1. Overview of Argumentation

2. Define your Topic
CAN YOU ANSWER ALL OF THE BELOW WITH A “YES”? If so, proceed.
Do I know what my topic is?
Is the topic suitable for the length I am planning to write?
Do I have an opinion on the topic?
Would anyone disagree with my opinion?
Can I hope to persuade others to agree with my opinion?
Can I support my opinion with evidence?

3. Understanding Audience
Your teacher
Your peers
Your community
Remember:
Assume the audience will disagree with you
Imagine a skeptical audience
Understanding audience helps determine
if and/or how many concessions you offer
the types of examples given
language

4. Defining your terms Clarify your terms and use words carefully
Don’t rely on dictionary definitions, instead try the following strategies:
Give synonyms
Compare the term with other words that it might be confused with, offering how they differ
Define by showing what it is NOT
Provide examples
You could write an entire essay, simply defining a term.

5. Activity Choose one of the words or terms below:
Affirmative action
Alcoholism
Child abuse
Civil rights
Family
Success
Middle class
Liberal
Conservative
Society
Real world
Education
Progress
Feminism
Then, begin planning an essay in which you will define what that word means without simply using a dictionary definition.
ESSAY: Due in class on Monday

6. Arrangement Remember the 5 Canons?
Invention
Arrangement
Style
Memory
Delivery
These mainly relate to speech, but are also important in general argument. Especially arrangement
How the argument is structured and organized

7. Classical Arrangement
Introduction (Exordium)
Urge audience to consider your case
Statement of Background (Narratio)
Provide key facts and background
Proposition (Partitio)
Divides, or partitions, argument categories (part focuses on information versus reasoning); state the position you are taking
Proof (Confimatio)
Make your case
Refutation (Refutatio)
Anticipate and refute key oppositions
Conclusion (Peroratio)
Summarize important points and make a final appeal to values and feelings

8. Rogerian Arrangement Based on psychological studies of Carl Rogers
Introduction
State the problem you hope to resolve
Summary of opposing views
Accurately and neutrally state views of the opposition
Statement of understanding
Show understanding of how those opposing views may be valid (concession)
Statement of your position
You should now be in an ideal position to share your views to an open-minded audience
Statement of contexts
Share situations in which your views are valid (similar to what you did in statement of understanding for opposing views)

9. Listening Activity In partners, choose one of the following topics:
Gun control
Abortion
Standardized testing
Legalization of drugs
Gay marriage
Take turns each expressing your views on the topic (one person talks, the other only listens), then the listener should try and accurately, without commentary, restate what your partner said. The switch!
Avoid bias
Try and really listen
So what I heard you say is…
So your thought is…correct?
If they were correct, great. If not, restate your position again to clarify.