1. Lecture 10 - ARGUMENT

2. All information has a perspective.
Don’t be a sponge !
Question, question, question
Get more information
Interpret and assess information (None is neutral.)
Get other perspectives
Construct ideas
Reach conclusions

3. Influences
Reason
Passion
Prejudice
Customs

4. Why people argue: To win! To understand To create change
To reach a decision
To explore an issue

5. Arguable Statements Address a problem Ask a question
Present a position with varying perspectives
An argumentative thesis is an arguable thesis
Ex. A statement about what is…
Drug abuse is out of control.
Ex. A claim about what ought to be…
Aids should be given first priority among
health issues.

6. Ways to Convince the Reader
Establish credibility by:
What you know
Establish common ground
Fairness and logic
Do not:
Distort evidence
Misquote
Misrepresent opposing views

7. Syllogism – The simplest form of a deductive argument
3 Parts:
Major Premise
All men are mortal.
Minor Premise
Socrates is a man.
Conclusion
Therefore, Socrates is mortal.

8. Logical Fallacies – Errors in formal reasoning.
1. Begging the question – Assuming – I am in college because that is the right thing to do. Dogs are a menace to people because they are dangerous. (Arguing in a circle) 2. Non Sequitor – A false analogy/It does not follow – I’ve lived in this town a long time. My father was the firs mayor, so I’m against cleaning up the drinking water.

9. 3. Post Hoc – Cause and Effect (Because of this) Ever since the city suspended height restrictions on skyscrapers, the city budget has been balanced. 4. Either/Or Fallacy – Black or White/Over- A problem has one of only two possible solutions; either we ban abortions or the population will decline. 5. Hasty Generalization – Too few examples – Women are too emotional to run for president.

10. 6. Oversimplification – the government should ship all child abusers to China! Appeal to Emotion Through: Description (vivids) (senses) Concrete Language Full of Emotion Show don’t tell Use figurative language: Metaphors, Similes Analogies, Personification It helps reader visualize.

11. Emotional Fallacies – Appeal to reader’s emotions.
1. Bandwagon Appeal – Join in – Flattery – In-crowd Appeal – Identify with a group 2. Veiled Threats – “You’ll suffer if you don’t agree!!”

12. Ethical Fallacies – Attack a person’s character
1. Ad Hominem – Attacking character instead of the issue 2. Guilt by Association – Unfairly linked with someone or something considered bad 3. Appeal to Logic – Examples Precedents Cite authority & testimony Establish causes and effects Use inductive & deductive reasoning

13. Organizing an Argument
The Classical System Introduction Background Lines of Argument – Reasons: Logical and emotional appeals, Order of importance, Readers best interest Alternative Argument – Other points of view, advantages, and disadvantages Conclusion – Summarizes, implications, call to action, strong ethical or emotional appeal

14. The Toulmin System:
Present your claim Qualify your claim Series of reasons to support your claim Explain underlying assumptions Provide evidence Acknowledge & respond to the other side Draw a conclusion