Refutation

Purpose To challenge someone else’s argument. –This can involve a specific written argument (which is what we’re doing with the Postman text) OR –This can involve challenging a prevailing belief or attitude (which is what some of you did with your empirical arguments)

Guidelines Read accurately- if you misunderstand a premise or claim you will be guilty of making a STRAW MAN argument, or imaginary argument. Pinpoint the specific flaws: –Faulty claims –Insufficient, unreliable, or irrelevant evidence –Faulty assumptions connecting claim and evidence

Guidelines Write a thesis that addresses the weakness to be challenged. Write your essay in the following format: 1.State, accurately and fairly, the main points of the argument to be refuted. (I suggest a little context- setting as well). 2.Make your specific attack (ie, you might assert that Postman has not proven his claim because the evidence is outdated, or that that it rests on an unacceptable definition, or he has simply come to an incorrect conclusion (logic issue). 3.Your refutation– see next slide

Your refutation (part 3) Depending on the nature of your disagreement, you must demonstrate clearly that Postman isn’t quite right about something and that his argument is in jeopardy. –If challenging evidence, present new evidence to explain why his is unreliable or misleading –If challenging assumptions, explain why they don’t hold up –If challenging logic, discuss better way to think about the issue.