Argumentative Argumentative WritingWriting

Part 1: Types of Part 1: Types of ArgumentArgument

Argument and PersuasionArgument and Persuasion

Argument: To discover a version Argument: To discover a version of the truth using evidence and of the truth using evidence and reason.reason.

Persuasion: Change a point of Persuasion: Change a point of view.view.

Occasion For the Occasion For the ArgumentArgument

Forensic Argument (Past)Forensic Argument (Past) These arguments try to These arguments try to

establish what happened in the establish what happened in the past. past.

These arguments rely on These arguments rely on precedents: actions in the past precedents: actions in the past that influence the present. that influence the present.

Rely on Cause and effect and Rely on Cause and effect and analysis analysis

Examples of ForensicsExamples of Forensics

Ex. Did deregulation lead to Ex. Did deregulation lead to the current recession?the current recession?

Ex. Should we have gone to Ex. Should we have gone to war with Iraq?war with Iraq?

Deliberative Arguments Deliberative Arguments (Future)(Future)

What should we do in the future?What should we do in the future? The past influences the future so The past influences the future so

forensic arguments may be used.forensic arguments may be used. If X is true, Y may be true. If X is true, Y may be true. If X happens, so may Y.If X happens, so may Y. If X continues, then Y may occur.If X continues, then Y may occur.

Examples of DeliberationExamples of Deliberation

Ex. Should the United States Ex. Should the United States allow same sex marriages?allow same sex marriages?

Should the United States use Should the United States use force against Syria?force against Syria?

These arguments can be These arguments can be stated as Arguable stated as Arguable PropositionsPropositions

Arguable PropositionArguable Proposition

Someone should take some action.Someone should take some action. Ex. The Carson City School District Ex. The Carson City School District

should require all students to wear should require all students to wear uniforms during school hours.uniforms during school hours.

The Federal Government should The Federal Government should spend more tax dollars on the spend more tax dollars on the country’s infrastructure.country’s infrastructure.

Kinds Of Kinds Of ArgumentsArguments

Types of ArgumentTypes of Argument

DefinitionDefinition CausationCausation EthicsEthics EvaluationEvaluation ProposalProposal

Argument of DefinitionArgument of Definition

Does a known object belong Does a known object belong in a specific category?in a specific category?

Ex. Is a human fetus a human Ex. Is a human fetus a human being?being?

Is video game playing a sport?Is video game playing a sport?

Argument of CausationArgument of Causation What caused something to come into What caused something to come into

being?being? What caused the current state of What caused the current state of

events?events? Ex: The focus on standardized tests Ex: The focus on standardized tests

has diminished a student’s ability to has diminished a student’s ability to be creative.be creative.

Ex: Violent video games lead to Ex: Violent video games lead to violence in society.violence in society.

Argument of EthicsArgument of Ethics Arguing how we should act.Arguing how we should act. What is the right or wrong decision What is the right or wrong decision

in a situation?in a situation? Are there principles involved?Are there principles involved? Are we dealing with absolute or Are we dealing with absolute or

situational ethics?situational ethics? Ex: Should we use force in Syria?Ex: Should we use force in Syria? Ex: Should we pass the Dream Act?Ex: Should we pass the Dream Act?

Argument of EvaluationArgument of Evaluation

What is the quality of something?What is the quality of something? Is a Corvette a sports car? This is Is a Corvette a sports car? This is

an argument of definition. an argument of definition. Is a Corvette a good sports car? Is a Corvette a good sports car?

This is an argument of This is an argument of evaluation.evaluation.

Qualifying it further: Is a Corvette Qualifying it further: Is a Corvette a good sports car for the price?a good sports car for the price?

Proposal ArgumentsProposal Arguments

What action should be takenWhat action should be taken Recognition of a problem and Recognition of a problem and

then the argument that by then the argument that by following the actions you following the actions you outline, the problem will be outline, the problem will be solved.solved.

Arguable Proposition would work Arguable Proposition would work well.well.