Arguments, Arrangement and Analysis

1. Arguments, Arrangement and Analysis

2. Argument • In this class, argument is used in the larger sense to persuade or convince someone to take a course of action.

3. Types of Arguments • Fact • Existence • Definition • Quality • Policy • Rely upon arguments of fact for decision making • Tied to appeals to expediency and value

4. Types of Appeals in Arguments • Logos fact based (the primary kind used in technical documents) • Ethos based on character and authority of the speaker • Pathos emotion based (generally considered the weakest type of appeal in technical documents)

5. Evidence • Scientific Data/Data from Study • Citation of results from other studies • Citation of other documents/reports • Quotes from meetings/discussions • First hand observation • Hearsay Note that this might shift slightly depending upon purpose of document.

6. Boiling Down vs. Expanding • Boiling down finds few key points • Expanding develops ideas with explanation and definition • Choice depends upon audience and purpose • Demonstrating knowledge requires expansion • Getting someone’s attention or updating will usually involve boiling down

7. Using Visuals for Arguments • Help render some complex concepts more understandable • Should always include labels • Should always be discussed in the text of the document • If they aren’t they should be in the appendix

8. Some Argument Arrangements • Time – what happened when • Space – what happens in which space • Hierarchy – most to least important, general to specific • Alternatives – what choices there are • Steps – what needs to be done 1st, 2nd... • Topics – what key ideas must be covered • Matrices – complex decisions or choices & their relationships

9. Document Shapes • Global – major parts of a genre of document, purpose identified in executive summary or introductory paragraph • Visual – consistency in type, levels of headings, use of bold, italics, graphics, boxing, etc. • Textual – words/references within text to assist readers, cues that indicate part of text & function ( e.g. summary, conclusion)

10. Analysis • All of the principles mentioned can be used for both production and analysis. • For this class we’ll be looking at how argument, evidence, and arrangement were used in your documents.