Writing Argumentation By Debra Gibes, MAT Mott Community College

1. Introduction Start with a hook (Lead in) “When Felicia Morgan was growing up, her parents would sit down to meals with guns next to their plates.” State your Thesis (Topic and Claim) “Violence is a norm, an occurrence so routine that Morgan’s 17 years of exposure to it have rendered her not responsible for her actions.” (ghetto defense)

2. Body Give reasons to support the thesis. “Morgan suffers from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychological ailments stemming from her lifelong exposure to violence. Use evidence to support your reasons by including Facts, Logical Reasoning (Conclusions), and Value

Facts Support that can be proven or verified by observation or research “PTSD has been recognized as a malady in standard diagnostic tests since 1980 and it has been employed as a criminal defense for Vietnam veterans, battered wives and many other trauma victims .”

Logical Reasoning Support based on valid inferences. DEDUCTIVE - begins with a major premise and moves toward a more specific statement or minor premise. “Morgan belongs to a very small group of inner-city residents with tremendous intra-familial violence”, only some of whom might experience PTSD.” INDUCTIVE - reaches a general conclusion from observed specifics. “This was a child. Society did nothing to stop these daily depredations upon her.”

Value Support states that one thing or idea has worth or significance. “Why not a ghetto defense? After all, if a Vietnam veteran can claim PTSD from the shock of war, shouldn’t a similar defense be available for a young black reared in the embattled precints of Bed-Stuy?”

3. Conclusion Restate your Thesis Summarize your evidence Leave the reader with a final impression

4. Evaluate Your Arguments Are your opinions supported by facts? Is your reasoning logical? Are your value statements fair?

Support Opinions with Facts An opinion is a person’s belief or judgment. That is, it is a person’s own interpretation of information or facts. A fact is information that can be proved. Facts are based on evidence or proof. It might be research, experiments, observation, or direct experience.

Examples Laws favor the rich. (Opinion) Car Jacking receives a stiffer penalty than Drunk Driving. (Fact) Society is responsible for improving the conditions of the impoverished. (Opinion) Social programs aid the needy and impoverished. (Fact) Each person is responsible for his or her behavior (Opinion) Crimes committed by individuals are punishable by law. (Fact)

Eliminate Errors in Reasoning Circular Reasoning: Using the claim as support for itself Hasty Generalization: Using an all inclusive statement False-Cause: Stating a cause effect relationship is not proven Either-Or: Justification using exclusion

Examples:

Avoid False Value Emotional Fallacy: Equating exaggerated emotional appeal False Authority: Using unjustified credentials or references False Association: Associating an unrelated person or thing Bandwagon Fallacy: Using “peer pressure”

Examples:

Practice: The Great Divide The Hook The Thesis The Reasons The Support The Conclusion

Assignment: Pre-Writing: Complete the Argumentation Essay Checklist before writing your own Argumentation Essay.