It can be an answer to a question, a case or set of developments for study, a claim of knowledge, an argument that challenges a different claim, etc. Assume that the reader is competent. Avoid antagonizing the reader. Instead, it creates a serious risk that your arguments will be dismissed as offensive, lightweight, poorly supported, and unworthy of further attention. Assess alternative perspectives.
Reasonable people can and do disagree.
As a writer, you have an obligation to reveal why a competent reader should adopt your perspective instead of someone else's. Often this means that you will want to consider explicitly, and perhaps even accommodate partially, those arguments which might reasonably be raised against your viewpoint. It has the additional virtue of making you appear reasonable. Think through what sorts of evidence would be convincing to a competent reader. Evidence includes both fact and value dimensions, as well as your analytical judgements about those facts and values.