Everything’s an Argument!

These are arguments… Commercials History textbooks Newspaper articles (all of them  ) Magazine articles (all of them  ) Science books Short stories (fiction or nonfiction) Nonfiction

Argument All material is developed with a cause, whether to entertain, inform, education, question, etc. The “cause” is the argument

Argument The inclusion of material is an argument. Argument is often not heated debate, but rather careful rhetoric used to convince an audience. Argument is an act of empathy, not of opinion. Argument is the goal, persuasion is the vehicle used to get to the goal.

Empathy Ensures that controversy will be explored from multiple perspectives Ensures that reasoned conclusions reached by the writer aim to be fair and inclusive There’s no intent to “win” in argument Everything is considered in the interest of truth and honesty.

Argument is NOT Angry! “Effective argument is seldom combative. The writer does not come into the arena aggressively pursuing a knockout. Argument at the very most might “sting like a bee,” but even that should be a stinging into awareness. Argument never goes for the sucker punch. It aims for understanding…to turn resistance into consensus…” –Frames of Mind

Patterns (or mode) of Discourse A fancy way of saying “genres” of writing: Compare and Contrast Definition Description Analysis Narration Classification Cause and Effect Process Analysis Etc.

Patterns (or mode) of Discourse Argument is NOT a mode of discourse, but rather uses all other modes of discourse to achieve its cause.

Defining Argument Argument is ALWAYS grounded in reason. It seeks to be logical It avoids faulty reasoning (logical fallacies), which is dishonest Argument knows that a concession is a sign of strength, not weakness, showing that the writer has truly considered the issue from all angles.

Argument Equanimity, balance and reasonableness are key. Aggressiveness, and sarcasm most often build resistance and resentment. The writer must know the audience to help reach the audience with the most effective form.

Claim The claim is your argument…your thesis. It must be rooted in fair logic and reasoning. It must be “arguable,” NOT fact.

Logic—2 types of fair reasoning Inductive Reasoning: reasoning based on probability and likelihood. Educated, fair, informed reasoning. Deductive Reasoning: reasoning based on absolute fact/truth. Moves from general to specific. It shows a valid syllogism: Major Premise: All biological mothers are women. Minor Premise: I am a mother. Conclusion: I am a woman.

Reasoning: summed up! Inductive reasoning: very likely and/or widely accepted based on fair probability. Deductive reasoning: definitively provable fact.

Syllogism Major Premise: All biological mothers are women. Minor Premise: I am a biological mother. Conclusion: I am a woman. The major premise MUST be an undisputable fact, or the syllogism is faulty. The subject of the major premise MUST be the predicate of the minor premise, or the syllogism in not valid.

Faulty Syllogism Major Premise: All biological mothers are women. Minor Premise: I am a woman. Conclusion: I am a mother. This doesn’t work, because woman is NOT the subject in the major premise.

Syllogism Practice Finish the following syllogism: Major Premise: All humans are mortal Minor Premise: I am human. Conclusion:

Syllogism Practice Finish the following syllogism: Major Premise: All mammals have hair. Minor Premise: Conclusion:

Syllogism Practice What’s wrong with this picture? Major Premise: All athletics are funded by sponsors. Minor Premise: This activity was funded by a sponsor. Conclusion: This activity is athletic.

Syllogism Practice What’s wrong with this picture? Major Premise: Wealthy people are arrogant. Minor Premise: She is wealthy. Conclusion: She is arrogant.

Fallacies Faulty reasoning Flawed logic False/inaccurate thinking It is NOT acceptable to use fallacious reasoning in an argument. It is unfair and unethical.