Remind of arguments in argumentative diagramsC. Colak, D. Gulik, M. Kersten, M. van der Matten en D. Vroom

Method

An argumentative diagram is a graphical representation of arguments. The diagram constrains textual interpretation and makes argumentation visible (Ainsworth, 1999). Primary notation and secondary notation are important notations in an argumentative diagram.

This study was conducted to determine two of the five shapes of secondary notation, namely overall structure and summarization. The other shapes are: clustering, complex relations and linearity.

The research question is: “Do students, between 17 and 25 years old, remember arguments better in an argumentative diagram with overall structure and summarization?”

May, 2007

Introduction Results Discussion

• 40 participants, students, between 17 and 25 years old, were selected from mediate vocational education, higher vocational education and university education.

• Five minutes to prior an argumentative diagram, with with overall structure and summarization or an argumentative diagram without secondary notation.

• A field experiment consisted of two conditions. The first condition: show 20 students an argumentative diagram include the use of secondary notation, namely ´overall structure´ and ´summarization´. The second condition: show 20 participants an argumentative diagram without secondary notation.

Conclusion

• The diagram with use of secondary notation scored significant better, than negative arguments in the diagram without secundary notation.

• The negative arguments are slightly better remembered than the positive arguments in the diagram with use of secondary notation.

Due to the results, the hypothesis H0 in favor of hypothesis H1 were accepted. The arguments in an argumentative diagram include overall structure and summarization are better remembered'.

For further examination:• the choice of words in the diagram is of great value• the number of participants was too little to form a correct and academic accepted sample.

Due to the results, the hypothesis H0 in favor of hypothesis H1 were accepted. The arguments in an argumentative diagram include overall structure and summarization are better remembered'.

For further examination:• the choice of words in the diagram is of great value• the number of participants was too little to form a correct and academic accepted sample.

•Almost all the participants would like to change the settings of the use without secondary notation in a diagram. The participants preferred to split the arguments in positive, negative and in different colors.

•The diagram with use of secondary notation uses a more structure-based diagram. By using one or more shapes of secondary notation it could be less difficult for participants to remember the subject and the arguments. • The negative arguments had a few more shadowboxes. The participant could easily remember this better.

Two experimental hypotheses:• H0: Students, between 17 and 25 years old, remember arguments about the ‘OV-Chipkaart’ better in an argumentative with overall structure and summarization.

• H1: Students, between 17 and 25 years old, remember arguments about the ‘OV- Chipkaart’ not better in an argumentative diagram with overall structure and summarization.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Positive Negative

With 'overallstructure' and'summarization'

Without 'overallstructure' and'summarization'

(t(38) = 7.11, p <.001, = < .025) DISCUSSION