Introduction to the Art of Argument
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Transcript of Introduction to the Art of Argument
LESSON 18 INTRODUCTION TO THE
ART OF ARGUMENT
Writer’s Prompt:
Respond to the following statement and argue your point of view:
Due to crime sprees, serial murders and domestic disputes, gun ownership should be forbidden in the United States since it is directly linked to these acts of violence. All guns should be banned by federal and state law in the USA. Japan and Great Britain have laws banning guns and the incidences of violence in those countries is quite low.
Assignments
• Read in Read, Reason, Write, “A Hanging,” by George Orwell on page 701• Answer # 3 under Questions for
Reasoning• Answer #2 under Questions for
Reflecting and Writing
• Argumentative Essay Due – TBA• Midterm - TBA
How not to Argue
THE ART OF ARGUMENT
The Art of Argument
The Art of Argument
A way to think logically and analyze issues in an informed manner
A way of organizing a conversation or essay
Tools to use to analyze and examine an existing argument or to create a new argument
The Art of Argument
Takes a Stand on an Arguable Issue – not a factual issueClass starts at 3 PM
Uses Reason and EvidenceBecause of this; due to that; etc.
Incorporates Human ValuesLife, fairness, justice, equality, etc.
Recognizes ComplexityNot just “black and white,” lots of grays too
The Aristotelian Model
EthosThe writer or speaker
○ Must have credibility
LogosThe argument and its support
○ Facts and evidence
Pathos○ The effect of the audience○ How do they feel about the issue – what do
you need to address to change their oppinion
The Toulmin Model
British philosopher Stephen Toulmin “An argument consists of evidence
and/or reasons presented in support of an assertion or claim that is either stated or implied.”
The Toulmin Model Claim
We should not go skiing today Evidence (Grounds)
Because it is too cold
Evidence (Grounds)Because some laws are unjust
ClaimCivil disobedience is sometimes justified
Toulmin Model - Expanded Claim
We should not go skiing today Evidence (Grounds)
It is too cold today Assumption (Warrants)
When it is too cold it is no fun skiing
Toulmin Model – Expanded
ClaimCivil disobedience is sometimes justified
EvidenceSome laws are unjust
Assumption (Warrants)To get unjust laws changed, people need to
be made aware of the injustice. Acts of disobedience will get people’s attention.
Toulmin - Claims and Support Claims
Usually either inferences or judgments, for these are debatable assertions
SupportFacts, opinions based on facts (inferences),
or opinions based on values, beliefs, or ideas (judgments) or some combination of the three
Toulmin -
FactsClass starts at 3 PM
InferenceStudents should be there on time.
JudgmentsNo more than 25 students should be in a
class Backing
The Quality of the Evidence - Credibility
The Toulmin Model of Argumentation The Toulmin model asserts that most arguments consist of the following 6
parts:
The Toulmin Model
In Class ExerciseBuilding Arguments Page 77 (Blue Read, Reason, Write) Claims, evidence, assumptions
Professor X is not a good teacher (claim)Professor X does not explain clearly
(evidence)A good teacher must explain clearly
(assumption)
The Argument Clinic