1. Arguments What are we talking about?

2. What do we mean? • An argument is not a fight or a quarrel. • It can be a pleasurable experience • It is not a debate • Think of it as a group of reasonable persons seeking the best solution to a problem

3. Implicit or Explicit • Argument can be implicit or explicit • An explicit argument states directly controversial claims and supports them with reason and evidence • An implicit argument doesn’t look like an argument • It might be a song, poem, story, etc.

4. Features of an argument • An argument requires a justification of claims • It is not sufficient to simply give reasons without justification • An argument is both a process and a product • It is a “living” entity that changes the participants • An argument combines truth seeking and persuasion • This is a continuum that we the participants must balance

5. What is the purpose? • The blend of truth seeking and persuasion asks the question, what are we trying to do? • Are we trying to get the best solution? • Or “win” the argument?

6. Class activity • Activity 1 • Mosh pit brain damage • Activity 2 • Homeless ban • Both on page 14 of Writing Arguments