Writing Arguments

Chapter 1

Argument

• Argument has a negative connotation.– “Argument doesn’t imply anger” (2)

• It is not a pro-con debate– The goal isn’t to win but to support a claim– It is about promoting the best solution to

problems

• Argument can be explicit (directly states the claim and shows support) or implicit (doesn’t appear like an argument)– Examples of explicit and implicit arguments?

• “You cannot use argument to ‘prove’ your claim, but only to make a reasonable case for your claim” (15).

• Example: Tupac “Changes”

• “Give the crack to the kids who the hell cares? One less hungry mouth on the welfare. First ship 'em dope & let 'em deal to brothers. Give 'em guns, step back, and watch 'em kill each other. “It's time to fight back", that's what Huey said.2 shots in the dark now Huey's dead. I got love for my brother, but we can never go nowhere unless we share with each other. We gotta start makin' changes. Learn to see me as a brother 'stead of 2 distant strangers.

Argument

• An argument consists of two parts:– A claim: states the topic and position• It expresses a point of view on a debatable topic

– Support (reason): support for the claim (in form of facts, logical reason)

Argument

• An effective argument relies on the three rhetorical appeals– Logos: use of reason/logic (statistics)– Ethos: credibility (how reliable are you as a writer;

how reliable are your sources)– Pathos: emotion

What rhetorical appeals are being used here?

Argument

• Take a few minutes to define “argument” in your own words.

• What does argument mean?