LET’S DANCE BY EVA ARCE WRITING ARGUMENTS. Metaphors We Live By George Lakoff and Mark Johnson...

LET’S DANCEBY

EVA ARCE

WRITING ARGUMENTS

Metaphors We Live ByGeorge Lakoff and Mark Johnson

• argument as war• The assertion in their

book is that metaphors sway our thoughts and actions.

• So, traditionally, we think of writing an argument essay as a fight.

Example

If we have a verbal battle: • We see anyone who does not agree with our point

as an opponent or enemy.• Then we attack their claims and defend our own.• We demolish or shoot down their weak points.• We target their indefensible claims. • We counter-attack their argument.

(Our discussions are at times brutal, cruel, and vicious!)

Let’s DANCE: a Workout for Persuasion

CHOOSE A CONTROVERSIAL TOPIC

FACT OPINION• Most people in Mexico speak Spanish. All people should be able

to speak one universal language.

• Books are available on IPADs, Nooks, Digital Media (IPADs, Kindles, or other E-Readers. Nooks, Kindles, or other E-Readers) are preferable to print media.

• Undocumented immigrants work in Some undocumented in the U.S.A. immigrants must be allowed to work in the U.S.A.

Choosing a Topic

• High interest• Other people’s views on the topic• One aspect of a larger issue (narrow the topic)• Purpose

INTRODUCTION

Set the StageConsider the audience

Identify the situation or issueDefine key terms

Establish parametersTake the lead; establish a position

Take a position • Prompt: Defend, challenge, or qualify the concept that cell phones should be allowed in the classroom.

• Defend: stand for the issue Cell phones should be allowed

in the classroom.• Challenge: stand against the issue Cell phones should not be

allowed in the classroom. • Qualify: show the complexity of the

issue; stand for or against the issue under certain conditions.

With a teacher’s supervision, students could use their cell phones to enhance learning in a classroom.

Engage the audience with appeals

EthosPathosLogos

Choose your choreography: Gather and Evaluate Evidence

• Hip-hop with Current Events

• Foxtrot with Historical Facts

• Waltz with Literature• Swing with Personal

Experience

EVALUATE the EVIDENCE

• RELEVANT: Supports the thesis; supports the claims.

• REPRESENTATIVE: Presents examples from a variety of sources.

• SUFFICIENT: Presents enough convincing examples to support the thesis.

Missteps: Le Faux Pas

•Vague evidence•Lack of evidence•False evidence

LOGICAL FALLACIES

MORE MISSTEPS

Ad hominem(against the man)

Mr. Smith and his student are discussing the issue of doing homework.

Mr. Smith: Students must do their homework.Student: You have to say that because you’re the teacher.Mr. Smith: But I gave you ample reasons with statistics to

show how doing homework leads to student success.Student: Yeah, well, as an educator in this school district

you have to say that to keep your job, and besides, you’re just a high school teacher. College professors aren’t going to care if I do my homework.

Appeal to Inappropriate Authority

Tex and his Aunt Sarah are discussing the death penaltyTex: The death penalty is cruel and inhumane because

victims suffer excruciating mental and physical pain. Aunt Sarah: No, it’s not. Governor Rick Perry is all for the

death penalty in Texas.Tex: He’s a politician. Look at what the medical experts

are saying.Aunt Sarah: Well, Rick Perry has been Governor of this

great state for twelve years.

Begging the Question

Bob: Ms. Jones is the best teacher at this high school.

Sue: Why is that?

Bob: Because she teaches well.

False Dilemma (either/or reasoning; forces audience to see a complex issue in only two choices)

Sam: Either you sing The Star Spangled Banner at the football game or you are not a patriot.

Bill: I don’t know the words.Sam: Then you’re not a true American.

Hasty generalization

American tourist: Monsieur, let me have an ice tea.French waiter: We do not have ice tea. We only have hot

tea.Tourist: Do you have ice? Waiter: Yes.Tourist: Then bring me some hot tea and a glass of ice. I’ll

make my own.Waiter leaves the table and tells his fellow workers: Why do

Americans go to other countries if they are such arrogant fools that they demand we serve them as though this were still in America?

Non Sequitur

I only speak English, and I’m having a hard time learning French. Therefore, I’ll have to drop the class and take Spanish.

Post hoc, ergo propter hoc(false cause and effect)

I overeat because I watch television in the evenings.

Red Herring/Distract the readeran allusion to fox hunting

The media accused my candidate of not working with members of the opposite party in congress, but I can assure you that he introduced a bill for school reform that was very popular with citizens in his home state.

Straw Man(misrepresent the other’s statement)

Meg: Wow, Juan sounds sexy on his saxophone.

Paul: Oh, so you’re saying I’m not as attractive as Juan.

Finesse your Style.

•Take the lead•Critique on point•Defend gracefully and fluidly•Watch your step and don’t make any dirty moves (check for logical fallacies)

Establish the tone based on the evidence

• Formal• Informal• Humorous• Foreboding• Enthusiastic• Didactic• Outraged• Sarcastic

$ SEE- ITT

To Develop and Organize the Grounds for Your Claims, Use this Mnemonic Device for Issues

$SEE- ITT$MONEYFUNDINGJOBSCOSTS

$SEE- ITTSafety Health

$SEE- ITTEnvironment •natural •political•social

$SEE- ITTETHICS BeliefsValuesmoralsMoral judgmentMoral rulesEthical systemCode of ethics

$SEE- ITT

International Impact

$SEE- ITT

Technology

$SEE-ITT

TIME

Concession and Rebuttal(Yes, but…)

•Concede and Acknowledge the strongest position for the opposition

•Rebuttal or Refutation

Bow to the other performer but maintain your lead

Rehearsal for the Concession and Rebuttal

• Who would argue against my position?• Which of their beliefs, values, or morals must I address?• What would they say against my position on this topic? • With which of their points do I agree?• How can I logically counter that point?• How can I limit the effect of that point? Only under what

condition is that point valid?• What emotional anecdote can I use to counter that point?• Can I develop an analogy that would effectively counter

that point?

Rebuttal or Refutation

• Anticipate opposing claims• Disprove those claims through one or all of

the following:

Appeal to audience’s reasonAppeal to audience’s ethicsAppeal to audience’s emotions

The Grand Finale

• Restate your position• Present a thematic statement • (SO What? Why should your audience care?)

Go To Documents

• Argument Triangle • Argument Essay: Let’s Dance

• Argument Essay: The Declaration of

Independence