Introduction to Argument

1. Introduction to Argument The Art of Persuasion

2. What is Rhetoric? • The Art of Argument But also: • Influence • Friendship • Eloquence • Wit • Logic

3. When Do We Use Persuasion?

4. Big Difference AN ARGUMENT A FIGHT Each person tries to win. You win when you dominate the enemy. • Each person tries to win over the other. • You succeed when you persuade the audience. • You succeed when you get the other person to do what you want.

5. Ask yourself:What do you want at the end of the argument?

6. A Sample Conversation YOU: What’s wrong, Officer? COP: Did you know that the speed limit here is 50? YOU: How fast was I going? COP: 55. YOU:…?

7. “Whoa! Lock me up!” If your goal is to make the cop look stupid, then congrats. But if your goal was to avoid a ticket, you are the likely loser.

8. The best way to exploit your opponent’s desire to score points is to let him. This is called concession. Now how can we use this with the policeman? Other situations: A child: “You never let me have any fun.” A coworker: “That’ll never work.”

9. Cicero’s 3 Goals for Persuading People 1. Change your audience’s mood. 2. Change your audience’s mind. 3. Get your audience to act.

10. Change Your Audience’s Mood • The easiest goal • By changing your audience’s emotion, you make them more vulnerable to your argument…and more likely to listen.

11. Change Your Audience’s Mind • Difficult. • Many different methods. • For example, putting the most moderate choice in the middle, the extreme ones on the end.

12. Get Your Audience to Act • Convince them that an action is no big deal.

13. Review: You know you’re in the middle of an argument when: • Someone yells at you. • People “agree to disagree.” • You and another person are trying to influence each other. • Your opponent clenches his fists.

14. Who creates arguments? • Teachers • Doctors • Bricklayers • Mr. Sell’s dog • All of the above • None of the above

15. Which of these is not an argumentum a fortiori, an argument from strength? • “If a caveman can do it, you can, too.” • “Clean your room or you’ll go without dinner.” • “That truck made it through the tunnel. There’s plenty of room.” • “It’s not an extreme bill. Many conservatives support it.”

16. Which is the most powerful tool in persuasion? • Logic • Force • Character • Emotion

17. “No, you can’t have the car.” • What is the best response? • What if I just drive it instead? • Would you rather I walk at night through the bad part of town? • If I can’t use your car, I’ll just find one I can use.” • But I was going to pick up those groceries you need.

18. “I own this house, so you obey my rules.” • Choose the best response. • Does the house have to obey them too? • You also own the dog, and it doesn’t obey you. • Understood. But I’m not sure this rule makes sense. • I’ll obey your rules, but I won’t obey you. • Actually, I think the bank owns this house. Should I obey their rules?

19. Exercise • DissoiLogoi(Differing Arguments) • Pain is bad. • Dogs are a man’s best friend. • Lying is wrong. • Women are less cruel than men.