Argument and Support

Argument and SupportApril 4th, 2012

The Purposes of Arguing

To win

To convince

To explore or reach a decision

To change yourself

Creating an Arguable Thesis It attempts to convince readers of something,

change their minds about something, or urge them to do something—or it explores a topic in order to make a wise decision (It has a purpose).

It addresses a problem for which no easily acceptable solution exists or asks a question to which no absolute answer exists.

It presents a position that readers might realistically have varying perspectives on.

Arguable or not?

English is the greatest field of study in academia.

Arguable or not?

English is the greatest field of study in academia. Arguable▪ People can have different opinions about this.▪ There is no absolute answer about what the

greatest field of study is.▪ Support can be provided that might convince

an audience to believe this claim.

Arguable or not?

Thousands of students study English each semester at Texas Tech.

Arguable or not?

Thousands of students study English each semester at Texas Tech. Not arguable▪ This is easily proven.▪ No one can realistically debate this.▪ There is no real purpose behind this claim

other than to inform.

Formulating a Working Thesis Section 9f in the St. Martin’s

handbook.

Do this for your topic. Begin with a claim/ arguable statement. Attach a reason. Consider the assumptions behind this

claim.

Types of appeals

Ethical

Logical

Emotional

Ethical Appeals

Makes the author or the argument seem more trustworthy Establishes credibility Indicates good moral character Shows the author’s goodwill

Franklin Templeton: “Global Perspective”

How to Establish Credibility in Your Argument If it is applicable, share your own

experience with a topic. Demonstrate that you have given the

topic a lot of thought. Demonstrate that you have thoroughly

researched the topic and have support for your claim.

Show fairness to counter arguments. Find some common ground with the

opposition.

Logical Appeals

Facts Statistics Reasoning Second hand evidence

Expert testimony Other trustworthy sources

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How to Make Logical Appeals in Your Argument Examples, Precedents, and Narratives.

These should allow the audience to make generalizations about the topic.

Narrative can also be used as ethical or emotional appeals.

Expert testimony Dr. Soandso says this, so I should probably do

it. These should be: current, qualified, and

respectable. Show cause and effect relationships

Using Inductive or Deductive Reasoning.

Deductive: Large idea -> Small idea. Mexican food gives me heartburn, therefore

these tamales will give me heartburn.

Inductive: Small ideas-> Big idea. I have gotten heartburn the last 10 times I’ve

eaten Mexican food, therefore Mexican food must give me heartburn.

Emotional Appeals

Intended to draw out emotions to help convince the audience Anger/ Outrage Sadness/ Sympathy Happiness/ Desire

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Using Emotional Appeals in Your Argument Description and concrete language

Show the struggle, severity, or details to draw out a reaction.

Figurative language Draw a parallel to another situation that

is more extreme. Target these toward your audience.

Parts of an Argument

Claim Reason (for making the claim)

Combine these to make a thesis. Assumptions

Connects the claim to the reason(s) Evidence

What supports your argument? Qualifiers

Are there exceptions that need to be made?

Elements of Argument

Fallacies

Either, or fallacies Either you are a republican or you are a

democrat. Non-Sequitur

If we can put a man on Mars, we can cure cancer.

Oversimplification If we outlaw smoking, nobody will

smoke.

See more in section 8f of the e-book.

Qualifiers

Qualifiers can help you be more accurate Avoid offending people If your argument is too absolute. Helps avoid fallacies.▪ Professors are pompous.▪ Offensive, not enough evidence, oversimplification

fallacy▪ Most professors are occasionally pompous.▪ Qualified, more easily argued, considers complexity

Using Sources

Provide background information on your topic.

Demonstrate your knowledge of the topic to readers.

Cite authority and testimony in support of your thesis.

Provide facts and/or stories that support your thesis.

Demonstrate fairness to opposing arguments.

Brief Assignment 7: Analysis of Logical Support and Underlying Assumptions in an Argument

You’ll be looking at the ways the author’s support reflects the his/her assumptions and how it fits in with the logic of the argument.

Things to write about:

What is the argument and purpose? Who is the audience? What kind of support is used? Why did the author choose to use

this kind of support? What does the support tell you the

assumptions are?

Finding the assumptions.

Because they endanger the lives of farmworkers, pesticides should be banned Workers have a right to a safe working

environment. Chemicals that make the workplace

unsafe deserve to be banned.

Finding the assumptions

Because off-shore drilling pollutes the ocean, legislation should be passed to police it. Polluting the ocean is bad and should be

stopped. Legislation is the best way to affect

industrial change.

Draft 2.1 Researched Argument Objective: To practice locating and evaluating sources and

then integrating those sources into a researched argument. Description: To complete this assignment, write an argument

using the strategies and structures described in your textbook and the handbook. The argument should have an identifiable thesis, lines of argument, logical support, ethical and emotional appeals (if applicable), and consideration of alternative views.

You should use 6 sources from the TTU library or library databases as specified by your instructor for this assignment. Your essay should be 1500 words in length, not including the list of works cited. Please use MLA format (see Ch. 16 of your handbook) for in-text citations and your list of works cited.

Organizing your argument Minimum 5 part structure

Introduction, body (three parts),conclusion.

The body of an Argument Main argument

Your claims and support. Objection

A counter argument that questions part or all of your argument.

Reply Your argument that the objection is not

valid or strong enough to refute your argument.

Thinking about your argument What claim should you make? What is the reason for this claim? What are the assumptions behind this claim? What is the best kind of evidence you should

use? Emotional, Ethical, Logical

Does the claim need to be qualified? out of respect to religious, political, or some other

reason To make the claim more precise?

Is your argument based on a fallacy? It shouldn’t be

Start with your thesis statement What do you want to argue? What is the reason for this

argument?

Start with your thesis and begin outlining what your argument will be, what the premises are, where you will put the counterargument.

Read the short essay on p. 386 What is her argument and purpose? Who is her audience? What kind of support does she use? How does this support help her

purpose? What is effective? What isn’t?

This is how you should approach BA7.

Assignment Change

Since we have discussed the article by Stephanie Coontz, you may not use it for BA7

Choose between the remaining two articles for your analysis.