1. Argumentation

2. What is Argumentation?
A mode of writing intended to gain a reader’s agreement using the powers of reasoning or logic.
A spoken, written or visual text that expresses a point of view.
Point of view is often termed the assertion/claim
Arguments are supported by evidence.
Evidence may include examples, personal experience, statistics, research, expert testimony, etc.

3. Claim: the basis of Argumentation
Claim = an assertion of truth; a thesis—needs to be contentious; a statement taking a position on your topic; a claim that you want accepted
The TEST of a CLAIM:
Controversiality=The claim should state a thesis that is potentially disputable rather than one about which most people would agree.
Clarity=The claim should be clearly and precisely stated; ambiguous terms and double-barreled claims should be avoided.
Balance=The claim should be stated in objective, neutral language rather than in a way that reveals the personal biases or prejudices of the person making the claim.
Challenge=The claim should confront an audience’s prevailing beliefs, values, or state of affairs.
ex. A 4 Runner is a type of Toyota.

4. Contention=good!
The U.S. needs to drastically slash public funding in order to reduce the deficit.
contentious issue.
We will be reading about, thinking about, and arguing about pretty much any contemporary issue
Disagreements and honesty are good; personal attacks are not.
Maturity is the one thing you must ALWAYS bring to class.

5. CLAIM: Sierra Vista High School should start at 8:45am rather than 7:50am.
SVHS should start later because all teenagers stay up late on their computers and so need the time to sleep in in the morning.
SVHS should start later in the day because a study from the Journal of Education states that 14 to 18-year-olds’ brains respond very poorly to stimuli early in the morning.

6. How is Argumentation different than Persuasion?
Argument lends itself to the evidence and reason to arrive at a shade of the truth; Persuasion aims to change the reader’s mind and often calls for action
Argumentation is reasonable, persuasion is emotional
Argument is not about winning; aims to gain the acceptance of the audience.

7. Why is Argumentation important?
SAT/ACT
AP Language and Composition (as well as many other AP courses)
College and University courses
Careers like Business, Sales, and even scientific proposals and findings

8. Argument Texts Written-letters, speeches, essays, poetry
Spoken-speeches, news commentary, song lyrics, sermons,
Visual-film, posters, advertisements, political/editorial cartoons, photographs

9. What is Rhetoric? We argue through RHETORIC.
Historically, rhetoric is the art of persuasion
For our purposes, RHETORIC is the power of language and its effects
The essence of rhetoric is built upon Aristotle’s rhetorical triangle-logos, ethos, pathos
The rhetorical triangle may be represented as the relationship between speaker(ethos), audience(pathos), and text(logos).

10. The Rhetorical Triangle .... (according to Aristotle)
SPEAKER/ETHOS
AUDIENCE/PATHOS
SUBJECT/LOGOS

11. AUDIENCE Know “intended” and “invoked” readers (research this)
Remember that your audience will probably be varied - so avoid quick assumptions about what they do or do not think. Be careful not to generalize too much.
Audience: Get the wrong one and you’re doomed.
Connect to them through modes, examples, wording, etc =PATHOS

12. SUBJECT Treat the subject matter fairly, fully and effectively=LOGOS
You decide what to include based on why you are writing (purpose) and to whom you are writing (audience)
You generate the material for support
Subject needs to meet criteria of the Claim Test

13. SPEAKER/WRITER How to Establish Credibility:
Demonstrate Knowledge
Highlight Shared Values - Find a shared value and use it.
Refer to Common Experiences - I remember when… Use references that the audience can remember.
Build Common Ground - using pronouns can include or exclude readers and define the intended audience.
Respect Readers
Aka-ETHOS!!!!!!!!

14. Concession Conceding does not mean going 50/50
You need to address ALL aspects and give partial credit to different points of view and information
You are never 100% correct, so someone else must have some valid point—acknowledge it.
Throughout your essay in small bits
One section
Always end pushing your point though