Argument I DS 014 Writing Weston Fall 2010

Today's Agenda Sign-In Turn in Definition Paragraphs  Final Draft, Rough Draft and Peer Reviews Getting into Argument Topic Sentence and Transitions for Argumentation Developing Sufficient Support Three Ingredients of Good Argumentation Assignment Coming Up...

Argument—What is it? Argument in writing is not causing a fight. In essence, it is presenting your side (your point of view) on a subject in the strongest way possible.  Many written arguments are trying to get the reader to do something or believe something new.

Topic Sentences In argumentative writing, the topic sentence not only introduces the subject but also your stance on the subject.  “When it comes to presidential elections in the United States, the total number of votes won, not selection by the Electoral College, should decide the victor.”  “Cities and towns should enforce ordinances against unauthorized roadside memorials put up following fatal traffic accidents.”

Transitions See pp. 119 and 120 in your textbook for potential transition words/phrases

Developing Sufficient Support Valid evidence—accurate and truthful Sufficient evidence—enough support to allow a reader to see your point of view Facts—verifiable truths (stronger than opinion) Opinion—reasonings based on fact Personal feelings and attitudes—generally lack a valid basis of support

Three Sides of an Argument Logos—logic (facts and figures, resources and references) Ethos—ethics (author's authority and how much the reader should trust him/her) Pathos—emotion (emotional appeal—opinion and “feel” of the writing)

Aristotle's Triangle As seen here, we can also associate logos, ethos and pathos with word, author and audience. These associations can help us build a graphic organizer to assist in what we know versus what we need to.

Examples of Arguments See the handouts Can you pick out the topic sentences? How do the authors use pathos, ethos, and logos in the first paragraphs?

Assignment Take three (3) of the graphic organizers of the Aristotle's Triangle. Fill each out for what you know of the subject, what your audience knows about it, and what you know about your potential audience. Let me see your work so you get credit for it.

Coming Up... Wednesday  More on argument  Tone  Avoiding Error  Employing Emphatic Order Friday  Start on Essay Chapter (Chapter 14)