Calvin and Hobbes

 Not all arguments are explicitly stated.  When looking at this comic strip, pay attention to not only what Calvin literally says but what Hobbes implies.

 This strip has two arguments: the character’s argument (Calvin’s) and the artist’s argument (Hobbes’).

 Take a minute to write down what you think the arguments are.

 The artist is using humor to make a point (in this case, through exaggeration).

 The argument literally stated by the characters are rarely the artist’s actual argument.

 The artist often leaves visual clues hinting at his or her true argument: ◦ Background details ◦ Foreground details ◦ Character expressions ◦ Etc.

 When breaking down any argument, it helps to move from big picture things to small picture things.

 Big Picture Analysis ◦ What the characters are saying (claim) ◦ What the characters aren’t saying (claim) ◦ Why the characters are saying what they are (reasons/foundations)

 Small Picture Analysis ◦ What foreground details did the artist include? ◦ What background details did the artist include? ◦ What kinds of facial expressions did the artist use on his or her characters? ◦ How did the characters say what they did?

 Take a minute to look at your ideas about the arguments. ◦ Have they changed any? ◦ Can you add anything to them? ◦ Remove/change anything?

 Let’s look at the big picture analysis of the Calvin and Hobbes comic strip…

 What is Calvin claiming?

 We should always have high self-esteem, so we should lower our expectations so we can always meet them.

 What are some of the reasons behind this claim?

 Some potential reasons: ◦ Expecting too much of ourselves damages our self- esteem. ◦ Expecting mediocrity means that any time we go above that standard, we receive higher self-esteem. ◦ Why put in more effort than strictly necessary?

 Some potential foundations: ◦ Expecting too much of ourselves damages our self- esteem  …because, if we fail to achieve our high goals, we don’t feel good about ourselves.

 Some potential foundations: ◦ Expecting mediocrity means that any time we meet or exceed that standard, we receive higher self- esteem.  …because mediocrity means everyone succeeds.

 Some potential foundations: ◦ Why put in more effort than strictly necessary  …because if something is good enough, there’s no reason to continue.

 Keep in mind that this is the literal argument in this comic strip.  Now, let’s dig a little deeper and see what the artist’s real claim is.

 Spend a minute thinking about what the artist is really trying to say in this comic strip.

 Encouraging mediocrity for the sake of an inflated self-esteem is not good for the country.

 What indicates that this is the artist’s main claim?  Think on this for a minute and discuss it with your neighbor.

 Signs of the Artist’s True Argument: ◦ Hobbes’ counterstatements ◦ The incomplete snowman ◦ The exaggerated emphasis on Calvin’s argument

 What are Hobbes’/the artist’s reasons for his claim?

 Potential Reasons: ◦ Mediocrity does not produce the kind of innovation a country needs to remain competitive. ◦ Mediocrity is bad for business.

 Potential Foundations: ◦ Mediocrity does not produce the kind of innovation a country needs to remain competitive.  …because innovation, particularly technological innovation, is vital to many of our industries.  …because non-innovative countries fall behind innovative ones.  …etc.

 Potential Foundations: ◦ Mediocrity is bad for business.  …because businesses which can’t keep us with customer demand go out of business.  …because mediocre employees lead to mediocre products and services.  …etc.

 Things to observe: ◦ The unfinished snowman ◦ Calvin’s apparent pride in his unfinished snowman ◦ Hobbes’ less than enthusiastic expression in the last box

 Things to observe: ◦ The way that Calvin connects homework to self- esteem ◦ Hobbes’ counterarguments  His negative interpretation of Calvin’s statements  Hobbes saying, “Remind me to invest overseas.”

 There are many potential reasons and foundations behind a claim, so it can be hard to tell at times why an author/artist claimed what he or she did.

 That said, however, we can still get a pretty good idea with thorough enough analysis.

 Arguments are not always straightforward.

 Also, arguments are often supported by unstated reasoning.

 When analyzing an argument, like analyzing sources, start with big picture items (what was being said) and move to smaller picture items (how things were being said).

 Thoroughly analyzing an argument takes time and requires a lot of attention to detail.

 Analyzing arguments, like analyzing sources, is impacted by your own personality, background, biases, etc.  That said, however, it is possible to get the gist of a claim and its reasons and foundations.