+ Complex Claims & Counterarguments

+ Why Argue? Much of academic learning is based on arguments that are supported by evidence analyzed through critical thinking. Critical thinking is the term for reasoning that is the basis for supporting the claims made in an argument. Without specific evidence, an argument has no merit. Thus, those people who have mastered the art of critical thinking are the most successful in having their arguments heeded because they can explain why the evidence proves that their case is more valid than the opposing case. a. For example, good voters listen to the candidates who most successfully prove their platforms. b. Candidates who evade questions or can’t provide evidence to support their positions should not be elected (although they unfortunately are). c. Candidates who can’t critically think through an issue will not be successful in government positions since much of that work is argumentative. d. Outside of government, all professionals (and non-professionals, for that matter) must be able to argue successfully through both speaking and writing to make sure that their positions are heard, supported, and carried through. If people cannot argue their positions, then they will not be successful in getting a loan, having a law passed, electing the preferred candidate, avoiding legal action, saving a marriage, raising children, running a business, etc. All of those situations—and millions more—require that people be able to take a stand, provide evidence for that stand, and argue how that evidence makes the stand the best choice.

+ Academic vs Non-Academic Claims A claim persuades, argues, convinces, proves, or provocatively suggests something to a reader who may or may not initially agree with you. What most non-academics mean by argument is usually a polar opposition or heated debate: I win/you lose; you’re a Democrat/I’m a Republican; I’m for the death penalty/you’re a bleeding-heart liberal against the death penalty; I’m pro- choice/you’re against choice. Though academic arguments can be just as heated and draw on political, social, cultural, or personal positions and experiences, academic claims are different—often more complex, nuanced, specific, and detailed. Most academic argument is bounded by what is considered debatable or up for inquiry within a discipline, acknowledging that some questions are already settled (though that too may end up being debatable). The “rules ‟ of academic argument exclude the following as support: Because it is my personal opinion Because my friends or relatives think so or most people think so Because it’s always been, it’s tradition Because it’s obvious Because its morally right

+ Complex Claims: Before You Get Started Pick a controversial topic that is debatable, has no easily identifiable solution and that has something significant at stake. Ask a question: EX: What’s the best solution for the Israel-Palestine conflict?; How has the media’s portrayal of the Israel-Palestine conflict changed over time?; Should the US go to war with ISIS?; Is Beyonce a good spokeswoman for Modern Feminism?; What’s the most effective way to deal with grief?; Why is congress’s approval rating so low?; Is technology ruining our social skills?; What role did the media play in the Mike Brown case? Remember that the issue must be one that has at least two sides. You can't argue on a topic against which there are no arguments. For example, you can't argue that spousal abuse is an acceptable form of marital relationships. You can't argue that the United States is a part of the western hemisphere.

+ Complex Claims: Before You Get Started Research the issue Motivate your reading with a question or series of questions Read sources from various angles and sides of the issue; Always evaluate your sources, be a critical reader If you already have a position before you research, be critical of your position and familiarize yourself with arguments against your claim EX: ask yourself why it is you believe that the Occupy Wall Street movement is ineffective.

+ Complex Claims: Getting Started Develop a WORKING THESIS Let’s say your topic is the Affordable Health Care Act Your working thesis might be something like: the Affordable Health Care Act is ineffective Then, compose a series of questions based on this working thesis Why is the Affordable Health Care Act ineffective? How can it be more effective? Should it be abandoned? What is a better solution to the Health Care crisis? Maybe even: Why is there a Health Care crisis? Who is interested in my argument? To who does this issue matter?

+ Complex Claim As you research, develop your working thesis into a COMPLEX CLAIM A COMPLEX CLAIM is a clear thesis that makes a limited argument backed by evidence. MYTHS ABOUT CLAIMS It includes the BIG FIVE: A claim/argument/thesis Evidence Stakes Concession/counterargument Roadmap

+ 1. A Claim A good thesis will make a claim. This doesn't mean that you have to reduce an idea to an "either/or" proposition and then take a stand. Rather, you need to develop an interesting perspective that you can support and defend. This perspective must be more than an observation. "America is violent" is an observation. "Americans are violent because they are fearful" (the position that Michael Moore takes in Bowling for Columbine) is an argument. Why? Because it posits a perspective. It makes a claim. EX: Beyonce undermines the goals of the Feminist Movement

+ 2. Evidence, or WHY You can’t just say what you believe. You have to say why you believe it through evidence. EX: “The ways in which Beyonce’s body is objectified and sexualized in the media undermine the goals of feminism, which includes ending the sexual objectification of women.”

+ 3. STAKES A COMPLEX CLAIM will also state the stakes of the argument. That is: a complex claim will say why this argument matters EX: “As a self-proclaimed feminist figure, Beyonce is hurting the feminist movement more than she’s helping it through the constant sexualization and objectificaiton of her body. Ultimately, Beyonce is undermining the goals of feminism and sending the wrong message to young women that the only source of their power is their sexuality.” OR: “Beyonce would be a more effective feminist icon if her public image was more in line with the goals of feminism, which she claims to advocate, but which she undermines by allowing her body to objectified in the mass media. Because Beyonce has so much influence, it is crucial that she sends the right message to young women.

+ 4.Concession/Counterargument Including a concession or counterargument allows you to anticipate arguments against your claim and address them accordingly in order to reinforce the idea that your claim is the right one. It’s an effective tool in persuading your audience and changing minds. EX: While sex positive feminists argue that Beyonce’s sexualized image in no way undermines her claim that she is a feminist, research has shown that such images have a negative impact on the self-image of young women who Beyonce claims to empower. Indeed, Beyonce would be a more effective feminist icon if her public image was more in line with the goals of feminism, which is partly dedicated to freeing women from the tyranny of objectification. Because Beyonce has so much influence, it is crucial that she sends the right message to young women.

+ 5. Roadmap A ROADMAP tells your reader how you will prove that your claim is the right one. It offers a brief outline or roadmap of your argument. EX: While sex positive feminists argue that Beyonce’s sexualized image in no way undermines her claim that she is a feminist, research has shown that such images have a negative impact on the self-image of the young women who Beyonce claims to empower. Through an examination of how black female bodies have been objectified throughout history and how these images have both negatively impacted women and undermined the goals of the feminist movement, it becomes clear that Beyonce would be a more effective feminist icon if her public image was more in line with the goals of a movement in which she claims to be a member. Because of her self-described role as a feminist and because she has so much influence on young women, it is crucial that Beyonce sends the right message.

+ COMPLEX CLAIM Working Thesis: “Beyonce is a bad feminist icon.” COMPLEX CLAIM: “While sex positive feminists argue that Beyonce’s sexualized image in no way undermines her claim that she is a feminist, research has shown that such images have a negative impact on the self-image of the young women who Beyonce claims to empower. Through an examination of how black female bodies have been objectified throughout history and how these images have both negatively impacted women and undermined the goals of the feminist movement, it becomes clear that Beyonce would be a more effective feminist icon if her public image was more in line with the goals of a movement in which she claims to be a member. Because of her self-described role as a feminist and because she has so much influence on young women, it is crucial that Beyonce sends the right message.”

+ ANOTHER COMPLEX CLAIM: “Rapid technological advancements and an influx of media in today's society have connected us in more ways than ever thought possible. Television, movies, newspapers, magazines, the internet, and other forms of the media all contribute to the highly connected global society. This intricate network of communication has vastly expanded our sphere of knowledge and understanding in the cultural context. Through television and the internet, we can access news and events in other countries minutes after they happen. Through pictures and stories, we can learn about the various cultures and practices all the way across the world. However, with this expanded access also come certain limitations. Often overlooked is the fact that the information has been filtered through numerous entities, only allowing us to see through the eyes of the creator, greatly limiting our perceptions of the world. Sometimes subtle and unintentional, other times blatantly obvious and highly structured, the influences of the media present society with a constructed reality, as each article, be it a news story, photograph, or even voice, is strategically selected and presented to convey a certain message. This process becomes destructive when it begins to shape our opinions, perceptions, and ideologies, especially concerning other cultures.”

+ COUNTERARGUMENTS AND CONCESSIONS Anticipating arguments against or weaknesses in your claim is a good way to reinforce the strength of your argument A counterclaim: state the argument against you and then disprove it. “While Jane Doe states that Earth’s geological changes have less to do with Global Warming than with the Earth’s natural processes, scientists have proven that our CO2 emissions have dramatically increased the rate at which these processes are taking place. In his study, “BLAH BLAH,” George Foreman shows that…” A concession acknowledges a fault in your claim and then performs a sort of damage control. “While it’s true that banning abortion may result in an increased number of women who seek out dangerous, illegal procedures, researchers have shown that outlawing abortion will decrease the total number of abortion by 200%. Indeed, most Americans are law abiding citizens who will not seek out illegal abortions. Furthermore, the idea that abortion should not be outlawed because a few people might seek to break the law is a problematic argument. Should we legalize murder because 524 people commit murder each year (US Statistic 39)?

+ Complex Claim Activity Take out a sheet of paper and write your own complex claim on the issue of whether Beyonce is good for the feminist movement or not. (10ish minutes) REMEMBER TO INCLUDE THE BIG 5: A claim/argument/thesis Evidence Stakes Concession/counterargument Roadmap

+ Complex Claim Activity NOW: switch your complex claim with another person in the class. Read your partner’s complex claim and then answer the following questions: (5 minutes) What are your overall thoughts on the complex claim? Does this have all five elements of a complex claim (claim, counterargument, evidence, road map, stakes)? Which element is strongest and why? What could be improved and why? Is the claim specific and arguable? What suggestions do you have for improvement or why do you think it’s so strong? Does the author present a brief overview of evidence for their claim? How does this evidence support the claim (or not)? Does the order the evidence is presented make sense? Why does this claim matter? Does the author make it clear what the stakes are here? Does the author provide a counter-argument/concession? What do you think of the counter- argument/concession? Does it help strengthen the claim? Why or why not? Is it sign-posted with a transition word so you can tell it’s a counterargument/concession?

+ Complex Claim Activity After reviewing your partner’s complex claim, give them your feedback (5 minutes each, 10 total) Once you’ve received feedback, try revising your complex claim in order to make it stronger (10ish minutes) Get into groups of four. Share your revised complex claims. Then, vote amongst yourselves for the strongest complex claim in the group (10ish minutes) Write your group’s winning complex claim on the white board.

+ Organizing a paper around your complex claim Introduction: How will your introduce your issue? With an anecdote? An overview of the debate? Transition from Introduction into your complex claim Main Point 1 Main Point 2 Counterargument Main Point 3 Conclusion:

+ Beyonce Complex Claim Outline