Argument and Persuasion “the art of influencing others, through the medium of reasoned discourse, to believe or act as we wish them to believe or act.”

Argument consists of: Three Parts ClaimSupportWarrant

Example Claim: Laws making marijuana illegal should be repealed. Support: People should have the right to use any substance they wish. Warrant: No law should prevent citizens from exercising their rights.

The Claim (proposition). Answers the question “What are you trying to prove?” It may appear as the thesis statement All claims must be supported.

Examples of Claims Today there is more pressure placed on students to do well in school…this new pressure is what is causing the increase in cheating.-- Colleen Wenke Racial profiling is an ugly business…But I’m not opposed to allowing-no, requiring- airlines to pay close attention to passengers who fit a terrorist profile, which includes national origin.—Linda Chavez Your Own

The Support Evidence must support claims. Evidence is subcategorized according to how it is used to support the claim. Evidence that focuses on our ability to think is classified as rational appeal, evidence that focuses on our ability to 'feel' is emotional appeal, and evidence that focuses on our ability to trust those we find to be credible is ethical appeal.

The Appeals : Reasons that move an audience to accept a belief or adopt a course of action. Logos- Logical Appeals Pathos- Emotional Appeals Ethos- Ethical Appeals

Rational Appeals Evidence that consists of: facts case studies statistics experiments logical reasoning analogies anecdotes

Emotional Appeals: Evidence appealing to The Higher Emotions 1. altruism 2. love 3. patriotism 4. compassion 5. pride The Base Emotions 1. greed 2. lust 3. fear 4. vanity 5. hatred

Ethical Appeals Refers to how well the writer presents herself Trustworthiness Credibility 1. expert testimony 2. reliable sources 3. fairness

President 2009 Obama’s Inaugural Address " I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition. Which Appeal? a) Ethosb) Logosc) Pathos

President Obama’s 2009 Inaugural Address “Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends — honesty and hard work, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism — these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history.” Which Appeal? a) Ethosb) Logosc) Pathos

President 2009 Inaugural Address “Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Which Appeal? a) Ethosb) Logosc) Pathos

The Warrant An inference, assumption, belief or principle that is taken for granted. A guarantee of reliability, it allows the reader to make the connection between the support and the claim. Answers the question 'Why does that data mean your claim is true?'

Example Claim You should use a hearing aid. Support Over 70% of all people over 65 years have a hearing difficulty. Warrant A hearing aid helps most people to hear better. Your own example.

Problems in Argument: Logical Fallacies Argumentum Ad Hominem To attack the person instead of the argument; abusive (name-calling); circumstantial (attack on person’s race, sex, religion, age, job, etc Don't listen to him. He's just an old fossil. Of course he's for affirmative action. He's African American. Of course she's for increasing school taxes. She's a teacher.

Problems in Argument: Logical Fallacies Non Sequitur An inference or conclusion that does not follow from the premises or evidence. A statement that does not follow logically from what preceded it. The man was acquitted because he was innocent.

Problems in Argument: Logical Fallacies The “bandwagon” approach--it is correct because it is popular. (You should be doing it because everyone is doing it.) -designer clothes/fads -everyone believes a rumor about a student -peer pressure (smoking, drinking, drugs, sex) -It used to be a popular idea that sailing too far west meant you'd fall off the edge of the earth.

Problems in Argument: Logical Fallacies Circular Reasoning Assuming your conclusion as your proof; also where two things are seen as the cause and effect of each other. ALSO CALLED Begging the Question. --This student failed the test because he is dumb; he is dumb because he failed the test. --Dogs are a menace to people because they are dangerous.

Problems in Argument: Logical Fallacies Hasty Generalization: To generalize based upon only a few examples. --I will not eat at McDonald’s when there are teenagers there because they will be loud; I know they will be loud because another time when I ate at McDonald’s there were teenagers present, and they were loud. --Women are too emotional to fight in combat.

Problems in Argument: Logical Fallacies Faulty Analogy: A claim that two things that are alike in some respects must be alike in other respects. --Medical Student: “No one objects to a physician’s looking up a difficult case in medical books. Why, then, shouldn’t students taking a difficult examination be permitted to use their textbooks?”

Other Considerations Logic: Induction/deduction Audience: direct message to a specific group Concession to the Opposition Acknowledgement/Understanding of opposing issue Language: avoid clichés Call to Action