Argument

Today's Scripture

• Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Review

• What is the best way to reach Professor Petty?
• How do you set up an appointment during office hours?
• Where can I get extra help with writing my essays?
• What is the policy for being late to class?
• If I have an excused absence, when is my missed worked due?

DEFINITION OF ARGUMENT

• states a position or claim and using evidence to support it in ways that are interesting, thoughtful, and sometimes humorous
• effective argument clearly articulates a position or stance and uses evidence from ample credible sources, such as peer-reviewed articles and evaluated Internet sources

One

• does not have to agree with an argument presented in order to find it valid and compelling
• disagree with an argument and still consider it cogent, credible, and amply supported

Arguments do not always include:

• fighting or bickering
• a person expressing a contrary point of view to end a fight/quarrel
• a debate (because it does not always end with a clear winner or loser)

Arguments actually includes...

• an exchange of ideas between those with opposing views about a topic
• expressing a point of view with a serious and clear objective to persuade an audience

Examples

• a reading group in which individuals read a novel and exchange their ideas about the theme, characters, plot, etc., in ways that share differing opinions without quarreling

Examples

• An opponent of organ sales who argues, “It just isn’t right,” or “I don’t want to live in a world where people sell their organs” is not particularly persuasive; however, a person who argues that organ sales are unethical because they exploit the poor can be persuasive.

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Argument Clinic Video

• What did you learn about argument?
• What is the difference between argument and fighting or quarreling?

Overt Argument

• attempts to persuade the audience of a point of view
• obvious and direct and supports its claim with evidence and reasons

Examples

• Includes position papers a student might write for a course, closing arguments made by attorneys, scholarly publications, and op-ed pieces in newspapers
• Thesis statements for essays that define a term, present the causes and effects of a phenomenon, and propose solutions to a problem often are overt arguments

Implied Argument

• on the surface or at first glance, they do not appear to be arguments
• purpose may seem simply to entertain or inform without bias
• do seek to persuade audiences

Visual arguments often qualify as implied arguments.

Examples
include bumper stickers, photos, political cartoons, ads, song lyrics, and even text printed on clothing.

Evidence for Claims

• In order to be effective and convince an audience of the author’s point of view, arguments need evidence

Example
Consider the following scenario between a 12-year-old child and his mother.
Child: May I have $100?
Mother: Why do you need $100?
Child: Just because.
Mother: No.

does not qualify as an argument
the child does not present evidence for his claim (needing $100), which is why his audience was not receptive to or convinced of his argument.

Correct Scenario

Child: May I have $100?
Mother: Why do you need $100?
Child: I need $25 for my soccer camp registration fee, $50 for sneakers, and $25 for my uniform.
Mother: OK, you may have $100.

Not in-depth or analytical, it still qualifies as argument because it contains those two elements: claim and evidence

Can include everyday issues that affect only one or two individuals, such as the scenarios provided

Process Not Just Product

• Oral arguments can be formal or informal, lengthy or brief, and the same is true of written arguments

Examples

• blogs, chat-room discussions devoted to controversial issues, and course discussion forums
• does not always end with the initial piece or product but can spark conversations that can last for days or weeks

Seeks to Persuade and Provide Truth about Issue

• approach or objective of the author often changes when the audience changes

For example, a text written about abortion for an audience primarily of those who support pro-life would contain a different focus than an article about the same topic for those who support pro-choice.

The writer would focus primarily on convincing the audience to change their
minds and would anticipate their questions while providing evidence that would most likely persuade them

Truth or Persuasion: Which Is Most Important?

• Focuses solely on persuading an audience of his or her point of view and not on providing the truth about an issue, he or she runs the risk of writing propaganda

Truth or Persuasion: Which Is Most Important?

• writing an explanatory piece that provides information, but does not explain how that information supports his or her claims
• runs the risk of failing to achieve his or her goal of persuading an audience to support his or her point of view

Invention for Arguments

• Prewriting strategies exist, including listing, freewriting, and mapping
• help writers narrow their topics and even create a working thesis statement

Listing

• refers to making a list of ideas for various stages of the writing process

Free-Writing

• chooses a specific amount of time, pg length, or word count to write about his or her topic
• looping- take a sentence from a piece of that stands out to the reader, rewrite that sentence, reread it, and then write again based on that sentence
• writes without paying attention to grammar/style concerns

Mapping

• this would include lists or bubbles
• easy way to brainstorm thoughts organically without worrying about order and structure
• allows you to visually structure your ideas to help with analysis and recall

Practice Brainstorming

• Should drug tests be required in order to receive financial aid?
• Should student athletes be paid?
• Should schools require students to participate in community service?