Eng 102BC Argument Synthesis
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Transcript of Eng 102BC Argument Synthesis
Writing Arguments
Argument as Inquiry
Using Evidence Effectively
Argument Synthesis
Argument is not a fight or a quarrel
creative & productive activity
engages high levels of inquiry and critical thinking
often in conversation with liked and respected people
Argument is not a Pro-Con Debate
desire for truth
aims to find best solution to complex problem
goal isn’t to win a game; goal is to find and promote best belief or course of action
Arguments can be explicit or implicit
explicit directly states its controversial claim and supports it with reasons and evidence
implicit is opposite (pic, slogans, etc)
both used to persuade
Arguments requires justification of its claims
must meet two conditions
1. set of two+ conflicting assertions
2. attempt to resolve conflict through an appeal to reason
must clarify and support reasons
Argument and the Problem of Truth
does not mean finding “right answer” to disputed question
means determining “best answer” or “best solution” for the good of entire community when all stakeholders are considered
means argument does not “prove” claim but only makes reasonable case for claim
opinion based upon examination of all evidence
Every thesis prompts an opposing thesis (antithesis)
Conflict between these views leads to a new claim (synthesis)
Synthesis incorporates aspects of both views
Think of a creative way to illustrate/explain the relationship between thesis, antithesis, and synthesis
Using Evidence Effectively
Sufficiency
Typicality
Accuracy
Relevance
Sufficiency
The more contested a claim or the more an audience is skeptical, the more evidence is needed
Don’t make argument overly long and tedious with too much evidence
Word your claim so that audience supports it
Typicality
Evidence should be typical and representative rather than an extreme instance
Accuracy
Evidence can’t be used ethically unless it is accurate and up-to-date
Evidence can’t be persuasive unless the audience believes in the writer’s credibility (ethos)
Relevance
Argument: “I deserve an A because I worked exceptionally hard.”
Provides evidence of how hard he worked, but not why he deserves an A.
Data from
Personal experience Insufficient (hasty generalization), not typical, not
adequately scientific or verifiable
Observation/field research Flaws in how observations were conducted, showing
how data are insufficient, inaccurate, or nontypical
Interviews, questionnaires, surveys Raise doubts about research methodology,
questionnaire design, or typicality of interview subjects
Library or internet research Raise doubts about sufficiency, typicality, or relevance
Testimony Question credentials of source, show source’s bias, or
quotes a countersource
Statistical data Question methods, research design, interpretation of
data
Hypothetical examples, cases, & scenarios Show implausibility of scenario or offer an alternative
scenario
Reasoned sequence of ideas Point to different values or outline different
consequences
What personal experiences have you had with this issue? What details from your life or the lives of your friends, acquaintances, or relatives might serve as examples or other kinds of evidence?
What observational studies would be relevant to this issue?
What people could you interview to provide insights or expert knowledge on this issue?
What questions about your issue could be addressed in a survey or questionnaire?
What useful information on this issue might encyclopedias, specialized reference books, or the regular book collection in your university library provide?
What evidence might you seek on this issue using licensed database indexing sources for magazines, newspapers, and scholarly journals?
How might an Internet search engine help you research this issue?
What evidence might you find on this issue from reliable statistical resources such as US Census Bureau data, the Centers for Disease Control, or Statistical Abstract of the US?
Written discussion that draws on multiple sources
Must infer relationships among sources Before inferring relationships must be able to
summarize
Must go beyond summary to make judgments (critique)
Must be able to apply source information to topic (analyze)
Purpose is to persuade
Thesis is a claim about which reasonable people could disagree
Strategy is to find and use convincing support for your claim
A. Introduction
1. background information
2. thesis statement
B. Claim 1
1. argue
2. expert opinion
3. argue
4. expert opinion
5. argue
6. expert opinion
7. assumption
(Repeat for each claim)
D. Conclusion
A. Introduction 1. background information 2. According to popular media, the American Dream
means providing for family, striving for equality, and getting rich quick.
B. Cinderella Man – providing for family 1. looking for work at the docks 2. find scholarly source about employment 3. we don’t steal 4. find scholarly source about maintaining values 5. we are better off than most people 6. find scholarly source about financially raising a
family 7. These prove that according to the movie, the
American Dream means providing for family. (Repeat for each claim) D. Conclusion
4-5 pages
5 sources
Introduction
Organization
Conclusion
Grammar & Mechanics
Writing Process
In-text Citations
References Page
APA
Wednesday 4/23 – synthesis rough draft
Friday 4/25 - Grammar Portfolio #2
Monday 4/28 – synthesis final copy
APA – online
Critique mulligans Wed 4/16
Wednesday 4/23 – synthesis rough draft
Wednesday 4/23 - Grammar Portfolio #2
Monday 4/28 – synthesis final copy