Arguments What are we talking about?

What do we mean? An argument is not a fight or a quarrel. An argument is not a fight or a quarrel. It can be a pleasurable experience It can be a pleasurable experience It is not a debate It is not a debate Think of it as a group of reasonable persons seeking the best solution to a problem Think of it as a group of reasonable persons seeking the best solution to a problem

Implicit or Explicit Argument can be implicit or explicit Argument can be implicit or explicit An explicit argument states directly controversial claims and supports them with reason and evidence An explicit argument states directly controversial claims and supports them with reason and evidence An implicit argument doesn’t look like an argument An implicit argument doesn’t look like an argument It might be a song, poem, story, etc. It might be a song, poem, story, etc.

Features of an argument An argument requires a justification of claims An argument requires a justification of claims It is not sufficient to simply give reasons without justification It is not sufficient to simply give reasons without justification An argument is both a process and a product An argument is both a process and a product It is a “living” entity that changes the participants It is a “living” entity that changes the participants An argument combines truth seeking and persuasion An argument combines truth seeking and persuasion This is a continuum that we the participants must balance This is a continuum that we the participants must balance

What is the purpose? The blend of truth seeking and persuasion asks the question, what are we trying to do? The blend of truth seeking and persuasion asks the question, what are we trying to do? Are we trying to get the best solution? Are we trying to get the best solution? Or “win” the argument? Or “win” the argument?

Class activity Activity 1 Activity 1 Mosh pit brain damage Mosh pit brain damage Activity 2 Activity 2 Homeless ban Homeless ban Both on page 14 of Writing Arguments Both on page 14 of Writing Arguments