Class 16 Midterm exam—10/25—discussion on 10/18 Final exam—discuss Term paper approach Assign WA Ch 6, 15—10/18 Term paper approach—11/1 Mary Jean Harrold

Term Paper Approach Mary Jean Harrold

Overview Term Paper Proposal—submitted and approved Term paper will present a well-reasoned argument for your claim will conclude with policy proposal for broader plan of action or a call to action Next step in term paper is the Term Paper Approach beginning of your term paper consists of heading, introduction, detailed outline of main body of the paper (to describe the approach), and summary of opposing views to your claim Mary Jean Harrold

Term Paper Approach (11/1) (1) Heading (centered at the top of the page) and containing Title of your term paper Course number, section, and semester Your name A blank line Term Paper Approach The date Example My Great Term Paper CS 4001C Fall 2007 Mary Jean Harrold November 1, 2007 Mary Jean Harrold

Term Paper Approach (11/1) (2) Introduction See Chapter 3 of WA for more details Include Attention grabber Explanation of issue and required background Your thesis Forecasting passage for rest of paper Mary Jean Harrold

Term Paper Approach (11/1) (3) Detailed outline Should reflect the research you’ve done (and will do) One way is to formulate because clauses and then support them with resources (e.g., papers you’ve read, Web sites you’ve read, interviews you have or will conduct, and surveys you’ve done) In this Term Paper Approach, you’ll describe the approach you have taken or will take to support the because clauses Mary Jean Harrold

Term Paper Approach (11/1) (4) Summary of opposing views Outline opposing views Approach to responding to those views Mary Jean Harrold

Logical Structure of Arguments Mary Jean Harrold

Argument Core of an argument Logos—internal consistency, logical, best reasons, supporting evidence Pathos—make reader open to message, appeal to their values, engage them emotionally Ethos—enhance my credibility, present myself effectively Mary Jean Harrold

Argument Core of an argument Logos—internal consistency, logical, best reasons, supporting evidence Pathos—make reader open to message, appeal to their values, engage them emotionally Ethos—enhance my credibility, present myself effectively Mary Jean Harrold

Quick Quiz Name 1. Write three questions that would be appropriate from today’s reading assignment: Writing Arguments, Chapter 5 2. Answer these questions Mary Jean Harrold

Overview Real-world argument not formal logic Differences between formal logic and real-world argument Formal logic - provable, certain Real-word argument - grounded in beliefs, assumptions, or values granted by the audience - these beliefs, assumptions, and values often unstated Mary Jean Harrold

Overview Real-world argument not formal logic Difference between formal logic and real-world argument Formal logic Provable, certain Real-world argument grounded in beliefs, assumptions, or values granted by the audience these beliefs, assumptions, and values often unstated Mary Jean Harrold

Overview What are examples of arguments in which beliefs, assumptions, and values are shared by audience and can remain unstated? Mary Jean Harrold

Overview What is an enthymeme? Mary Jean Harrold An incomplete logical structure Mary Jean Harrold

Overview Consider argument “<complete> ” What is underlying assumption of this argument? Complete it by stating unstated assumption Initial enthymeme: Claim: Stated reason: Unstated reason: Mary Jean Harrold

Overview Consider argument “Rabbits make good pets because they are gentle” What is underlying assumption of this argument? Complete it by stating unstated assumption Initial enthymeme: “Rabbits make …gentle” Claim: “Rabbits make good pets” Stated reason: “Because they are gentle” Unstated reason: “Gentle animals make good pets.” Class exercise: Identify claim, stated reason, and unstated assumption to complete the following enthymemic argument: We should not choose Joe as a committee chairperson because he is too bossy. Buy this stereo because it has a powerful amplifier Practicing piano is good for kids because it teaches good discipline What car should we buy? We should buy a Geo Metro because it is extremely economical. We should buy a used Volvo because it is very safe. We should buy this Ford Escort because it is red. How would we support 1, 2 for car buying? want to see difference between supporting/attacking stated reason and supporting/attaching unstated assumption Now onto 3 in car buying---should realize that the claim is unwarranted warrant---what the audience has to believe holds if the soundness of the argument is to be guaranteed 1 and 2 are warranted: should buy most economical car; should buy safest car. But what is warrant in 3 of car buying--- Need to support warrants Grounds are evidence to support your because clause Backing supports the warrant Now grounds for volvo for its because clause Now backing volvo---for its warrant Mary Jean Harrold

Overview Consider argument “Rabbits make good pets because they are gentle” What is underlying assumption of this argument? Complete it by stating unstated assumption Initial enthymeme: “Rabbits make …gentle” Claim: “Rabbits make good pets” Stated reason: “Because they are gentle” Unstated reason: “Gentle animals make good pets.” Class exercise: Identify claim, stated reason, and unstated assumption to complete the following enthymemic argument: We should not choose Joe as a committee chairperson because he is too bossy. Buy this stereo because it has a powerful amplifier Practicing piano is good for kids because it teaches good discipline What car should we buy? We should buy a Geo Metro because it is extremely economical. We should buy a used Volvo because it is very safe. We should buy this Ford Escort because it is red. How would we support 1, 2 for car buying? want to see difference between supporting/attacking stated reason and supporting/attaching unstated assumption Now onto 3 in car buying---should realize that the claim is unwarranted warrant---what the audience has to believe holds if the soundness of the argument is to be guaranteed 1 and 2 are warranted: should buy most economical car; should buy safest car. But what is warrant in 3 of car buying--- Need to support warrants Grounds are evidence to support your because clause Backing supports the warrant Now grounds for volvo for its because clause Now backing volvo---for its warrant Mary Jean Harrold

Overview Consider argument “Practicing piano is good for kids because it teaches good discipline” What is underlying assumption of this argument? Complete it by stating unstated assumption Initial enthymeme: Claim: Stated reason: Unstated reason: Class exercise: Identify claim, stated reason, and unstated assumption to complete the following enthymemic argument: We should not choose Joe as a committee chairperson because he is too bossy. Buy this stereo because it has a powerful amplifier Practicing piano is good for kids because it teaches good discipline What car should we buy? We should buy a Geo Metro because it is extremely economical. We should buy a used Volvo because it is very safe. We should buy this Ford Escort because it is red. How would we support 1, 2 for car buying? want to see difference between supporting/attacking stated reason and supporting/attaching unstated assumption Now onto 3 in car buying---should realize that the claim is unwarranted warrant---what the audience has to believe holds if the soundness of the argument is to be guaranteed 1 and 2 are warranted: should buy most economical car; should buy safest car. But what is warrant in 3 of car buying--- Need to support warrants Grounds are evidence to support your because clause Backing supports the warrant Now grounds for volvo for its because clause Now backing volvo---for its warrant Mary Jean Harrold

Overview What car should we buy? How would we support these arguments? We should buy a Geo Metro because it is extremely economical. We should buy a used Volvo because it is very safe. We should buy this Ford Escort because it is red. How would we support these arguments? Class exercise: Identify claim, stated reason, and unstated assumption to complete the following enthymemic argument: We should not choose Joe as a committee chairperson because he is too bossy. Buy this stereo because it has a powerful amplifier Practicing piano is good for kids because it teaches good discipline What car should we buy? We should buy a Geo Metro because it is extremely economical. We should buy a used Volvo because it is very safe. We should buy this Ford Escort because it is red. How would we support 1, 2 for car buying? want to see difference between supporting/attacking stated reason and supporting/attaching unstated assumption Now onto 3 in car buying---should realize that the claim is unwarranted warrant---what the audience has to believe holds if the soundness of the argument is to be guaranteed 1 and 2 are warranted: should buy most economical car; should buy safest car. But what is warrant in 3 of car buying--- Need to support warrants Grounds are evidence to support your because clause Backing supports the warrant Now grounds for volvo for its because clause Now backing volvo---for its warrant Mary Jean Harrold

The Toulmin System Enthymeme An incomplete logical structure Toulmin’s model All assertions and assumptions are contestable by “opposing counsel” All final “verdicts” about the persuasiveness of alternative arguments will be rendered by a neutral third party, a judge or jury. Implications of Toulmin’s model for argument Must anticipate counter arguments and question assumptions Must be fair in representing the other side Must make sure our argument is not constructed just for those who already agree with us Mary Jean Harrold

The Toulmin System Enthymeme An incomplete logical structure Toulmin’s model All assertions and assumptions are contestable by “opposing counsel” All final “verdicts” about the persuasiveness of alternative arguments will be rendered by a neutral third party, a judge or jury. Implications of Toulmin’s model for argument Must anticipate counter arguments and question assumptions Must be fair in representing the other side Must make sure our argument is not constructed just for those who already agree with us Mary Jean Harrold

The Toulmin System (cont’d) Example Initial enthymeme: We should buy this used Volvo because it is extremely safe Claim: We should buy this used Volvo Stated Reason: because it is is extremely safe Unstated Reason: because we should buy the car that is the safest In Toulmin’s system, the unstated reasons are warrants Warrant: The safest car is the best car Mary Jean Harrold

The Toulmin System (cont’d) Example Initial enthymeme: We should buy this used Volvo because it is extremely safe Claim: We should buy this used Volvo Stated Reason: It is extremely safe Warrant: The safest car is the best car How do we support the reason and warrant? Mary Jean Harrold

The Toulmin System (cont’d) Example Initial enthymeme: We should buy this used Volvo because it is extremely safe Claim: We should buy this used Volvo Stated Reason: It is extremely safe Warrant: The safest car is the best car How do we support the reason and warrant? Support stated reason with grounds (evidence, what you have to go on---facts, statistics, data, testimony, interviews, surveys, …) Support warrant with backing (for audience who may not share the unstated claim, why do you believe this, how do you know this…) Mary Jean Harrold

The Toulmin System (cont’d) Example Initial enthymeme: We should buy this used Volvo because it is extremely safe Claim: We should buy this used Volvo Stated Reason: It is extremely safe Grounds: Warrant: The safest car is the best car Backing: Mary Jean Harrold

The Toulmin System (cont’d) Example Initial enthymeme: We should buy this used Volvo because it is extremely safe Claim: We should buy this used Volvo Stated Reason: It is extremely safe Grounds: Warrant: The safest car is the best car Backing: How do we address the resistant audience Conditions of Rebuttal: Rebutting reasons and grounds Rebutting the warrant and backing Qualifier since cannot usually prove your argument, qualify it Mary Jean Harrold

Exercise Use Toulmin’s scheme to help determine what you have to consider in developing the following enthymeme Practicing Piano is good for kids because it teaches discipline Claim: Practicing piano is good for kids Stated Reason because it teaches discipline Grounds: Evidence that practicing piano develops discipline Warrant: Learning discipline is important for kids Backing: Since practicing discipline develops good work habits, teaches lesson that short-term fun must sometimes be sacrifices for long-term gain, etc. Mary Jean Harrold

Audience-based Reasons Audience-based VS writer-based Discussion: What is the warrant Will audience grant it? Audience: a beleaguered parent I should be allowed to stay out until 2 A.M. because all my friends do I should be allowed to stay out until 2 A.M. because only if I’m free to make my own decisions will I mature Mary Jean Harrold

Who is Your Audience Who is your audience? How much do they care about your issue? What is your audience’s current attitude toward your issue? What will be your audience’s likely objections to your argument? What values, beliefs, or assumptions about the work do you and your audience share? Mary Jean Harrold

What Will Be Your Audiences in the Next Five Years? In each case, for what are you trying to argue? Mary Jean Harrold

What Will Be Your Audiences in the Next Five Years? In each case, for what are you trying to argue? A company where you want to get a job A boss whom you want to convince about your project. A project leader whom you want to convince about your design. A customer whom you want to convince about your plan for developing their software. A graduate school where you want to enroll. A teacher whom you want to convince to pass you Mary Jean Harrold

Audience-based Reasons Mary Jean Harrold

ISSUE QUESTION: Should it be legal for drivers to talk on cell phones while driving? Audience: Your state political representatives Claim: Cell phones should be illegal to use while driving. Reason 1: because holding a cell phone in one hand diminishes drivers’ capacity to control their cars physically Grounds: Find statistics showing how many drivers have had trouble making turns or staying in their lanes when talking on ca cell phone; statistics of number of accidents caused by cell phone users Warrant: Anything that interferes with drivers’ ability to handle their cars is bad Backing: Conditions of Rebuttal for Reason 1: Cell phones have been shown to be valuable in road emergencies; many business people need cell phones to make contact with clients and need to save time by talking while they are driving; drivers use their hands to do a lot of other equally or more distracting things while driving, such as drinking coffee, reading, fiddling with CDs and tapes, shaving, putting on make-up; should these activities be banned too? Qualifier: Except with a headset of speaker-phone, cell phones should be illegal to use while driving Mary Jean Harrold

ISSUE QUESTION: Should it be legal for drivers to talk on cell phones while driving? Audience: Your state political representatives Claim: Cell phones should be illegal to use while driving. Reason 2: Grounds: Warrant: Backing: Conditions of Rebuttal for Reason 2 Qualifier: Mary Jean Harrold