ARGUMENT NOTES

PERSUASION Definition- Convincing someone to

change their belief or to do something

PERSUASION Definition- Convincing someone to

change their belief or to do something Example- Convince students, staff, and

the district to adopt a uniform policy

ARGUMENT Definition- Presenting and supporting a

claim, but also mentioning the opposite opinion

ARGUMENT Definition- Presenting and supporting a

claim, but also mentioning the opposite opinion

Students and staff at BGJHS should wear uniforms. Some may think they would lose their individuality, but they show this in academic ways.

CLAIM Definition- A belief or opinion on a topic

CLAIM Definition- A belief or opinion on a topic Example- School uniforms are beneficial

to both students and staff

COUNTER-ARGUMENT Definition- The opposing view on a

topic. The opinion of a person who might argue with you.

COUNTER-ARGUMENT Definition- The opposing view on a

topic. The opinion of a person who might argue with you.

COUNTER-ARGUMENT Definition- The opposing view on a

topic. The opinion of a person who might argue with you.

Example- Uniforms would be boring and depressing.

FACTS Definition- A statement that can be

proven to be true

FACTS Definition- A statement that can be

proven to be true Example- Research shows that schools

with a uniform policy have 5o% fewer discipline referrals than those without uniforms.

OPINION Definition- One’s personal belief or

feeling.

OPINION Definition- One’s personal belief or

feeling. Example: Uniforms would make

everyone feel equal.

REBUTTAL Definition- The answer to the counter-

argument. “But”… statement.

REBUTTAL Definition- The answer to the counter-

argument. “But”… statement. Example: Some people think that

uniforms would be boring and depressing, but they would actually help students get interested in education and be less depressed while comparing clothes.

THREE WAYS TO PERSUADE Pathos-

Ethos-

Logos-

THREE WAYS TO PERSUADE Pathos- Feelings/Emotions:

Ethos- Justice/Ethics:

Logos- Logic/Facts

THREE WAYS TO PERSUADE Pathos- Feelings/Emotions: Creating a

mood, making a person feel a certain way, so that they will want to do what you want them to do

Ethos- Justice/Ethics:

Logos- Logic/Factual:

THREE WAYS TO PERSUADE Pathos- Feelings/Emotions: Creating a

mood, making a person feel a certain way, so that they will want to do what you want them to do

Ethos- Justice/Ethics: Making a judgment about right and wrong. Telling your reader that they should agree with your argument because it is a fair or ethical one.

Logos- Logic/Factual:

THREE WAYS TO PERSUADE Pathos- Feelings/Emotions: Creating a

mood, making a person feel a certain way, so that they will want to do what you want them to do

Ethos- Justice/Ethics: Making a judgment about right and wrong. Telling your reader that they should agree with your argument because it is a fair or ethical one.

Logos- Logic/Factual: an argument that is based in research or other factual evidence.

THREE WAYS TO PERSUADE Pathos- Feelings/Emotions: Creating a

mood, making a person feel a certain way, so that they will want to do what you want them to do

Ethos- Justice/Ethics: Making a judgment about right and wrong. Telling your reader that they should agree with your argument because it is a good or ethical one.

Logos- Logic/Factual: an argument that is based in research or other factual evidence.

RELEVANT ARGUMENT Proves the point Is true Makes sense Is credible

“Valid” is a synonym of “relevant”

IRRELEVANT ARGUMENT An irrelevant argument is one that is off

topic OR one that doesn’t prove the point; it

just distracts OR one that is untrue

APPEAL TO FORCE

Someone in a position of power threatens to make bad things happen to anyone who dares to disagree with his argument.

•If you do not agree with my political opinions, you will receive a grade of F for this course.•I believe that Herbert Hoover was the greatest President of the United States.•Therefore, Herbert Hoover was the greatest President of the United States

This might be an effective way to get you to agree (or at least to pretend to agree) with my position, it offers no grounds for believing it to be true.

Irrelevant Conclusion

An argument that actually provides support for an entirely different conclusion.

•All children should have ample attention from their parents.•Parents who work full-time cannot give ample attention to their children.•Therefore, mothers should not work full-time.

This might be true about working parents generally, but doesn’t make it true about women alone and not on men. This procedure may succeed in distracting the audience from the point that is really at issue.

BULLYING, BRIBERY AND BEGGINGTEN METHODS OF FAMILY PERSUASION

10. Use puppy dog eyes and pout with lower lip. 9. Say “Please, please, please,” (shameless begging) 8. Get on hands and knees 7. Say you’ll clean your room. (empty promises) 6. Clasp hands in front of you and smile in a saintly

way. 5. Paper halos 4. Fake tears 3. Whine and say, “Pretty please with sugar on the

top.” 2. Bribe with flowers and candy 1. Try to find a real reason

TOP TEN BETTER METHODS OF TRUTHFUL PERSUASION 10. Know your point of view 9. Listen to the other side 8. Let your facts speak for themselves 7. Be kind and courteous to your opponent 6. Nagging works sometimes 5. Don’t be afraid to use your imagination. 4. Pretend you are the audience when things

get confusing. 3. Use humor 2. Don’t force your argument; show them the

truth 1. End with your best point re-stated in a more

eloquent way.

DIGGING BELOW A POSITION “Persuasion is not forcing someone to

believe what you believe, but rather leading someone to the truth.” Alan Dershowitz

The most powerful persuader will be the one who can take one step back and see the other person’s point of view.

Look for the values that you have in common with your opponent.

EXAMPLE OF DIGGING Kid: Dad, Can I have a friend over? Dad: No. I need the house quiet. Kid: Please! You never let me do

anything! (3B’s) Dad: No. I told you I have a lot of work

to do. Kid: We will play outside and be really

quiet.(Good digging) Dad: I’ll think about it.