīpíng zhě zhǐchū, gāi bàogào de zhǔyào lùndiǎn jiànlì zài yī xìliè wèi jīng zhèngshí de jiǎshè zhī shàng. Critics point out that the main argument of the report rests on a series of unverified assumptions.

在学术论文写作中，论点必须具体、可辩护，并贯穿全文。 Zài xuéshù lùnwén xiězuò zhōng, lùndiǎn bìxū jùtǐ, kě biànhù, bìng guànchuān quánwén. In academic essay writing, the thesis must be specific, defensible, and run throughout the entire text.

这两位学者的论点看似对立，实则在认识论层面上有深刻的共通之处。 Zhè liǎng wèi xuézhě de lùndiǎn kàn sì duìlì, shí zé zài rèn shí lùn céngmiàn shàng yǒu shēnkè de gòngtōng zhī chù. The arguments of these two scholars appear to be opposed, but in fact share deep common ground at the epistemological level.

Collocations

Usage Notes

论点 is a key term in the 论证三要素: 论点 (claim/thesis), 论据 (evidence/grounds), and 论证 (argumentation/reasoning). In essay writing instruction, the distinction between these three is fundamental. 论点 should not be confused with 观点 (guāndiǎn, viewpoint/opinion): 观点 is a personal perspective, while 论点 implies a claim that is to be argued and defended systematically.

At C1 level, be aware that a single essay may have one 中心论点 (central thesis) supported by several 分论点 (sub-arguments).

Memory Hook

论 (to argue/discuss) + 点 (point) — a 论点 is the precise point you are arguing, the target of your whole discussion.