Writing Arguments

Argument as Inquiry

Using Evidence Effectively

Argument Synthesis

Argument is not a fight or a quarrel

creative & productive activity

engages high levels of inquiry and critical thinking

often in conversation with liked and respected people

Argument is not a Pro-Con Debate

desire for truth

aims to find best solution to complex problem

goal isn’t to win a game; goal is to find and promote best belief or course of action

Arguments can be explicit or implicit

explicit directly states its controversial claim and supports it with reasons and evidence

implicit is opposite (pic, slogans, etc)

both used to persuade

Arguments requires justification of its claims

must meet two conditions

1. set of two+ conflicting assertions

2. attempt to resolve conflict through an appeal to reason

must clarify and support reasons

Argument and the Problem of Truth

does not mean finding “right answer” to disputed question

means determining “best answer” or “best solution” for the good of entire community when all stakeholders are considered

means argument does not “prove” claim but only makes reasonable case for claim

opinion based upon examination of all evidence

Every thesis prompts an opposing thesis (antithesis)

Conflict between these views leads to a new claim (synthesis)

Synthesis incorporates aspects of both views

Think of a creative way to illustrate/explain the relationship between thesis, antithesis, and synthesis

Using Evidence Effectively

Sufficiency

Typicality

Accuracy

Relevance

Sufficiency

The more contested a claim or the more an audience is skeptical, the more evidence is needed

Don’t make argument overly long and tedious with too much evidence

Word your claim so that audience supports it

Typicality

Evidence should be typical and representative rather than an extreme instance

Accuracy

Evidence can’t be used ethically unless it is accurate and up-to-date

Evidence can’t be persuasive unless the audience believes in the writer’s credibility (ethos)

Relevance

Argument: “I deserve an A because I worked exceptionally hard.”

Provides evidence of how hard he worked, but not why he deserves an A.

Data from

Personal experience Insufficient (hasty generalization), not typical, not

adequately scientific or verifiable

Observation/field research Flaws in how observations were conducted, showing

how data are insufficient, inaccurate, or nontypical

Interviews, questionnaires, surveys Raise doubts about research methodology,

questionnaire design, or typicality of interview subjects

Library or internet research Raise doubts about sufficiency, typicality, or relevance

Testimony Question credentials of source, show source’s bias, or

quotes a countersource

Statistical data Question methods, research design, interpretation of

data

Hypothetical examples, cases, & scenarios Show implausibility of scenario or offer an alternative

scenario

Reasoned sequence of ideas Point to different values or outline different

consequences

What personal experiences have you had with this issue? What details from your life or the lives of your friends, acquaintances, or relatives might serve as examples or other kinds of evidence?

What observational studies would be relevant to this issue?

What people could you interview to provide insights or expert knowledge on this issue?

What questions about your issue could be addressed in a survey or questionnaire?

What useful information on this issue might encyclopedias, specialized reference books, or the regular book collection in your university library provide?

What evidence might you seek on this issue using licensed database indexing sources for magazines, newspapers, and scholarly journals?

How might an Internet search engine help you research this issue?

What evidence might you find on this issue from reliable statistical resources such as US Census Bureau data, the Centers for Disease Control, or Statistical Abstract of the US?

Written discussion that draws on multiple sources

Must infer relationships among sources Before inferring relationships must be able to

summarize

Must go beyond summary to make judgments (critique)

Must be able to apply source information to topic (analyze)

Purpose is to persuade

Thesis is a claim about which reasonable people could disagree

Strategy is to find and use convincing support for your claim

A. Introduction

1. background information

2. thesis statement

B. Claim 1

1. argue

2. expert opinion

3. argue

4. expert opinion

5. argue

6. expert opinion

7. assumption

(Repeat for each claim)

D. Conclusion

A. Introduction 1. background information 2. According to popular media, the American Dream

means providing for family, striving for equality, and getting rich quick.

B. Cinderella Man – providing for family 1. looking for work at the docks 2. find scholarly source about employment 3. we don’t steal 4. find scholarly source about maintaining values 5. we are better off than most people 6. find scholarly source about financially raising a

family 7. These prove that according to the movie, the

American Dream means providing for family. (Repeat for each claim) D. Conclusion

4-5 pages

5 sources

Introduction

Organization

Conclusion

Grammar & Mechanics

Writing Process

In-text Citations

References Page

APA

Wednesday 4/23 – synthesis rough draft

Friday 4/25 - Grammar Portfolio #2

Monday 4/28 – synthesis final copy

APA – online

Critique mulligans Wed 4/16

Wednesday 4/23 – synthesis rough draft

Wednesday 4/23 - Grammar Portfolio #2

Monday 4/28 – synthesis final copy