Chapter 1: Foundations of Arguments This chapter will cover The structure of an argument The three parts of an argument: Issues Conclusions Reasons An approach to making decisions

Foundations of Arguments Metaphors for Argument Your claims are indefensible. I demolished his argument. You disagree? Okay, shoot! Not a fight or a battle War, war on drugs, battle of the sexes, war metaphors or winning or losing

Foundations of Arguments Referring to a conclusion (claim); Supported by reasons (premises); About a particular issue (question or controversy) Not a fight or a battle War, war on drugs, battle of the sexes, war metaphors or winning or losing

The Issue What we are arguing about Make it a question: Should the minimum wage be raised? Should energy drinks be regulated? Should hip/hop music be banned?

Riddle When is an issue not an issue? When it is a Topic Topics are ideas or subjects Topics become issues when a question or controversy is introduced.

Issues Cell Phones Should cell phones be allowed at school? Do cell phones have too many applications? Cell Phones Are cell phones a danger to our health? Can cell phones detract from our safety? Should cell phones be allowed in the classrooms

The Issue Topic Issue(question). Reasons (premises) Conclusion/claim

The Issue Issue detection: Ask a question or Use the following statement: The issue is whether……there is too much violence on tv. Issue detection: The issue is what we are basing our argument on. It is the question that is being addressed. Put it in a question form

Skill Understand the issue, make sure everyone is discussing the same issue, and bring the discussion back on target when necessary.

Kinds of issues 3 Kinds value issue - prescriptive factual issue - descriptive or definitional policy issue - action

Factual Issue Definition Descriptive: Is it true or false? Are smog control devices effective in preventing pollution? Does it fit into a certain category? Is a platypus a mammal?

Value Issue Prescriptive value good or bad Is there too much violence on television? right or wrong Are salaries of executives of major corporations too high?

Policy Issue May emerge from facts and values Action Policy Issues involve an action step: May emerge from facts and values Smog –control devices prevent pollution Clean air should be available to everyone Support policies for these devices.

Name that issue Quiz Is there too much violence on television? value issue Are seatbelts effective in preventing injury? Descriptive factual issue Is a dolphin a mammal? Definition factual issue Will installing smog control devices prevent pollution? policy issue

Conclusion Also called position, claim The stand you take on the issue. The position taken about an issue. The thesis statement will express the conclusion of the author. Yes or no; pro or con; for or against. Claim, position, conclusion

Conclusion Locate conclusions in an argument: Position of the writer or speaker Look at beginning or ending. Indicator words: therefore, so, thus, hence. Indicator phrases: My point is, What I believe is.., obviously, it is evident that. Ask: What is being claimed? Look at the title.

Reasons Premises, evidence, support, justification Provide support for conclusions. Without reasons, you have no argument. Yes or no; pro or con; for or against. Claim, position, conclusion Without reasons, you have no argument. You only have an opinion or a statement.

Reasons Locate reasons in an argument: Apply the because trick. Indicator words - Because, for, first, second, third, as evidenced by, also, furthermore, in addition. Support material - Examples, statistics, analogies, reports of studies, and expert testimony Using words to find out whether the statements are reasons for a claim. Ways to understand supporting evidence

Decision-Making Model Making Decisions Decision-Making Model Define dilemma by asking a question Look at long term objectives Determine most important factors Weigh factors against choices Choose highest scoring alternative Road to making a claim is made easier when you have a map. 19

Chapter 1: Foundations of Arguments Checkup Difference between topic and issue Three parts of an argument How to locate reasons and conclusions Approach to making decisions