1. Everything’s An Argument
Lessons

2. Do Now Feb 3
You have 15 min to take the practice test.

3. Are You Vague? Fix the following sentences to eliminate vagueness:
In this way, the author uses irony to support his purpose.
As one can see, the use of diction makes the reader feel something.
The article has description that gives out the author’s purpose.
The author’s purpose is to inform us about handicaps/ race/ size in the media.

4. Rules For Writing---Check Your Own
If a sentence could apply to many different pieces of writing---make that sentence more specific.
If you talk about diction and you do not talk about specific single words, you are doing it wrong---change that.
If you talk about pathos, and you do not name the specific emotion being evoked----fix it.
If you do not tell us what the purpose/motive actually is, why are you writing? --- do that.
Every purpose should come with a value judgment. The author has an opinion about the subject, or he wouldn’t be writing. Make sure you have told us how the author feels about the issue.

5. Do Now Feb 4 How do you structure an argument?
In other words, when you have written an argument essay in the past, how did you outline it?

6. Cornell Note Time: Classical Argument
Exordium
Narratio
Partitio
Confirmatio
Refutatio
Peroratio
Hook & Credibility
Facts & Context
Claim & Reasons
Evidence & Reasoning
Counter Arg & Refutation
Summary & Call to Action

7. An Example
Read Bittman’s Article “Why Take Food Seriously” on p 779 in Everything’s an Argument.
Label 6 sticky-notes with the six parts of the Classical Argument, and place them in the appropriate parts of the text.
Hook & Credibility Evidence & Reasoning
Facts & Context Counter Arg & Refutation
Claim & Reasons 6. Summary & Call to Action

8. Exordium in Detail Gain’s reader’s interest Establishes qualifications
Hook & Credibility
Where it is in Text
Gain’s reader’s interest
Establishes qualifications
Establishes common ground with reader
Demonstrates author’s fairness
States the claim.

9. Narratio in Detail Presents necessary context (definitions/
Facts and Context
Where it is in Text
Presents necessary context (definitions/
background)
Provides a personal or historical narrative relating to or outlining case

10. Partitio and Confirmatio in Detail
Claims & Reasons, Support & Logic
Where it is in Text
States a thesis
Provides hard evidence
Lays out logical reasoning

11. Refutatio in Detail Examines other POVs and opposing arguments
Counter Argument & Refutation
Where it is in Text
Examines other POVs and opposing arguments
Notes the advantages/
disadvantages of these views
Explains why author’s view is better

12. Peroratio in Detail Summarizes argument
Summary & Call to Action
Where it is in Text
Summarizes argument
Elaborates on implications of the claim
Makes clear what the audience should do
Reinforces credibility or emotional appeal

13. EXIT SLIP:
Please List
1 thing you learned 1 thing you still have questions about 1 comment about the lesson

14. Do Now 2/5---Examine some food arguments & pick a side:
We should Go Local!
We should Go Global!
Eliminates use of fossil fuels needed for long travel
Improves health by not requiring as many preservatives
Improves taste because of freshness
Stimulates local economy
Solves world food shortages in areas hit by disaster
Improves health by offering more food variety
Improves taste because of more variety
Stimulates world economy

15. Creating your own Classical Argument
Using the Articles on pp , research the benefits and drawbacks to each side of the Locavore/globavore movements

16. Collect your evidence: pp. 779-830
My Side:
Their Side:
Benefits Evidence pg
Drawbacks Evidence

17. Organize Your Argument: Start in the Middle
2. Claim & Reasons
State your Thesis and Reasons
3. Evidence & Reasoning
State your Reasons
Give your evidence
Explain how the evidence proves the reason

18. Organize Your Argument: Go to the top
Hook & Credibility
Why should the audience care—how immediate/important is this issue?
Why are you qualified to talk about this?
How are you like your reader/audience?
Facts & Context
What terms does the audience need to know?
What background information is necessary in order to understand this topic/your claims?

19. Organize Your Argument: Go to the Bottom
Counter Argument & Refutation
What might the other side say that could be valid?
Why is your side more important/a bigger deal/ more correct than the other side?
Summary & Call to Action
So, what should your audience take away from your argument? (What is the most important information?)
What do you want your audience to do with that information?
What will happen if they don’t do it?

20. Homework
Fill in the Outline with details/what you would say if delivering a classic argument

21. EXIT SLIP:
Please List
1 thing you learned 1 thing you still have questions about 1 comment about the lesson

22. What you had to say
Comments
Questions

23. Go Local People Sit by Windows Go Global People Sit by Computers
Share your outlines. Decide who will read with part of the classical argument in the debate.
Do Now: 2/6

24. Everyone should buy only locally sourced food.
Debate!

25. Proposal: Everyone should buy only locally sourced food.
AFF: 7 min opening
NEG: 5 min CrossX
NEG: 7 min opening
AFF: 5 min CrossX
Time to Discuss Counter Arguments
NEG: 4 min closing
AFF: 4 min closing
Both teams have 4 mins prep time to use as they wish
Debate!
Proposal: Everyone should buy only locally sourced food.

26. Developing Counter Arguments
Three Stages to Counter Argument:
Acknowledgment
Accommodation
Refutation

27. Acknowledgement
a paraphrase, with useful examples from an argument posed by your opponents
proof to your audience that you can understand and clarify the other side of the issue
The other side argues/states….
What they are saying is…/To clarify, this is…

28. Accommodation to Avoid Straw Man
a statement conceding to the merit in the character and values of the arguer/argument fairly
establishes common ground, with empathy
points out logic, values, interpretations, motivations that you respect in the opposing argument
is careful to agree ONLY IN PART with the opponent
My opponent would be right if…/the argument might work if…
We all want…
My opponent rightly hopes that…/wishes for…/ is good to want…
But they are only correct if/where…, and unfortunately…

29. Refutation of points in Acknowledgment
Argue against the opponent
Subvert the choice of criteria used the opponent
Subverts logic or questions the values in the opposing argument.
Explain how your points counter-act their points
Argue Credibility/ interpretations of sources
Argues definitions, morality, magnitude or logic

30. Homework
Revise/Add to your counter-argument. Complete a written argument about the locavore or globavore movement.

31. You have 15 mins to complete your test.
Do Now: 2/10
You have 15 mins to complete your test.

32. Essay Issues

33. What is wrong with this argument?
Emily Littel
Do Now 2/11
What is wrong with this argument?

34. Rogerian Argument
Willingness to think about opposing positions and describe them fairly
Introduction: Description of an issue or problem
Contexts: A full discussion of the circumstances where your opponent’s argument will work or be valid.
Your position: You finally present your side, and explain which circumstances make your side possible.
Benefits: Explain how your opponent will benefit from agreeing with you.

35. An Example
Read Royte’s Excerpt from “Bottlemania” on p 834 in Everything’s an Argument.
Label 4 sticky-notes with the four parts of the Rogerian Argument, and place them in the appropriate parts of the text.
Introduction of the topic
Contexts of the opponents’ arguments
Contexts of author’s argument
Benefits of adopting author’s argument

36. Introduction in Detail
The Facts
Where it is in Text
Establishes common ground with reader
Defines Terms
Provides historical background
Demonstrates author’s fairness

37. Opponent’s Argument in Detail
Contexts
Where it is in Text
Paraphrases opponent’s argument (s)
Explains
When,
With whom,
How, or
Where
the argument could be valid or work

38. Author’s Argument in Detail
Contexts
Where it is in the text
Introducing the primary claim
Explains
When,
With whom,
How, or
Where
the argument will be valid or work

39. Benefits of Adopting Primary Claim
Why the Author is Right
Lay out the benefits to the opponent if the primary claim is adopted
Provides the drawbacks to the opponent if the primary claim is not adopted.

40. EXIT SLIP:
Please List
1 thing you learned 1 thing you still have questions about 1 comment about the lesson

41. Creating your own Rogerian Argument
Pick one of the topics we have debated this year, and write a Rogerian style argument.

42. Reflections on Roger: What did you think?
Do Now: 2/13
Reflections on Roger:
What did you think?