Introduction to Argument Writing

Introduction Argument: Argument: is persuasive is persuasive has a strong thesis has a strong thesis includes support (citations) to back up assertions includes support (citations) to back up assertions

Introduction Analysis of argument papers includes: Analysis of argument papers includes: –examining the argument (what is the topic?) –look at writer’s major assertion (thesis) –believability of evidence (do they provide enough factual evidence?) Main goal of argument papers: Main goal of argument papers: –Keep readers reading—many already have an opinion, so don’t turn them off

Introduction * Heart of the paper = thesis * Heart of the paper = thesis Examples, definitions, and descriptions = supporting evidence of thesis Examples, definitions, and descriptions = supporting evidence of thesis Argument essays are based primarily on REASON/LOGIC. Argument essays are based primarily on REASON/LOGIC. I.E., you cannot just say something is true without providing support

Introduction Self-Expression Vs. Argument Self-Expression Vs. Argument –S.E. is pure emotion with no supporting evidence –Argument expresses opinion with supporting evidence and is generally less emotional than S.E. –Your logical argument is stronger than your emotional argument

Sources Use only reliable sources—from experience, journals, articles, the Internet. BEWARE THE INTERNET! Anyone can put anything on the Web. Use only reliable sources—from experience, journals, articles, the Internet. BEWARE THE INTERNET! Anyone can put anything on the Web. NO WIKIPEDIA!!! EVER!!! NO WIKIPEDIA!!! EVER!!!

Audience & Purpose You must adapt both form (how you write it) and content (what you write about) to suit your audience, without losing your message. You must adapt both form (how you write it) and content (what you write about) to suit your audience, without losing your message. Do not omit facts just to make your case look stronger Do not omit facts just to make your case look stronger A concrete example, like a short anecdote (story), makes the abstract issue (i.e., gun control or insurance fraud) more accessible. A concrete example, like a short anecdote (story), makes the abstract issue (i.e., gun control or insurance fraud) more accessible.

Audience & Purpose Keep in mind how much your audience knows about the subject! Keep in mind how much your audience knows about the subject! My aim is to convince my readers to adopt my beliefs, perhaps even to act on them. My aim is to convince my readers to adopt my beliefs, perhaps even to act on them.

Appealing to Reason & Emotion Reason, or logic, is the foundatio n of the argument. Reason, or logic, is the foundatio n of the argument.

Appealing to Reason & Emotion Put your thesis to the test: Am I making an assertion within my thesis? Test the sentence by checking to see if it states an opinion. Am I making an assertion within my thesis? Test the sentence by checking to see if it states an opinion. Is the assertion supported by evidence? If yes, go to question 3. If no, research the topic to gather more evidence. Is the assertion supported by evidence? If yes, go to question 3. If no, research the topic to gather more evidence. Is the evidence sufficient? Check to make sure it’s directly related to the thesis (your assertion). Is the evidence sufficient? Check to make sure it’s directly related to the thesis (your assertion).

Appealing to Reason & Emotion Emotional appeals are best left to small roles in the essay (i.e., a brief anecdote about a run-in with an armed burglar for an essay on gun control; a brief anecdote about a neighbor cheating an insurance company for an essay on insurance fraud) Emotional appeals are best left to small roles in the essay (i.e., a brief anecdote about a run-in with an armed burglar for an essay on gun control; a brief anecdote about a neighbor cheating an insurance company for an essay on insurance fraud) Emotion will have an impact; reason will carry the argument. Emotion will have an impact; reason will carry the argument. += Argument

Logical Fallacies Logical fallacies – holes or lapses in reasoning Logical fallacies – holes or lapses in reasoning Hasty generalizations – reasoning based on insufficient evidence, usually too few examples Hasty generalizations – reasoning based on insufficient evidence, usually too few examples Either-or reasoning – staking out two extremes as the only alternatives and, therefore, excluding anything in between Either-or reasoning – staking out two extremes as the only alternatives and, therefore, excluding anything in between False authority – citing an expert on one subject as the expert on another False authority – citing an expert on one subject as the expert on another Ad hominem – name-calling Ad hominem – name-calling

Ad Hominem Example

Logical Fallacies Post hoc reasoning – assuming a causal (cause-effect) relationship where a temporal (related to time, like a coincidence) one exists Post hoc reasoning – assuming a causal (cause-effect) relationship where a temporal (related to time, like a coincidence) one exists Ads and political campaigns have all sorts of logical fallacies. Ads and political campaigns have all sorts of logical fallacies. Non sequitur – there is no apparent link between points Non sequitur – there is no apparent link between points False analogy – an analogy that does not stand up to logic False analogy – an analogy that does not stand up to logic

Logical Fallacies Begging the question – arguing off the point, changing direction Begging the question – arguing off the point, changing direction Shift in Definition – changing the definition of a key term, a form of begging the question Shift in Definition – changing the definition of a key term, a form of begging the question Straw Man – attacking and destroying an irrelevant point instead of the main subject Straw Man – attacking and destroying an irrelevant point instead of the main subject

Begging the Question Example

Organization & Ideas The thesis should be explicit and easy to find in the beginning of the essay The thesis should be explicit and easy to find in the beginning of the essay Deductive reasoning = organizing ideas by general (the thesis) to the specific (the evidence). Deductive reasoning = organizing ideas by general (the thesis) to the specific (the evidence). Most argument essays use deductive reasoning. Most argument essays use deductive reasoning. Inductive reasoning = organizing ideas by specific (the evidence) to the general (the thesis) Inductive reasoning = organizing ideas by specific (the evidence) to the general (the thesis)

Acknowledging the Opposition = Concession Always include a paragraph that discusses what opponents to your thesis would say Always include a paragraph that discusses what opponents to your thesis would say This strengthens your argument— introduce their ideas and then discount them with your evidence This strengthens your argument— introduce their ideas and then discount them with your evidence