1. Argument Organization
Mrs. Pelletier

2. Organization
Classical rhetoricians call this arrangement since you must consider how your essay and its individual paragraphs or sections are arranged
Always have a beginning, middle, and an end: introduction, developmental paragraphs, and conclusion
How a writer structures the argument depends upon his or her intended purpose and effect.

3. The Classical Model of Argument
Devised by Greek and Roman rhetoricians 2 thousand years ago
For presenting cases in courts or making speeches to a senate
Taught to think of arguments as debates that have winners and loser
Classical structure has 5 parts: each part does NOT represent one paragraph
Each part can have any number of paragraphs depending on how much information the author needs to present

4. Exordium (introduction)
Writer tries to win the attention and goodwill of the audience while introducing a subject or problem
This section should establish exigency of the issue
Exigency means urgency and refers to why this issue must be addressed in TODAY’S society

5. Example: Exordium
“When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.” – The Declaration of Independence

6. Narratio (narration) This section puts the argument in context
Provides factual information and background material on the subject at hand
Focuses on HOW the issue became a problem/something that needs to be addressed
Level of details provided here will depend on the audience’s knowledge of the subject
Focus on logos and/or pathos here

7. Example: Narratio
“But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies.” - The Declaration of Independence

8. Confirmatio (confirmation)
This should be major part of the text (also means it’s the longest)
Writer offers detailed support for the claim, using both logical reason and factual evidence
Contains the most specific and concrete detail in the text
strong appeal to logos

9. Logos Silliness

10. Refutario (refutation)
Writer acknowledges and then refutes opposing claims or evidence
You must first show that you fully understand the opposition’s argument
Then, you must refute the opposition using reasoning and sound evidence

11. Peroratio (conclusion)
Answers the question: so what? You can do that through a variety of ways including:
Call to action
Solution
The greater importance of this topic for society

12. Example: Peroratio
“We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States […]” - The Declaration of Independence

13. The Rogerian Model of Argument
Issue of argument: discussion of serious issues can easily turn into a shouting match
Rhetoricians applied the non-confrontational principles of psychologist, Carl Rogers, to argument
Created a 4-part structure to Roger’s approach

14. Introduction Writer describes an issue, a problem, or a conflict
Description is rich and shows that the author understands and respects any alternative position(s)

15. Contexts
Writer describes the contexts or circumstances under which alternative positions may be valid or legitimate
Show you understand other sides of the argument

16. Writer’s Position
Writer states his or her position on the issue and presents the circumstances in which that opinion would be valid
This is the largest part of your paper where you synthesize your research

17. Benefits to Opponent
Writer explains to opponents how they would benefit from adopting his or her position
Explain why your solution, proposal, argument is better in this context

18. LET’S SEE SOME EXAMPLES! 