Arguments Make Claims!

1. Arguments Make Claims!

2. When most people think of argument, they think of what these Zax are doing; shouting and not budging. But you see and hear arguments every day, often without realizing it – arguments that make claims about what you should do, think, wear, eat and be. The claim might be expressed directly – in a statement- or indirectly. Either way, all arguments have a claim, it is the point that is being made. When you are working with an argument, first determine what claims it makes. What is the point? What are you encouraged to do, think, wear, eat or be?

3. What’s The Claim??

4. What’s The Claim?? Leo Horoscope for Today February 9, 2008 You might feel disappointed with a business project not unfolding as expected. Don't lose your courage! This is simply not a favorable day for business. You will have the opportunity to spend more time in the company of your loved one. You may make plans for the future.

5. What’s The Claim??

6. Arguments Make Claims! • Next you need to determine how the claims in the argument work. Some categories include: definition, value, cause and policy. • A claim of definition explains what something means. • A claim of value judges some quality so that you may think it is pretty, or healthy, or “new and improved”, etc. • A claim of cause links an effect with the reasons for it, like when a professor tells you that you will get an A in the course if you ace the final. • A claim of policy suggests a particular course of action. • Keep in mind that there is a lot of overlap between categories in many instances.

7. This ad gives the definition of Cadillac as found in Websters Dictionary giving them an authoritative definition to promote their image of excellence. Definitions offer a clean equation: this equals that, they argue what the definition of something is or whether something is a settled fact.

8. This magazine feature evaluates clothing and style as good or bad; it makes claims of value. In order to be convinced by the claims you have to accept the assumption that celebrities’ outfits matter, agree that the magazines criteria is valid, and agree that it judged the celebrities according to that criteria.

9. This image suggests a direct causal relationship between smoking pot and being homeless. The words qualify the claim saying: “If your child is messing with marijuana and alcohol, no one can say how it will turn out.” In other words, being homeless is one possible outcome – no one can say how likely – caused by smoking and drinking.

10. This ad suggests a course of action: you should drink milk because it makes your bones strong. Claims of policy have to grab peoples attention and overcome the tendency to keep doing what they are already doing – in this case, not drinking milk. The “Got Milk?” ads use actors, athletes, rock stars, etc to make their claim of policy to as wide an audience as possible.