Argument Writing

What is the difference? Argument Persuasion Goal is to get the reader to acknowledge your side is valid You begin with research, then align with a side Offers relevant reasons, credible facts, and evidence Goal is to get the reader to agree with you, whatever it takes You begin with a topic and your side Blends facts and emotions; often relies heavily on opinion What is the difference?

Argument expresses a point of view or position on an issue and supports the position with reasons and evidence Good arguments appeal to logic, not emotion Arguments involves claims, evidence, warrants, backing, counter claim, and rebuttals What is an argument?

What is an argument? Argument is at the heart of critical thinking Argument is the kind of writing students need to know for success in college and in life What is an argument?

Argument writing is NOT a dispute or debate Argument writing is NOT when people disagree and yell at one another What an argument is NOT

What are the essential elements of an argument? Claim Rule (Warrant) Rule (Warrant) Rule (Warrant) Evidence Evidence Evidence Evidence Evidence Evidence What are the essential elements of an argument?

What are the essential elements of an argument? Claim - this is the writer’s or speaker’s position on an issue; it is your thesis statement What are the essential elements of an argument?

What are the essential elements of an argument? Rule/Warrant – this explains how the evidence supports the claim If you cannot come up with a rule/warrant for a piece of evidence, you probably shouldn’t include that evidence What are the essential elements of an argument?

What are the essential elements of an argument? Evidence - valid reasons and relevant and sufficient evidence What are the essential elements of an argument?

Suppose you see one of those commercials for a product that promises to give you whiter teeth. Here are the basic parts of the argument behind that commercial: Claim = You should buy our tooth-whitening product. Evidence = Studies show that teeth are 50% whiter after using the product for a specified time. Warrant = People want whiter teeth. ***Are there any possible issues with this evidence? For example…

Here’s another example… Let’s say you are trying to convince your friends that Michael Baker is the best hitter in baseball history: Claim = Michael Baker is the best hitter in baseball history. Evidence = He had a lifetime batting average of .367. Warrant = Lifetime average is the best way to assess a hitter. Here’s another example…

What are the essential elements of an argument? It is also important to remember: Strong arguments anticipate objections that opponents might raise Backing helps you defend your warrant. What are the essential elements of an argument?

What are the essential elements of an argument? Backing – supports your warrant So in our tooth-whitening example, the warrant would be backed by reasons such as the argument that whiter teeth will help one get more dates or that whiter teeth will make you look better in yearbook photos. What are the essential elements of an argument?

What are the essential elements of an argument? Of course, there will always be those who disagree with your claims. A counterclaim negates or disagrees with your claim/thesis. Back to our tooth-whitening example: A counterclaim might say instead of focusing on how to whiten teeth, we should instead focus on what stains teeth to begin with. What are the essential elements of an argument?

What are the essential elements of an argument? A rebuttal negates or disagrees with the counterclaim. So…While staying away from things that stain our teeth is a good idea, it is not always feasible; thus teeth-whitening products are a better solution for much of the nation’s population. What are the essential elements of an argument?

What are strategies for reading an argument? Identify each argument’s claims, data, and warrants. Look for backing for the warrants and rebuttals. Think for yourself! What are strategies for reading an argument?

Read “Fixing What Isn’t Broken” and identify: 1. the claim 2 Read “Fixing What Isn’t Broken” and identify: 1. the claim 2. each warrant – you can label them warrant 1, warrant 2, etc. 3. evidence 4. any counterclaims 5. rebuttals Let’s read…