1. STEP 9 ARGUMENT p. 363 Mrs. Elizabeth Celeste Coiman-Lopez, BAT., MS.
Houston Community College – Fall 2018

2. A good ARGUMENT is a rational discussion in which each person advances and supports a point of view about some matter.
One person listens carefully as the other person states the case and waits to see if the later has a solid evidence to support the point of view.
We might argue about:
Where to eat or what movie to go to.
A boss, a parent, or an instructor is acting in a fair or unfair manner.
Whether certain performers or sports stars deserve to get paid as much as they do.
DEFINITION p. 363

3. Argumentation is part of our everyday dealings with people.
It is an important part of what we read.
Authors often try to convince us (persuade) of their opinions and interpretations.
As Critical Readers we must do 3 things:
POINT: recognize the point the author is making.
RELEVANT: decide if the author’s support is relevant (related)
ADEQUATE: decide if the author’s support is adequate (sufficient)
DEFINITION p. 364

4. #1. POINT AND SUPPORT OF AN ARGUMENT p. 364
In everyday life, people don’t simply say: “Here is my point” and “Here is my support.”
To evaluate the argument, you need to recognize its point and support.
“WHAT’S THE POINT?”
A GOOD ARGUMENT: is one in which you make a point and then provide persuasive and logical evidence to back it up.
POINT: The Beef and Burger Shop is a poor fast-food restaurant.
Reasons or Support:
The burgers are full of gristle.
The roast beef sandwiches have a chemical taste.
The fries are lukewarm and soggy.
Read next example p
PRACTICE 1 - P
#1. POINT AND SUPPORT OF AN ARGUMENT p. 364

5. #2. RELEVANT SUPPORT OF AN ARGUMENT p. 367
After identifying the POINT, you need to decide if each piece of evidence is RELEVANT – if it applies or related to the point.
IS THIS REASON RELEVANT SUPPORT FOR THE ARGUMENT?
Develop a POINT-SUPPORT OUTLINE:
POINT:
____ Reason 1.
____ Reason 2.
____ Reason 3.
____ Reason 4.
Then find the relevant reasons.
PRACTICE P
The POINT in a Paragraph:
The POINT or MAIN IDEA is most of the time stated in the first sentence of the paragraph.
Any statement that doesn’t help prove this point is IRRELEVANT.
PRACTICE P
#2. RELEVANT SUPPORT OF AN ARGUMENT p. 367

6. A valid argument must include relevant support but also ADEQUATE amount of support – enough to prove the point.
Arguing a point that doesn’t have adequate support is called “JUMPING TO CONCLUSION”.
PRACTICE 4 and P
ARGUMENT IN TEXTBOOK WRITING:
Arguments are well-developed ideas or theories (in other words, POINTS) that are supported with experiments, surveys, studies, expert testimony, reasons, examples, or other evidence.
Generally they have solid support.
By recognizing the author’s point and asking yourself whether the support is relevant and adequate will help you be an INVOLVED AND CRITICAL READER.
#3. ADEQUATE SUPPORT p. 372