Chapter 1: Foundations of arguments

1. Chapter 1: Foundations of arguments

2. Foundations of arguments • This chapter will cover: • The structure of an argument • The three part of an argument: • Issues • Conclusions • Reasons • An approach to making decisions

3. Foundations of arguments • Metaphors for argument: • Your claims are indefensible. • I demolished his argument. • You disagree? Okay, shoot!

4. Foundations of argument • “Argument” • Referring to a conclusion (claim); • Supported by reasons (premises); • About a particular issue (question or controversy)

5. The issue • What we are arguing about • Make it a question: • Should the minimum wage be raised? • Should energy drinks be regulated? • Should hip-hop music be banned? • Should John stop dropping F-bombs in class?

6. Riddle • When is an issue not an issue? • When it is a Topic: • Topics are ideas or subjects • Topics become issues when a question or controversy in introduced.

7. issues

8. The issue • Topic • Issue (question) • Reasons (premises) • Conclusion/claim

9. The issue • Issue detection: • Ask a question, or • Use the following statement: “The issue is whether… there is too much violence on TV.” “The issue is whether… there is not enough governmental oversight for food production.”

10. Skill • Understand the issue, make sure everyone is discussing the same issue, and bring the discussion back on target when necessary. This is where precise definitions or parameters can be helpful.

11. Kinds of issues • 3 kinds of issues: • Value issue – prescriptive (good or bad/right or wrong) • Factual issue – descriptive or definitional (true or false) • Policy issue – action (specific actions)

12. Factual issue

13. Value issue

14. Policy issue • Action • Policy Issues involve an action step: • May emerge from facts and values • Smog-control devices prevent pollution • Clean air should be available to everyone • Support policies for these devices.

15. Name that issue • Quiz; or, how I make sure you’re paying attention: • Is there too much violence on television? • Are seatbelts effective in preventing injury? • Is a dolphin a mammal? • Will instilling smog control devices prevent pollution?

16. Conclusion • Also called position, claim • The stand you take on the issue • The position taken about an issue • The thesis statement will express the conclusion of the author.

17. conclusion • Locate conclusions in an argument: • Position of the writer or speaker • Look at the beginning or the ending • Indicator words: therefore, so, thus, hence. • Indicator phrases: My point is, What I believe is…, Obviously, it is evident that… • Ask: “What is being claimed?” • Look at the title

18. reasons • Premises, evidence, support, justification • Provide support for conclusions • Without reasons, you have no argument

19. reasons • Locate reasons in an argument: • Apply the because trick. • Indicator words: because, for, first, second, third, as evidenced by, also, furthermore, in addition. • Support material: examples, statistics, analogies, reports of studies, and expert testimony.

20. Making decisions • Decision-making model • Define dilemma by asking a question • Look at long term objectives • Determine most important factors • Weigh factors against choices • Choose highest scoring alternative