Elements of an Argument

1. Elements of an Argument

2. Rhetorical Triangle pathos ethos audience speaker message logos

3. The Appeals • pathos – emotional appeal; stirs strong feelings within the audience • logos – logical appeal; constructs a message of a well-reasoned argument • ethos – ethical appeal; establishes credibility and authority of speaker

4. How do I identify pathos? • Connotative diction • Diction • Imagery • Figurative language (metaphor, personification, hyperbole, etc. ) • Carefully-crafted syntax (sentence structure) • Personal anecdotes (experiences or stories)

5. How do I identify logos? • Facts • Statistics • Research • Referring to experts • Cause & effect

6. How do I identify ethos? • Stating qualifications for expertise • Using first person plural pronouns (“we”) • Citing relevant authorities • Citing relevant allusions

7. Think About it We are writing an argumentative essay for science class. We are analyzing the facts and information to choose a side, then defending our stance on the topic. Pathos and Ethos are important parts of a writing piece, but the facts and evidence are the most important part of a scientific argument.

8. More parts to the construction of an argument…

9. Claim – debatable controversial statement the speaker or writer intends to prove with evidence • Qualifier – puts limits on a claim (usually, sometimes, in most cases, etc.) • Commentary (Supporting Sentence) – connecting the evidence to the claim (How does evidence support claim?) • Evidence – support for writer’s claim (examples, anecdotes, facts, statistics, research, etc.) • Counter claim – respectful acknowledgement of opposing viewpoint

10. Hook – the beginning of an argumentative essay meant to capture the reader’s attention (quote, profound statement, imagery, etc.) • Thesis – a sentence that expresses the writer’s position on a certain topic • Transitions – words or phrases used to transition through the essay (therefore, finally, etc…) • Sources – used to support your claims (cited in the text and in the resources)

11. Constructing an Argument

12. 1. Introduction a. Hook b. Claim c. Thesis (topic sentence) 2. Body Paragraph 1 a. Topic Sentence b. Evidence c. Commentary- Supporting Sentence • Body Paragraph 2 a. Topic Sentence b. Evidence c. Commentary- Supporting Sentence 4. Body Paragraph 3 a. Topic Sentence b. Evidence c. Commentary- Supporting Sentence 5. Conclusion a. Counter claim – (slight CONCESSION) b. Restate the thesis statement (topic sentence)

13. What part of an argumentative essay is used to catch the audiences attention? • Thesis Statement • Hook • Commentary • Supporting Details

14. Where should the counter claim be located in your essay? • 1 or two sentences included in a body paragraph • As a stand alone body paragraph • 1 or 2 sentences included in the conclusion • All of the above

15. What part of an argumentative essay let the audience know what side you support? • Transitions • Hook • Claim • Supporting Details

16. What are the three aspects of a rhetorical triangle? • Ethos, Logos, Pathos • Ethos, Logos, Potato • Ethics, Logical, Patience • None of the above

17. All three parts of the rhetorical triangle are important, but which part is most important and applies most to the argument piece. • Ethos • Logos • Pathos • None of the above

18. Introductory Paragraph School Uniforms – Should public schools require school uniforms? Include the following: Hook Claim Thesis statement w/ 3 reason