Robert Trapp, Willamette University Basics of Argumentation 2010 Advocacy Institute International Debate Education Association and Willamette University

Agenda Structure of an Argument – Evidence – Reason – Claim – Reservation Making an Argument Proposition Case Opposition and Refutation

Structure of an Argument Claim: The basic point that an arguer wishes to make. A single point. Does not include a “because.” Evidence: The data upon which an argument is constructed. Reason: Statements (explicit or implicit) that connect the evidence to the claim. Reservation: Instances when the arguer suggests the claim should not be supported.

Model of an Argument Evidence Claim Reason Reservation

Example of a Simple Argument Temperatures in the Arctic have increased during the last 187 years, but especially in recent years Global climate change is influenced by human activity Temperature increase is correlated with human activity

Making an Argument State your claim Explain your evidence Explain your reasoning Restate your claim

Model of a Linked Argument Evidence Claim Reason Reservation Evidence

Example of a Linked Argument Human activity increases production and consumption of energy Human activity influences global climate change. Logical combination of 1 and 2 Production and consumption of energy influences global climate change

Model of an Independent Argument Evidence Claim Reason Reservation Evidence

Example of an Independent Argument Avg. global surface temperature Global climate change is influenced by human activity Avg. global sea level N. hemisphere snow cover Evidence correlated to climate change

Proposition A proposition functions just like a claim. A proposition is the ultimate or final claim that an arguer wishes to make. Proposition Argument 1 Argument 2

Case A case, simply defined, is one or more arguments offered to support a proposition.

Opposition Opposition, simply defined, is the presentation of one or more arguments against the proposition.

Refutation Refutation is a process of deconstructing and criticizing the arguments opposing the arguer’s case.

Summary Choose the better and discard the worse Generate arguments better than either of the original Argument Construction Argument Refutation