Argument Organization Mrs. Pelletier

Organization Classical rhetoricians call this arrangement since you must consider how your essay and its individual paragraphs or sections are arranged Always have a beginning, middle, and an end: introduction, developmental paragraphs, and conclusion How a writer structures the argument depends upon his or her intended purpose and effect.

The Classical Model of Argument Devised by Greek and Roman rhetoricians 2 thousand years ago For presenting cases in courts or making speeches to a senate Taught to think of arguments as debates that have winners and loser Classical structure has 5 parts: each part does NOT represent one paragraph Each part can have any number of paragraphs depending on how much information the author needs to present

Exordium (introduction) Writer tries to win the attention and goodwill of the audience while introducing a subject or problem This section should establish exigency of the issue Exigency means urgency and refers to why this issue must be addressed in TODAY’S society

Example: Exordium “When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.” – The Declaration of Independence

Narratio (narration) This section puts the argument in context Provides factual information and background material on the subject at hand Focuses on HOW the issue became a problem/something that needs to be addressed Level of details provided here will depend on the audience’s knowledge of the subject Focus on logos and/or pathos here

Example: Narratio “But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies.” - The Declaration of Independence

Confirmatio (confirmation) This should be major part of the text (also means it’s the longest) Writer offers detailed support for the claim, using both logical reason and factual evidence Contains the most specific and concrete detail in the text strong appeal to logos

Logos Silliness

Refutario (refutation) Writer acknowledges and then refutes opposing claims or evidence You must first show that you fully understand the opposition’s argument Then, you must refute the opposition using reasoning and sound evidence

Peroratio (conclusion) Answers the question: so what? You can do that through a variety of ways including: Call to action Solution The greater importance of this topic for society

Example: Peroratio “We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States […]” - The Declaration of Independence

The Rogerian Model of Argument Issue of argument: discussion of serious issues can easily turn into a shouting match Rhetoricians applied the non-confrontational principles of psychologist, Carl Rogers, to argument Created a 4-part structure to Roger’s approach

Introduction Writer describes an issue, a problem, or a conflict Description is rich and shows that the author understands and respects any alternative position(s)

Contexts Writer describes the contexts or circumstances under which alternative positions may be valid or legitimate Show you understand other sides of the argument

Writer’s Position Writer states his or her position on the issue and presents the circumstances in which that opinion would be valid This is the largest part of your paper where you synthesize your research

Benefits to Opponent Writer explains to opponents how they would benefit from adopting his or her position Explain why your solution, proposal, argument is better in this context

LET’S SEE SOME EXAMPLES! 