AP Language and Composition Everything is an Argument

Agenda: Bell Ringer Discuss Everything is an Argument Chapters 1 and 3 Examples of how anything can be an argument School scavenger hunt HOMEWORK: Find something that not everyone would consider an “argument” and explain why it actually is.

Bell Ringer: Describe the AUDIENCE to the best of your ability given the choices made here by the speaker. Law and order must be restored. It must be restored for the sake of all but most especially for the sake of those living in the affected communities, of which there are many. The main victims of these riots are law abiding African American citizens living in these neighborhoods. It’s their jobs; it’s their homes; it’s their schools; it’s their communities which will suffer the most as a result. There’s no compassion in tolerating lawless conduct for anyone. Crime and violence is an attack on the poor and will never be accepted in my administration. The narrative that has been pushed aggressively for years…is a totally false one. The problem in our communities is not that there are too many police. It’s that there are not enough police. More law enforcement, more community engagement, and more effective policing is what our country needs desperately.

Discussion: Get out both chapters of Everything is an Argument. Before we begin, generate 3 questions you want to ask during discussion. You will be talking to each other. I will chime in to clarify and correct as needed.

How is Everything an Argument? Any time anyone makes any sort of choice, there is a rhetorical implication. That means, there is an implicit argument even though the decision-maker might not have intended to make one. Let’s look at some scenarios and discuss:

How is Everything an Argument? What is the argument being made by this product? EXPLICIT argument? IMPLICIT argument? What does Ellen DeGeneres say?

How is Everything an Argument? My mom texts me to let me know there’s a storm coming. How is this an argument? Are there IMPLIED arguments?

How is Everything an Argument? A man wears his wedding ring. What’s the argument? What KIND of argument is it based on EIAA chapter 1?

How is Everything an Argument? I pass this sign on my way home every day. It’s an argument. How?

How is Everything an Argument? Look at the name of this lipstick. What’s the argument?

How is Everything an Argument? These products serve the same purpose. BUT They’re making VERY different arguments…

How is Everything an Argument? My favorite coffee shop has a pay-it-forward board where you can buy a coffee for someone or for a stranger. What’s the argument?

How is Everything an Argument? Look at the way I am dressed today. (Yes. You have my permission.) Look at my hair, clothes, make-up, accessories or lack of. What am I arguing to my audience (implicitly or explicitly)?

How is Everything an Argument? We’re going to go on a little tour of the school to continue to think about how EVERYTHING is an argument. We’ll start right here in this room. Look at details. What am I arguing through this space?

HOMEWORK: Find something in your home or in your community that people might not think is making an argument. Explain how it IS making an argument and how you know based on the details. THEORETICAL BONUS POINTS IF YOU ARE ABLE TO TAKE A PICTURE OR BRING THE ITEM.