ESL015 Argument / Argumentation Ellen Chuang David Favre Bailu Liu Rose Zhang

1. ESL015 Argument / Argumentation Ellen Chuang David Favre Bailu Liu Rose Zhang

2. Monty Python's Flying Circus (British TV show - 1970s) Argument Clinic What is an argument? What people sometimes confuse with an argument? Why do you think the customer wanted to have an argument? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUIA40uLlKw&feature=share

3. An argument is: "An argument is a connected series of statements to establish a definite proposition." (Customer) "Look, if I argue with you, I must take up a contrary position." (Man in second room, Mr. Barnard) "Argument is an intellectual process." (Customer) An argument isn't: "Mr. DeBakey's free, but he's a little bit conciliatory." (Secretary) "OH, oh I'm sorry, but this is abuse. (Man in first room) "Oh ... this isn't an argument." ... "It's just contradiction" (Customer) Why did the customer want to have a good argument?

4. Today, we practiced argument and refutation. Argumentative Essay Writing - Full Process

5. Argumentative Essay Definition Tips How to write it Definition: In this kind of essay, we not only give information but also present an argument with the PROS (supporting ideas) and CONS (opposing ideas) of an argumentative issue. We should clearly take our stand and write as if we are trying to persuade an opposing audience to adopt new beliefs or behavior. The primary objective is to persuade people to change beliefs that many of them do not want to change.

6. ● Find a good topic ●Consider both sides of your topic and take a position ●Gather evidence Planning Stage ●Introduce your topic and assert your side ●Present both sides of the controversy Writing Stage ● Possible patterns How to write an argumentative essay?

7. Choosing an argumentative topic. The topic should be such that…… It should be narrowed down X Marijuana should be considered illegal. √ Selling and using marijuana in public places should be considered illegal. It should contain an argument X We should decide whether we want a bicycle or a car. √ If we are under the age of 30 and want a healthy life, we should definitely get a bicycle instead of a car. It should be a topic that can be adequately supported (with statistics, outside source citations, etc.) X I feel that writing an argumentative essay is definitely a challenging task.

8. Pattern 1: Thesis statement: PRO idea 1 PRO idea 2 CON(s) + Refutation(s) Conclusion Pattern 2: Thesis statement: CON(s) + Refutation(s) PRO idea 1 PRO idea 2 Conclusion Pattern 3: Thesis statement: CON idea 1 ----->Refutation CON idea 2 ----->Refutation CON idea 3 ----->Refutation Conclusion

9. Tips for Your Essay: ●Don't make up evidence. ●Cite your sources. ●Make an outline. ●Be prepared to defend your side by knowing the strongest arguments for the other side. You might be challenged by the teacher or by another student.

10. Pros & Cons

11. Parents should give their children cell phones.

12. Supporting your argument • One paragraph, one idea • Express yourjudgment, not your opinion. • Steps: 1. Explain or describe the argument 2. Provide reasons / evidence 3. Brief Conclusion

13. Parents should give their children cell phones. Pro: Parents can stay in contact with their children. It’s natural for parents to worry about their children when they’re not in contact with them. Every year in United States, there are 797,500 children are reported missing (The U.S. Department of Justice ,2002). Many of these children are abducted. Children who have cell phones are more easily able to be tracked. Police can ask cell phone companies to pinpoint their locations. Addition- ally, … Furthmore……. Thus, cell phones are a vital way for parents to stay in contact with their children.

14. Parents should give their children cell phones. Pro: Parents can stay in contact with their children. It’s natural for parents to worry about their children when they’re not in contact with them. Every year in United States, there are 797,500 children are reported missing (The U.S. Department of Justice ,2002). Many of these children are abducted. Children who have cell phones are more easily able to be tracked. Police can ask cell phone companies to pinpoint their locations. Addition- ally, … Furthmore……. Thus, cell phones are a vital way for parents to stay in contact with their children.

15. Refutation of Counter Argument • Introduce counter argument • Evaluate its strength/weakness • Refute • (using evidence)

16. Parents should give their children cell phones? Con: The phones would distract children from their study. Some people say that children will be distracted from studying by cell- phones. Many teachers have reported that young students kept texting each other during class, and they did not pay attention to the lecture. This might be true in some situations. However, according to the result of Project K-Nect(a project run by Wireless Reach in N. Carolina in 2007 aiming to see if smart phones could facilitate high school students learning algebra), cell phones have been shown very useful to assist teaching and learning in class. With well-designed course projects that incorporate the features of cell phones, they will be great helpers rather than just distractions.

17. Parents should give their children cell phones? Con: The phones would distract children from their study. Some people say that children will be distracted from studying by cell- phones. Many teachers have reported that young students kept texting each other during class, and they did not pay attention to the lecture. This might be true in some situations. However, according to the result of Project K-Nect(a project run by Wireless Reach in N. Carolina in 2007 aiming to see if smart phones could facilitate high school students learning algebra), cell phones have been shown very useful to assist teaching and learning in class. With well-designed course projects that incorporate the features of cell phones, they will be great helpers rather than just distractions.