Argumentation

Chapter 19

• Most demanding pattern of writing• Has an argumentative edge—the writer takes

a stand• An attempt to convince an audience that the

author’s opinion is correct and/or move the audience to action

• Author presents a point of view about subject in the form or an assertion or thesis

Logical Argument

• Highly rational• Appeals to reader’s intellect• Logical• Objective evidence

Persuasive Argument

• Strongly emotional• Appeals to reader’s feelings• Uses emotional details• Selective language

Topics

• Something that is arguable or controversial• One you have a clear opinion about

Factors in an Argument

• Logos—quality of arguing soundly– EX: facts, statistics, examples, authority

statements, reason

• Pathos—connecting to the reader’s emotion– EX: values, attitudes, psychological needs

• Ethos—credibility or honesty of writer– EX: knowledgeable, trustworthy or ignorant,

shiftless

Establish an Assertion

• Assertion—the opinion you want the reader to accept (proposition or thesis)– The high-fashion fur industry should be curtailed.– The state should resume capital punishment

Provide Evidence

• Evidence—proof of your assertion– Personal experience

• Legitimate support of your position– Experience of others

• Be sure you verify the information as accurate– Authoritative sources

• Facts (but be careful of statistics)• Research• Be sure the source is recognized as such

– Physicist’s opinion on gun control isn’t worth much for your agrument

Arrange the Argument Logically

• Inductively– Details to a generalization– Presents evidence then draws a conclusion

• Deductively– Generalization to a specific– Presents a generalization, considers a specific

case, then arrives at a conclusion– Often called syllogistic

Recognize the Type of Reader

• Supportive readers—already agree with you– Don’t need to overload with facts and statistics– Can emphasize pathos (emotion)

Type of Reader

• Wavering readers—uncommitted or uninformed– Use logos—facts, solid evidence– Use ethos—establish your trustworthiness and

honesty

Type of Reader

• Hostile readers—apathetic, skeptical, sometimes mean– Give facts—rely on logos• Simple• dramatic

– Pathos won’t work—they don’t have the same feelings on the topic you do

– Ethos won’t work—they don’t trust your side already

Examine the Argument

• Toulmin model—three things to look at when examining an argument– The claim is the conclusion drawn from the

information—the thesis– The grounds is the information related to the

issue—the evidence– The warrant is the principle that links the evidence

to the thesis—the assumption

EXAMPLE

• Claim: We can’t go camping• Ground: We have a midterm exam• Warrant: Students should stay home and

study before a test

• The warrant does not have to be stated (it can be implied).

EXAMPLE 2

• Claim: Films that feature characters who smoke should carry warnings about the dangers of smoking.

• Ground: Films that feature characters who smoke are a form of advertisement.

• Warrant: Advertisements for cigarettes should carry warning about the dangers to health that smoking poses.

Structure