Elements of Argument and Persuasion Notes for your Composition Notebook

On the next blank page of notebook… Argumentation VS Persuasion hand-out: cut around the border and tape/glue this into your notebook. Don’t worry about a title, the hand-out is already titled. Be ready to take notes…

How would you respond to this type of “argument”?

What argument REALLY is… A logical argument…convinces the audience because of the value and reasonableness of the claims and proofs offered rather than either the emotions the writing suggests to the audience or the character or qualifications of the writer.

What is the difference between argument and persuasion?

Argument Persuasion Goal Discover the “truth” What it MUST have Offers good reasoning and evidence to persuade an audience to accept a “truth” Ways It’s Accomplished Considers other perspectives on the issue •Offers facts that support the reasons (provides EVIDENCE) •Predicts and evaluates the consequences of accepting the argument

Argument Persuasion Goal Discover the “truth” Promotes an opinion on a particular position What it MUST have Offers good reasoning and evidence to persuade an audience to accept a “truth” Uses personal, emotional, or moral appeal to convince an audience to adopt a particular point of view Ways It’s Accomplished Considers other perspectives on the issue •Offers facts that support the reasons (provides EVIDENCE) •Predicts and evaluates the consequences of accepting the argument •May consider other perspectives on the issue •Blends facts and emotion to make its case, relying often on opinion •May predict the results of accepting the position, especially if the information will help convince the reader to adopt the opinion

Turn to the next page in IA Notebook: Title the page: PARTS/TERMS OF ARGUMENTATION: Claim As you go through the definitions… ◦Title it according to the slide. ◦Write ALL PARTS of the definition! Do not abbreviate or rephrase! ◦Draw a picture (you may copy the one on the slide or create your own—just make sure it suits the definition! (Be sure to draw and color NEATLY!!!)

Claim The most general statement in the argument that you are asking people to accept. States your position on the issue you have chosen to write about. Example: “Suzie may carry too much debt.”

EVIDENCE/DATA The support for the claim. Like a lawyer presenting evidence to a jury, you must support your claim with facts; an unsupported claim is merely an assertion. Example: “Suzie has three credit cards in her purse.”

Warrant, Reasons, Rules Explains why the evidence supports the claim (shows the relationship between the two) The warrant, in other words, explains why the evidence proves the claim. The warrant is the “So, what?” asked after the evidence is presented. Example: “There is a relationship between the number of credit cards and personal debt. For example, Kim and Devaney (2001) cite a positive relationship between the number of credit cards a person has and a consumer’s debt.”

Counter-Claim Objection to a claim. Objectively reporting on opposing perspectives. Taking a look at the “other side” of the issue. Example: “Perhaps Suzie has chosen to open three credit accounts in order to establish a positive credit history.”

Persuasion: techniques…. The 3 Appeals: Appeals to authority (ethos): to show a higher power supports argument Appeals to ethical beliefs (ethos): to show a belief is fair Appeals to logic (Logos): to show that an argument is correct Appeal to emotions (pathos): to influence reader’s feelings. **Effective writers choose appeals to reach a specific audience.

Rhetorical Techniques in Persuasive Text Historically important speeches generally use a variety of techniques, including the following: Restatement: repeating an idea in a variety of ways. Parallelism: repeating grammatical structures Rhetorical questions: asking a question with a self-evident answer.

Speakers also use ALLUSION… References to well-known people or events. Patrick Henry & Ben Franklin (we will read them this week….) make particular use of CLASSICAL ALLUSIONS, which refer to ancient Greece or Rome and Biblical ALLUSIONS.

In addition, the author’s persuasive purpose and sense of audience may be evident in the TONE, or emotional quality, of the text. Word choice or DICTION, is a key element; Persuasive diction may include charged language—words that produce emotional responses in readers. Evil VS. Wrong.

As you read this 9 weeks, note examples of rhetorical devices and ANALYZE how they influence the audience, evoke emotions, and create meaning.