ARGUMENTATION

1. ARGUMENTATION Giving Your Ideas Power

2. When I say “argument,” what do you think? • Do you see two people shouting or even screaming at one another trying to browbeat the other into submission?

3. Well…that is not exactly what is meant by the term argumentation. So then, what do we mean by the term argumentation?

4. An argument… • States a specific position and provides supporting points for that position • Makes a main claim and provides supporting evidence to prove that claim • Draws a conclusion and gives specifics reasons for that conclusion

5. Specific Position Main Claim Conclusion Supporting Points Supporting Evidence Reasons Notice that an argument must have two parts

6. Visually, an argument looks like this Conclusion Reasons

7. Remember arguments have two distinct parts. THIS BECAUSE OF THAT Those supporting points That supporting evidence Those reasons This specific position This main claim This conclusion BECAUSE OF

8. Now Let’s Practice….. Remember we are identifying the parts of the argument. Whether we agree or disagree with the position does not matter. Evaluating the validity of arguments will come later.

9. Example #1 Fast food restaurants should be allowed in schools because students have the right to decide what happens in and to their bodies. This Because of That Students have the right to decide what happens to their bodies. Fast food should be allowed. Because of

10. Example #2 Smoking should be banned because it is harmful to everyone’s health. This Because of That Smoking should be banned. It is harmful to everyone’s health. Because of

11. Strategies for spotting conclusions… • Know where to look for conclusions. • Conclusions usually appear in one of two places: • Introductory Paragraphs • Concluding Paragraphs

12. Look for indicator words that signal a conclusion • Therefore • Thus • Hence • So • In conclusion • As a result • In short • The point is

13. Example #3 Nuclear power plants are hazardous to human life and the environment. Thus, these plants should no longer be built. This Because of That Nuclear power plants should no longer be built. Nuclear power plants are hazardous to human life and the environment. Because of

14. If no conclusion or main claim is stated… construct the conclusion by finding the main question that the essay answers. Ask yourself: What is this writer trying to prove or show?

15. Strategies for spotting reasons • Know where to look for reasons. • Reasons usually appear in the body of an essay. • Reasons may include facts, surveys, statistics, value judgments, and general opinions.

16. Look for indicator words that signal a reasons • Because • Since • On account of • For • In view of the fact that • For the reason that

17. If reasons seem unclear to you • Find the conclusion first. • Then ask yourself, “Why?” • Any sentence in the essay that tells why a writer believes his conclusion to be true will be a reason. • This strategy will help you focus in on the writer’s reasons.

18. Example #4 On account of his poor grades and in view of the fact that he has not saved his own money, Jim should not be allowed to go on the spring break trip. This Because of That Jim should not be allowed to go on the spring break trip. • He has made poor grades. • He has not saved his own money. Because of

19. Now that we have looked at simple arguments, let’s look further. • Basic argumentative statements can be linked with others to form complex argumentative structures. • Thus a scaffold of reasons and conclusions is built that can deal with complex issues.

20. Mini-arguments • Sometimes the conclusion of one argument becomes the reason for another argument. • This is how the scaffold is formed, as one argument supports the next argument.

21. Look at this example… John shouldn’t run for treasurer. He doesn’t know how to handle money. Just yesterday he deposited money into the wrong account.

22. Now you try… We shouldn’t buy that new building set for Jimmy because he hasn’t learned to take care of the toys he already has. Just yesterday, he shoved all his toys into the closet or kicked them under the bed. Besides, I don’t think he’s old enough yet for that set. The box says it’s for 8 to 10 year olds, and Jimmy is only 4. Conclusion Reason #2 Reason #1 Mini-argument Mini-argument Mini-argument Mini-argument

23. We shouldn’t buy that new building set for Jimmy. He is not old enough for this set. He hasn’t learned to take care of his toys. He shoved toys into the closet. He kicked toys under the bed. The box says 8 to 10 year olds. Jimmy is only 4.

24. Now that you are skilled, let’s try one with a mini-argument… Your scaffold will look like this: Make this scaffold on the back of your exercise sheet.

25. Smoking is bad for your health. Heart disease and lung disease occur at higher rates for those who smoke when compared to those who don’t smoke. Cancer is another threat as well. Also, smoking can be unpleasant socially. Your clothes have that stale smoke odor and unfortunately so does your breath. Many people just don’t want to spend much time around smokers. Lastly, smoking costs too much. Cigarettes aren’t cheap, and then you have the cost of whitening treatments for your stained teeth. As such, Mom, I really think you should quit smoking.

26. Solution: Mom should quit smoking. Bad for your health Unpleasant socially Expensive Cigarettes aren’t cheap. Odor on clothes Heart Disease Bad breath Cost of whitening treatments. Lung Disease People don’t want to be around you Cancer

27. Now that you understand how arguments are structured… Pick a topic for your business letter and organize your arguments. * Remember to use effective logical and emotional persuasive techniques!!!!!!!