Making Arguments

Chapter 7

Making Arguments

Rhetoric - the art or study of using language effectively and persuasively.

Making Arguments

Building Blocks of an Argument:

1. The Claim

2. Support

3. Warrant

Making Arguments

The Claim - Also called a proposition, answers the question "What are you trying to prove?"  It can sometimes appear as a thesis statement for your essay. 

Making Arguments

Three Types of Claims:

1. Claims of Fact - assert that a condition has existed, exists, or will exist, and are based on fact or data the audience will accept as being objectively verifiable. 

 

Making Arguments

Three Types of Claims:

2. Claims of Value - attempt to prove that some things are more or less desirable than others.  

 

Making Arguments

Three Types of Claims:

3. Claims of Policy - assert that specific policies should be instituted as solutions to problems.  The expression should, must, or ought to usually appears in the statement.

 

 

Making Arguments

What makes a good claim?

Not obviousEngagingNot overly vagueLogicalDebatable

Making Arguments

Support - consists of the materials used by the arguer to convince an audience that her claim is sound. 

Making Arguments

Warrant ?

Making Arguments

Warrant - is an inference or an assumption, or a belief or principle that is taken for granted.  In argument, it bridges the gap between the support and the claim.  As an arguer, your warrant is a belief you can assume that you and your audience share.

Making Arguments - Example

Claim: Adoption of a strictly vegetarian diet leads to healthier and longer life.

Support: The authors of Becoming a Vegetarian Family say so.

What is the Warrant?

Making Arguments - Example

Claim: Adoption of a strictly vegetarian diet leads to healthier and longer life.

Support: The authors of Becoming a Vegetarian Family say so.

Warrant: The authors of Becoming a Vegetarian Family are reliable sources of information on diet.

Making Arguments – Example 2

Claim: You should support an increase in federal taxes to pay for educational programs for disadvantaged youths.

Support: Increased funding will help build programs that can help disadvantaged youths get a better education, and stay out of crime.

What is the Warrant?

Making Arguments – Example 2

Claim: You should support an increase in federal taxes to pay for educational programs for disadvantaged youths.

Support: Increased funding will help build programs that can help disadvantaged youths get a better education, and stay out of crime.

Warrant: It's your moral and ethical responsibility as a citizen to help future generations.

Assignment for Tuesday

Read Ch. 7 pgs. 210-211 and

234-244.

Work on writing a preliminary draft of your argument.