Argumentation

1. Argumentation The process of reasoning that asserts the soundness of a debatable position, belief or conclusion.

2. Argumentation • Argumentation takes a stand – supported by evidence – and urges people to share the writer’s perspective and insights.

3. Argumentation vs. Persuasion • Persuasion and argumentation do not mean the same thing – Persuasion is a general term that refers to how a writer influences an audience to adopt a belief or follow a course of action. To persuade an audience, a writer relies on various kinds of appeals – emotion (pathos), logic (logos) and character reputation (ethos).

4. Argumentation vs. Persuasion • Argumentation is the appeal to reason. In an argument, a writer connects a series of statements so that they lead logically to a conclusion. Argumentation is different from persuasion in that it does not try to move an audience to action; its primary purpose is to demonstrate that certain ideas are valid and others are not.

5. Argumentation vs. Persuasion • Moreover, unlike persuasion, argumentation has a formal structure: an argument makes points, supplies evidence, establishes a logical chain of reasoning, refutes opposing arguments, and accommodates the audience’s views.

6. Using Toulmin Logic • Stephen Toulmin has developed the following approach for advancing arguments (known as Toulmin logic). • He puts forth a model that divides arguments into three parts: the claim, the grounds, and the warrant.

7. The Claim • The claim is the main point of the essay. Usually the claim is stated as the thesis, but in some arguments it may be implied.

8. The Grounds • The grounds (evidence) is the material a writer uses to support a claim (facts or expert opinion or appeals to the emotions or values of an audience).

9. The Warrant • The warrant is the inference that connects the claim to the grounds. It can be a belief that is taken for granted or an assumption that underlies the argument.

10. Example • Claim: Carol should be elected class president. • Grounds: Carol is an honor student. • Warrant: A person who is an honor student would make a good class president.

11. Example Purpose Statements from “The Word Lab” • Nicholas Lemann explores the implications of the use of word labs in the political process, in order to educate his audience about how they are being swayed. • Nicholas Lemann expects that the argument he presents will show people the power behind diction choice and the major impact it has on the perception of a specific topic.

12. Example claim statement from“The Word Lab” • Word labs negatively impact the political process by reinforcing what the audience wants to hear rather than initiating any true reform.

13. Examples of Warrant Statement from “The Word Lab” • The purpose of our political process is to elect officials who will represent our needs and interests. • The government should do what is best for the country.