Is an attempt to persuade someone of something, by giving reasons or

evidence for accepting a particular conclusion

One and only

oneOne or more

Is a statement in an argument that provides reason or support for the

conclusion. There can be one or many premises in a single argument.

Is a statement in an argument that indicates of what the arguer is trying

to convince the reader/listener. What is the argument trying to prove?

There can be only one conclusion in a single argument.

Cats with long hair shed all over the house so you should not get

a long-haired cat. I have heard that they also have lots of fleas.

P1: long-haired cats shed all over the

house

P2: long-haired cats have lots of fleas

C: You should not get a long-haired cat

• Your car needs a major overhaul, for the carburetor is shot.

• Given that euthanasia is a common medical practice, the

state legislatures ought to legalize it and set up some kind of

regulations to prevent abuse.

• Because euthanasia is murder, it is always morally wrong.

• We must engage in affirmative action, because America is still

a racist society.

• Since abortion is a hotly contested issue in this country,

nobody should force his opinion about it on anyone else.

• You need either a new transmission, or a new carburetor, or

an entirely new car; so you had better start saving your

pennies.

• Affirmative action violates the rights of white males to a fair

shake; hence it is unjust.

• It is always wrong to kill a human being, and a fetus is

undoubtedly a human being. It follows that abortion is always

wrong.

• A woman's right to control what happens to her body always

takes precedence over the rights of a fetus. Consequently,

abortion is always morally permissible.

• Euthanasia involves choosing to die rather than to struggle

on. Thus, euthanasia is a form of giving up, and it

is therefore cowardly and despicable.

EXERCISE

Military service

Alcohol

Marijuana

Pornography

Soap operas

ELEMENTS OF AN ARGUMENT

Álvaro Díaz Compelling elements:

- Point of view

- Foundation

- Guarantor

Optional elements:

- Conditioning conclusion

- Concession

- Refutation

COMPELLING ELEMENTSPoint of view or conclusion: it is the central idea of your argument.

What is the idea you are supporting?

What is that you want to persuade?

What is that you want to prove?

Foundation: (premises) the way in which you support your argument. So that the reader can trust you.

What is your motivation for thinking that way?

Which reasons support your ideas?

Which facts support your idea?

Which experiences illustrate your idea?

Guarantor: it is a principle accepted by society which supports the relationship between the point of view and the foundation.

What is the principle that supports the relationship between P and F ?

EXAMPLES 1

P: the thief must be someone we know

F: the dog did not bark

G: dogs are used to bark to unknown

people.

(Not necessary G because is a common

principle)

EXAMPLE II

P: the Atlético Junior manager should quit. F: 8 out of 10 games have been lost. G: The goal of a manager (coach) is winning as much matches as possible.

P: Mr. X cannot be punished for being homosexual. F: homosexuality is not a “crime” stipulated in the constitutional law. G: For a person to be punished (jail) there are specific “rules” to be followed.

OPTIONAL ELEMENTS

Conditioning conclusion: it is important to delimit our conclusion.

EX: Marijuana should be legal for medical purposes.

Concession: acknowledge the opponents of our conclusion.

EX: most of the people believe that AIDS is a biblical punishment.

Refutation: support, with arguments to go against the concession.

Ex: Those who think that way, have an irracional fear based upon myths, notvalid for a modern society.

THANKS

Shared by Professor Chilito

Edited by Professor Garcia

Seeing that cats, with long hair, shed all over the house and that

they have got lots of fleas, I conclude that you should not get a

long-haired cat.

1. Fairdale will win the championship. They have the best team.

2. The housing market is depressed and interest rates are low, it's

a good time to buy a home.

3. China is guilty of extreme human rights abuses. Further, they

refuse to implement democratic reforms. The U.S. should refuse

to deal with the present Chinese government.

4. The revocation of the 55 mph speed limit has resulted in an

increased number of auto fatalities. We must alleviate this

problem with stricter speed limit enforcement.

5. We may infer that the U. S. military is both capable and

competent from the results of the Persian Gulf War.

6. Scientific discoveries are continually debunking religious

myths. Further, science provides the only hope for solving the

many problems faced by humankind. Hence, science provides a

more accurate view of human life than does religion.

7. Jesse is one year old. Most one-year-olds can walk. It follows

that Jesse can walk.

8. I deserve a raise. I'm very good at my job.