ARGUMENTATION -- and RESEARCH

Argumentation -  Notes --

• Definition: a process of reasoning that asserts the soundness of a debatable position, belief or conclusion

          KEYWORD: ____________________

* Be sure you are able to identify the issue, background and claim made in the example on the opening of the chapter.

·       Difference between argumentation and persuasion: 

• Purpose of argument: 

• The most effective arguments combine:

* Use only those appeals that most people would consider fair

Choosing a Topic; Developing Thesis; Audience:

• Explain why maintaining an open mind is so important in argumentation.

• Why consider other viewpoints?

• * "IF you cannot be open-minded, you should choose another topic you can deal with more objectively."

• * The thesis will make a debatable claim, not make a statement that most people accept.
• One way to test whether one has an argumentative claim is to formulate an antithesis, which is:
• For an argumentative essay, it is best to think of the audience as skeptics. Why? What are skeptics? 

Gathering and Documenting Evidence: 

* "ALL THE POINTS YOU MAKE IN YOUR PAPER MUST BE SUPPORTED."

• The best that evidence can do is: 
• Kinds of Evidence
•   Facts
• Opinions - why are some opinions more convincing than others?

• Criteria for Evidence-explain each one in relation to the argumentative essay
• Relevance
• Representative
• Typical
• Sufficient

• Documentation of Evidence - we will discuss MLA Documentation in depth -- consider this only an overview
• importance of documentation 
• plagiarism

Dealing With Opposition

Define: refutation. 

Why address the opposition's arguments?  Why write down all arguments against your thesis?

How does a writer refute opposing arguments?

What advantage is there is conceding the strength of the opponent's point?

What is a "straw man" and why should you avoid it in argumentation? (Unless, of course, your name is Dorothy Gale, you're from Kansas, and you're on your way to see the Wizard.)

Deductive and Inductive Reasoning - note the difference

Deductive Reasoning in an essay

Why inductive reasoning is often used in science more so than in English

***NOTE: Rogerian Argument and Toulmin Logic are both valid and interesting, but since we have limited time and essays will primarily rely on deductive reasoning and logic we will not be covering them.***

Fallacies of logic - Don't just know what these are; be certain YOU are not guilty of them in your essay!

 These are listed in the book

As always, pay close attention to the transitions for argumentative essays 

Structuring an Argumentative Essay - see page 542 - 12th ed.