Position Papers Comm Arts II Mr. Wreford

Position Papers  Identifying the Elements of Arguments Claims Claims Reasons Reasons Appeals (logical, emotional, ethical) Appeals (logical, emotional, ethical) Evidence Evidence

Position Papers  Logical Appeals Is the argument reasonable? Is the argument reasonable? Is the evidence credible? Is the evidence credible? Are the reasons valid? Are the reasons valid? Has the writer anticipated and responded to questions people are likely to ask or objections they are likely to raise? Has the writer anticipated and responded to questions people are likely to ask or objections they are likely to raise?

Position Papers  Emotional Appeals Why should I care about this topic? Why should I care about this topic? Does the topic affect me personally? Does the topic affect me personally? Does the topic affect people or issues that I feel strongly about? Does the topic affect people or issues that I feel strongly about?

Position Papers  Ethical Appeals Do I trust the person making this argument? Do I trust the person making this argument? Do I detect any biases that make this person’s argument seem weak or suspect? Do I detect any biases that make this person’s argument seem weak or suspect? Does this seem like someone who shares my interests and values? Does this seem like someone who shares my interests and values?

Position Papers  Imagine you have received a ticket for parking illegally on campus.  The time on your parking meter had expired.  The parking regulations state that motorists may not be responsible for violations caused by circumstances beyond their control.

Position Papers  Claim: “I shouldn’t have to pay the fine.”  Reason: The Parking Office assumes that people should not be held responsible for actions that are genuinely beyond their control.  Evidence: A receipt showing you paid a mechanic to jump-start your car at the time and location where you received the ticket.

Position Papers  Opinions in Context Audience Audience Circumstances Circumstances Purpose Purpose

Position Papers  Exercise: To make sure you’re comfortable with the terminology and structure of arguments, identify a value that your parents accept. Then construct a three-step argument that contains reasons and evidence in support of the claim: To make sure you’re comfortable with the terminology and structure of arguments, identify a value that your parents accept. Then construct a three-step argument that contains reasons and evidence in support of the claim: “I should have a car.”“I should have a car.”