The Classical Model for Argumentation

QW: Prior Knowledge What do you know, assume, remember, or imagine about the Classical Argument? Based on this name and some of the things we’ve been discussing, what do you think it MIGHT involve?

Organization Classical rhetoricians call this arrangement since you must consider how your essay and its individual paragraphs or sections are arranged The essay always has a beginning, middle, and an end: introduction, developmental paragraphs, and conclusion How a writer structures the argument depends upon his or her intended purpose and effect.

SO…. What is the intended purpose of your research paper? And…how do you think you will go about presenting your argument? What do you suppose is the first step? Second?

The Classical Model of Argument Devised by Greek and Roman rhetoricians two thousand years ago… Hang on…what’s a rhetorician? What’s rhertoric? Rhetoric is the study of how language & its elements are used for different effects/purposes. It’s the art of effective speaking & writing. When might they have used it? For presenting cases in courts or making speeches to a senate Who else might use rhetoric and a structured argument? Who might use these strategies today?

The Classical Model of Argument Classical structure has 5 parts: each part does NOT represent one paragraph Each part can have any number of paragraphs depending on how much information the author needs to present

Exordium (The Introduction) Writer tries to win the attention and goodwill of the audience while introducing a subject or problem Draws the audience into the text by piquing their interest, challenging them, or otherwise getting their attention BUT it will avoid cliché and rhetorical questions, just like always!

Exordium (continued) In your intro ¶’s, you will need to establish what is called exigency, which means urgency of the topic. Why does this issue need to be addressed now? Why’s it a hot topic? It will state your position on the issue in the thesis statement at the end of the ¶.

Narratio (The Narration) aka, the story so far… This section puts the argument in context and gives a bit of a HISTORY OF THE ISSUE. To give this context, the writer presents the facts of the case, explaining what has happened, who is involved, etc. Provides factual information and background material on the subject at hand OR establishes why the subject is a problem that needs addressing today, based on the story of the issue so far.

Narratio (The Narration) aka, the story so far… Level of details provided here will depend on the YOUR knowledge of the subject, so as to provide a solid context for your audience…so I hope you have enough information from your research/ notecards to provide good background. These paragraphs are basically still setting up the argument by providing your audience with an understanding of how we got to where we are today w/the issue.

Confirmatio (The Confirmation) Usually the major part of your essay w/many ¶’s Writer offers detailed support for the claim, using both logical reason and factual evidence Contains the most specific and concrete details in the text strong appeal to logos (logic/facts)

Confirmatio (The Confirmation) This section DOES NOT JUST LIST DATA/QUOTES. It is organized by reasons or points you are making. And then those reasons (TS’s) are supported with evidence (quotes) w/in the ¶. You will have multiple reasons, and each ¶ will have multiple quotes in it, all of which support that idea/reason/point/TS.

Refutario (The Refutation) Writer acknowledges and then refutes opposing claims or evidence The refutation addresses the counterargument, which is in many ways a bridge between the writer’s proof and conclusion.

Refutario (The Refutation) You have to address the opposing argument before you skillfully shoot it down. You will have to prove why their side is not the best choice through reasons supported by evidence. That means you need quotes. This is the 2nd to last thing you do right before …

Peroratio (The Conclusion!) Writer summarizes (briefly!) the case and moves the audience to action Brings all the author’s ideas together and answers the question: so what? Call to action Solution The greater importance of this topic for society

LET’S SEE SOME EXAMPLES! 