A Good Argument Uses clear reasoning and reliable evidence to explain and support a point of view on a topic Uses constructive, positive strategies to persuade readers to accept an opinion Respectfully and fairly considers different perspectives on the topic Avoids attacking people who hold other opinions

Argument Components Debatable topic Identified purpose and audience Precise thesis Supporting evidence Counterarguments Logical structure

Debatable Topic People can hold different opinions on the topic and support those opinions with evidence. There’s no one answer. It is not a matter of personal feelings, taste, or preference. Debatability can change. Some topics are just considered fact – there’s no longer any debate about them. Other topics that used to be considered fact are now debatable because of new studies and evidence.

Audience Members of the general academic community Members of our class Members of a community that you’d like to reach Who you write for will shape the choices you make about what to say and how to say it.

Purpose Arguments commonly seek to persuade readers to accept a value judgment adopt a certain policy or course of action accept an new interpretation of an issue or facts seriously consider a new point of view on an issue

Thesis States, precisely and specifically, your opinion about your topic Usually stated in one sentence and placed at the end of the introductory paragraph Reflects the complexity of your topic and avoids making an oversimplified claim Reflects your awareness of the complicated conditions or circumstances surrounding your topic

Supporting Evidence Primary Sources personal experience surveys or interviews examples from current events original art or literature “Allegory of the Cave” The Matrix Secondary Sources published statistics published studies expert analysis or opinion interpretive essays a critique of “Allegory of the Cave” a review of The Matrix

Use of Counterarguments acknowledges other points of view on the topic shows that you are fair, informed, and respectful of other perspectives allows you to anticipate objections of your readers allows you to make a concession if someone who disagrees with you has a good point. usually occurs near the beginning or end of your paper

Logical Structure Deductive argument Inductive argument Toulmin reasoning Emotional appeal

Deductive Argument Major Premise Killing innocent people is wrong. General principle, law, or assumption Major Premise Killing innocent people is wrong. Minor Premise Acts of war kill innocent people. Conclusion Acts of war are wrong. Specific situation Implied Result

Inductive Argument research data This strategy begins with an accumulation of evidence examples statistics Interpretation Then analyzes and interprets the evidence Then creates a claim (hypothesis) based on that evidence Hypothesis

Toulmin Reasoning Warrant Claim Data assumptions, analysis, thesis Data facts, research, statistics, examples Warrant assumptions, analysis, reasoning, logic

Data Claim CO2 is one of the main greenhouse gases Greenhouse gases trap heat inside the earth’s atmosphere The earth’s average temperature has increased by 1 degree F since the 1890s and is expected to keep rising Claim In order to slow the rate of global warming, the United States should reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 10%.

Warrant Increases in the average earth’s temperature are potentially dangerous and should be prevented Levels of carbon dioxide produced by humans are in part responsible for the temperature increase The U.S. needs to be responsible to the rest of the world in its production of CO2

Emotional Appeals Benefits Drawbacks Pull readers into your paper Help readers find a personal connection to the topic Help readers remember your essay in a meaningful way Drawbacks Might seem too subjective to some readers Sometimes used as a substitute for reasoning and logic May rely on prejudices and preconceptions -- yours or your readers’