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Structuring An Argument

Structuring An Argument. Argument Seeks to discover a truth Seeks conviction Seeks to get audience to agree with us More about finding the best strategy to present ideas. Persuasion Seeks to know a truth Seeks to change opinion using reason and other rhetorical strategies

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Structuring An Argument

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  1. Structuring An Argument

  2. Argument Seeks to discover a truth Seeks conviction Seeks to get audience to agree with us More about finding the best strategy to present ideas Persuasion Seeks to know a truth Seeks to change opinion using reason and other rhetorical strategies Propaganda and advertising: abandons all reason, truth, fairness Is it Argument or is it Persuasion?

  3. Strategies Inductive Reasoning Deductive Reasoning Toulmin Argument

  4. Inductive Reasoning (formal) • Inductive reasoning: makes a generalization, writer offers enough evidence until he can draw a logical conclusion from the evidence. Not always a smoking gun, so must close the gap between the evidence presented and the conclusion • Present evidence that will lead to a conclusion: Court of law; criminal investigation

  5. Take a moment: • Examine your thesis • Spanking as a form of discipline does not help a child change behavior. • Try to write your thesis in an inductive manner: a sentence that evidence must prove.

  6. Deductive Reasoning (formal) • Deductive reasoning: predicated on moral or principle commonly held by both the writer and his audience: something that you both agree on: All children disserve to grow up loved • Establishes common ground with reader

  7. Take a Moment: • Examine your thesis • What value or principle will you and your audience share? • Children shouldn’t be abused • Try to write a deductive thesis

  8. Toulmin? • British philosopher • Wanted to look for a method that actually represents the way people make the most effective and reasonable argument. • Allows writer to use qualifiers • Not air tight in reasoning as inductive reasoning and deductive

  9. Faults with Toulmin • Not air tight • Not formal • Not as structured But Develops good critical thinking skills Allows to use qualifiers: often, presumably, unless, almost, some, generally

  10. Toulimin’s model had 3 elements: • Claim:equivalent of the conclusion or whatever the writer wants to prove: your thesis • Data: evidence, reasoning, logic that writer uses to support the claim--your research • Warrant: a general statement that establishes a trustworthy relationship between the data and claim

  11. New Language • Claim: statement or assertion writer hopes to prove • Controversial and debatable statement • Argument depends on conditions set by others--your audience

  12. Examples of simple, underdeveloped claims • The electoral college has outlived its usefulness • It’s time to lower the drinking age. • Vegetarianism is the best choice of diet

  13. A claim cannot stand alone: Where to begin? • Needs data and reasons • So draw up a list of reasons to support the claim • And find evidence (research) that support your reasons • You will discover more claims in need of support: the argument begins to take shape

  14. How to come up with reasons • Search your personal experience • Anecdotes (from personal life or friends) • Facts: research • Authorities: research

  15. Using the Enthymeme: adding “because” (the reason) • Combine your claim with your reason: • The Electoral College has outlived its usefulness because it gives undue power to small and mid-sized states in presidential elections

  16. Always be aware of your audience • While you are structuring your argument you are thinking about being reasonable and logical, your reader will be reading your essay with a critical eye, questioning your logic

  17. Next step: The Warrant Logical and persuasive connection between claim and its reasons and the data that supports the claim This is the warrant: the connection between the claim, reasons, and data Warrant answers the question How do I get from the claim to the data You can precede in an argument with a sound warrant

  18. The Claim • Must be worth arguing • Must be debatable • Rely on using logic or evidence • Difficult to sometimes to get a strong claim • A good claim answers “So what’s your point?” • Does your working thesis fit these qualities?

  19. Take a Moment • Examine your thesis • What is your claim: Spanking is not an effective method of discipline for children • Data: evidence that you will gather to prove the claim • Warrant: the conclusion that you draw from the evidence you present: Spanking demoralizes children, often leads to abuse, and does not provide strategies for behavior modification

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