Writing tips & Toulmin’s Theory of Argumentation

Professor Truex Case Memo & writing Feedback (1) : Plagiarism Representing someone else’s words and thoughts as your own. It is wrong, it is against the rules It will result in a failing grade or worse (see the syllabus) Even in a simple case analysis ATTRIUBTE YOUR SOURCES IF you are quoting then enclose by quotes and identify the source and page number IF you are paraphrasing then say something akin to: according to xxx … The authors say that… The general principle is FULL DISCLOSURE, when in doubt err towards the conservative.

Professor Truex Writing Feedback (2) : Grammar Seek grammatical clarity and simplicity as well as correctness. Pay attention to the noun objects, e.g., A system, the developers, an organization Be ruthless with verb noun agreement in tense and plural vs. singular use. To whom or what does your pronoun refer? They were… --WHO were??

Professor Truex Feedback (3) : Logical flow Seek parsimony and clarity Do you include the five W’s (Who, what, why, when and where) Should you write in the “royal ‘We’? Carefully consider the issue of verb tense: past, present, future, future perfect ALL claims must be supported by warrants to the claim’s efficacy and correctness! Go to the theories of argumentation web site Go to the theories web site To whom or what does your pronoun refer? They were… --WHO were?? Limit the use of buzz words and abbreviations (and always make abbreviations clear when they are used)

Professor Truex Toulmin's Layout of Argumentation 1.Rhetorical instantiation of principles derived from formal logic

Professor Truex

Feedback (4) – Rhetorical and Style points Make a bridge or transition between paragraphs Support points/claims Beware of gratuitous throw-away and filler statements like: As everybody knows (they don’t) It is obvious or obviously (It rarely is ‘obvious’) It is common knowledge that… The general assumption is…. Most parenthetical phrases (you know the added mid sentence material) appear to be after thoughts. If it is important enough to include make it a separate sentence. Otherwise dump it.

Professor Truex Feedback (5) –Document format and style Not bullets but full sentences in well-formed paragraphs 12 pt type, double space between paragraphs. Make it visibly easy on the reader’s eye.

Professor Truex Feedback (6) -- Rhetorical points Make a transition between paragraphs Support points/claims Don’t assume that the reader will follow, lead her. Beware of gratuitous throw-away and filler statements like: As everybody knows (they don’t) It is obvious or obviously (It rarely is ‘obvious’) It is inevitable, right like the stock market will keep going up