Argument

“Everything’s an Argument”

Argument in its best academic, scholarly, or

journalistic sense is not the same as an emotional argument or conflict between people. In general, it seeks to open a subject, not close it; to broaden a subject, not narrow it; and primarily to earn respect for a position, not necessarily defeat one.

Argument

Every argument has a claim-also called an

assertion or proposition—that states the argument’s main idea or position.

A claim differs from a topic or subject in that it has to be arguable.

It can’t just be a statement of fact; it has to state a position that some people might disagree with and others might agree with.

What’s a Claim?

1. SUV owners should be required to pay an energy

surcharge.2. Charter schools are an alternative to public schools.3. Ronald Reagan was the most charismatic president of

the 20th century.4. The terms global warming and climate change

describe different perspectives on this complex issue.5. Requiring students to wear uniforms improves school

spirit.6. Students graduating from college today can expect to

have more debt than any previous generation.

Claim or not?

Arguments of Fact Arguments of Values Arguments of Policy

While it is helpful to separate the 3 for analysis, in practice it is not always that simple. Indeed, it is quite common for an argument to include more than one type of claim.

We argue about 3 Basic Categories:

(Claims of fact) assert that something is true or not true. Arguments of fact often pivot on what exactly is “factual.”

Facts become arguable when they are questioned, when they raise controversy, when they challenge people’s beliefs. “The Social Security program will go bankrupt in

2025.” “Global Warming is a serious problem.” TV violence and video games do have an effect and

increase the violence of our youth.

Arguments of Fact

Claims of Value argue that something is good

or bad, right or wrong, desirable or undesirable. Just like any other claim, a claim of value must be arguable. This claim may be based on personal judgment, or they may be an objective evaluation.

Arguments of Values

To develop an argument from a claim of value,

you must establish specific criteria or standards and then show to what extent the subject meets your criteria. Capital punishment is wrong. Giving incentives to motivate donations to

charity is not okay. The war in Iraq is doing more harm than good.

Argument of Values

Anytime your propose a change, you’re

making a claim of policy. An argument of policy generally begins with a

definition of the problem (claim of fact), explains why it is a problem (claim of value), and then explains the change that needs to happen (claim of policy).

Argument of Policy

While an argument of policy usually calls for

some direct action to take place, it may be a recommendation for a change in attitude or viewpoint. We should grant amnesty to hard-working, law-

abiding alien workers. The US should not immediately withdraw from

Iraq.

Keep in mind…

We argue for 4 major reasons:

To assert To prevail To inquire To negotiate differences

“Felons and the Right to Vote” NYTimes

Why do we argue?

Logos- logic, rational

Pathos- emotion, morality, ethics, values

Ethos- credibility or sources, use of sources*As a reader- recognize it*As a writer- master it***How: tone (measured, respectful “a good

person speaking well”) quality of evidence/sources.

We use 3 Basic Appeals

Political Legal Historical Values: ethical/moral/religious Scientific Psychological Economic Pragmatic Post Modern Sociological

The Premises of Argument-that which can divide us

Political- “The American public supports it.” Legal- “It’s the law/shouldn’t be the law.”

Historical- “It has/has not worked in the past.” Values: ethical/moral/religious- “It is right” (eye for an

eye, justice). “It is not right” (thou shalt not kill: two wrongs do not make a right).

Psychological- “Most prisoners on death row were abused children.”

Economic- “It’s too expensive.” “It’s cheaper than life without parole.”

Pragmatic- “It doesn’t work.” “It’s an ineffective deterrent.”

Sociological- “A disproportionate number of the poor and people of color are on death row.”

The Premises of Argument-