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Argument

Argument. “Everything’s an Argument”. Argument.

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Argument

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  1. Argument “Everything’s an Argument”

  2. 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.

  3. What’s a Claim? • 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.

  4. Claim or not? • SUV owners should be required to pay an energy surcharge. • Charter schools are an alternative to public schools. • Ronald Reagan was the most charismatic president of the 20th century. • The terms global warming and climate change describe different perspectives on this complex issue. • Requiring students to wear uniforms improves school spirit. • Students graduating from college today can expect to have more debt than any previous generation.

  5. We argue about 3 Basic Categories: • 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.

  6. Arguments of Fact • (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.

  7. Arguments of Values • 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.

  8. Argument 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.

  9. Argument of Policy • 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).

  10. Keep in mind… • 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.

  11. Why do we argue? • We argue for 4 major reasons: • To assert • To prevail • To inquire • To negotiate differences • “Felons and the Right to Vote” NYTimes

  12. We use 3 Basic Appeals • 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.

  13. The Premises of Argument-that which can divide us • Political • Legal • Historical • Values: ethical/moral/religious • Scientific • Psychological • Economic • Pragmatic • Post Modern • Sociological

  14. The Premises of Argument- • 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.”

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