Argument Organization: Classical Model Mrs. Pelletier

Organization Classical rhetoricians call this arrangement since you must consider how your essay and its individual paragraphs or sections are arranged Always have 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.

The Classical Model of Argument Devised by Greek and Roman rhetoricians 2 thousand years ago For presenting cases in courts or making speeches to a senate Taught to think of arguments as debates that have winners and loser 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 (introduction) Writer tries to win the attention and/or goodwill of the audience while introducing a subject or problem This section should establish exigency of the issue Exigency means urgency and refers to why this issue must be addressed in TODAY’S society

Narratio (narration) This section puts the argument in context Provides factual information and background material on the subject at hand This may include past events leading to the issue, establishment of premises, and definition of terms Focuses on HOW the issue became a problem/something that needs to be addressed Level of details provided here will depend on the audience’s knowledge of the subject

Confirmatio (confirmation) This should be major part of the text (also means it’s the longest) Writer offers reasons and detailed support for the claim, using both logical reason and factual evidence Contains the most specific and concrete detail in the text

Refutario (refutation) Writer acknowledges and then refutes opposing claims or evidence Depending on the purpose, most effective arguments show a full understanding of the opposition’s argument before refuting that argument with sound reasoning and evidence

Peroratio (conclusion) Answers the question: so what? You can do that through a variety of ways including: Call to action Solution The greater importance of this topic for society

Example: Exordium “When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.” – The Declaration of Independence

Example: Narratio “But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies.” - The Declaration of Independence

Example: Peroratio “We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States […]” - The Declaration of Independence

Logos Silliness