10-15-15

• Understand “argument”

• Discuss Chapter 7 in the textbook

• Continue to work on Paper #4

Goals:

Argument

Aristotle’s Five Offices of Rhetoric:

Invention – finding something to say

Arrangement – selecting the best ideas &

sequencing them logically

Style – expressing the ideas effectively

Memory – learning the text

Delivery – performing the text

Character of the writer:ETHOS

Facts/logic of the subject:

LOGOS

Emotions of the reader:PATHOS

Character of the writer:ETHOS

Facts/logic of the subject:

LOGOS

•Trustworthiness

•Expertise

Do you have something to gain? Do you have an ax to grind?Basically, do you have a stake in what happens?

Do you have personal expertise? Do you have expertise knowledge from other sources?Basically, do you know what you’re talking about?

•FactsIs your information accurate? Do you have adequate information?

•Logic

Is your thinking/reasoning sound? Do you “connect the dots” clearly?Are your conclusions reasonable?

Ch 7 notes: elements to include in your argument

An explicit position (thesis)

What’s already been said (context)

Background information (more context)

Why it matters (“So what?”)

Good reasons & evidence (solid, adequate, logical)

Other points of view (“Others might say…”)

Authoritative tone (expertise)

Appeal to values (as appropriate)

Questions?

Option #1: Argue that a particular person, thing, or event was (or is) of special importance to something much larger than that person, thing, or event.

Thesis

Topic: Machine gun Thesis: The invention of the machine gun marked an unparalleled leap forward in the industrialization of killing.

Topic: Fran TarkentonThesis: Although the NFL has had plenty of stellar quarterbacks, Fran Tarkenton holds a special place as the first to scramble in the backfield.

Topic: US invasion of IraqThesis : Based on fabricated evidence, and started with no clear goal and no exit strategy, the US invasion of Iraq was the worst military blunder ever committed by the United States.

Option #2: Argue that a current situation or policy is unfair, ineffective, or otherwise "wrong" and should be changed.

Thesis

Topic: Fourth class system at The CitadelThesis : The fourth class system at The Citadel loses its effectiveness long before the end of the year, and should therefore end on Parents Day.

Topic: Blue lawsThesis : Laws that prevent the sale of alcohol on Sunday are a relic from a bygone era; they serve no purpose, and should therefore be eliminated.

Topic: US tax codeThesis : The US tax code is hopelessly complicated and should be simplified.

Other points of view

Thesis : The invention of the machine gun marked an unparalleled leap forward in the industrialization of killing.

Acknowledgement: Other advancements in technology, such as the creation of gunpowder and the creation of nuclear weapons, have also changed the face of warfare.

The machine gun, however, was more than merely an advancement in technology…

Thesis : Although the NFL has had plenty of stellar quarterbacks, Fran Tarkenton deserves special merit as the first to scramble in the backfield.

Acknowledgement: Certainly one could argue that other quarterbacks were also innovators, and the records show that others had more passing yards, more touchdowns, and fewer interceptions. (Mention other notable players.)

Still, Tarkenton’s use of the scramble changed the way the game was played…

Other points of view

Thesis : The fourth class system at The Citadel loses its effectiveness long before the end of the year, and should therefore end on Parents Day.

Acknowledgement: When General Mark Clark instituted the year-long fourth class system, he clearly had reasons for doing so. (List his reasons.)

But times change, students change, and programs that worked in the past don’t always produce the same results in the present.

Thesis : The US tax code is hopelessly complicated and should be simplified.

Acknowledgement: People have made a variety of recommendations over the years, including a flat tax and the so-called “Fair Tax.” (List various options.)

Good reasons and evidence

Invention, invention, invention!

Collect more than you need and more than you can use.

Select and use the best evidence, arranged logically.