1. Definition and Evaluation Arguments Professor Lafferty
CCII
Definition and Evaluation Arguments Professor Lafferty

2. CCII: Paper #1
How does this paper fit into the greater scheme of the course? What type of argument are your writing? What is a definition argument? What is an evaluation argument? What is your working thesis or claim?

4. Your First Paper will be an EVALUATION/ETHICAL or a DEFINITION ARGUMENT

5. What is a definition argument? Where do we see them in the world?
Definition Arguments
What is a definition argument?
Where do we see them in the world?

6. Game of Thrones: feminist or misogynist?

7. Definition Argument Claim
Something is (or is not) ______________
because it does (or does not) have features A, B, C…
The television show Walking Dead is/is not sexist because
____________, ____________, and ___________.
criteria

8. Criteria-match Structure
Simple definition argument: Criteria Match (or non-match) presented, not argued argued Extended definition argument: argued argued

9. Bechdel Test Short Synopsis
Bechdel Test: Is there significant female presence in film? (Note: Game of Thrones passes the test.)
Bechdel Test Short Synopsis
If you were writing a definiton argument about the presence of women in film, you would need to first determine your criteria for determining and then assessing the female presence in movies – enter in the Bechdel Test.
The Bechdel Test is one set of criteria you may use to assess female prence in film.
In your notes: Write the three questions that comprise the Bechdel Test.

10. Applying the Definition to the Media Text
Application of the Bechdel Test
If a movie passes the Bechdel test, what can you conclude about that movie?
What does the Bechdel test not reveal?
Is the Bechdel test a useful measure to determine female presence?
Why would you study female presence in film?

11. Applying Multiple Definitions to a Media Text
The Bechdel Test vs the Mako Mari Test
What is the Mako Mari test?
Why did the speaker feel the need to combine the two ”tests”?
What is her central argument? Is it convincing? (Why or why not?)

12. Definition arguments have consequences.
If a movie doesn't pass the Bechdel test, what are the implications for women in the film industry?
What are the consequences of hip hop music not being considered mainstream?

13. Where do definitions come from?
Dictionaries, general and specialized. Best for formal definitions.
Official documents or laws. Also best for formal definitions.
Experts explaining a concept or setting guidelines. Best for operational definitions.
You: sometimes you need to construct one yourself. Often happens when defining from example.

14. For a general dictionary, most impressive you could use is the Oxford English Dictionary. Have access to it through our library; you can find it like a database by searching alphabetically in E-Resources.

15. Persuasive force often comes from source of definition
Persuasive force often comes from source of definition. Credibility of source depends on audience.
Wikipedia says , “Art is the process of deliberately arranging elements in a way that appeals to the senses or emotions.”
According to Aristotle, art is the imitation of nature.

16. Definition Argument about Manhood in Movies
How Movies Teach Manhood
How does Colin Stokes define “manhood”?
What is his argument?
Describe why this argument is a “definition argument.”
Is his argument convincing? (Why or why not?)

17. Definition Arguments:
Basis of All Knowledge/Communication
Argue that Item X belongs in Category Y
Beyonce’s Superbowl 50 HalfTime performance was anti- establishment.

18. Take-away points
Definition arguments concern whether or not something meets the criteria to fit in a category.
Individual writers and groups choose definitions to suit their purposes (that favor their arguments).
Placing something in a category comes with consequences; something is at stake.

19. Connecting to your Paper
What definitions may you encounter within your topic?
Feminism
Racism
Sexism
Manhood
Mainstream Media
Racial Bias
White Privilege

20. Connecting to your Paper
What definition or criteria are you using to advance your argument?
What characteristics are you using to define your representation?
What criteria or adjectives are others (pubic opinion or scholars) using about your media text/representation?
Is there disagreement or conflict regarding these characteristics or adjectives?
What is at stake within your argument?
Who cares about your issue?
What is the consequence if X does not fit into the category of Y?

21. Evaluative Arguments:
The next step in Knowledge/Communication
Having defined an item--X is a Y
We then evaluate that item--X is a good/bad Y…
Evaluations depend upon definitions

22. Requirements for Evaluative Arguments:
Evaluations require comparison/contrast between items within the same category/genus
To argue that this is a good/bad chair requires that we compare/contrast it with other chairs...

23. AND... Evaluative Arguments must be couched in evaluative terms….
Adjectives...
Good/bad; effective/ineffective; successful/unsuccessful; cooperative/ uncooperative; resentful/unresentful…
The sit-com Black-ish is successful in its accurate representation of a Black family living in America.
NOTE: You must first define what “an accurate representation of a Black family in America” actually is. Is there only one acceptable representation?

24. Evaluation/Ethical Arguments
Based on VALUES and ETHICS
Greater Good
Moral Tenets (Ten Commandments; Philosophy)
NOTE: Know your audience(s) – what informs their values and ethics?

25. Ethical Arguments
Principle Based: X is right (wrong) because it follows (violates) principles A, B, and C.
Animal House is inaccurate in its portrayal of Greek life because it misrepresents the integrity, philanthropy and academic principles of fraternity life.

26. Ethical Argument
Conseqences Based: X is right (wrong) because it will lead to consequences A, B, C which are good (bad).
Advertisements featuring overly thin women are dangerous because they contribute to lower self-esteem and encourage eating disorders.

27. Problem of Standards: Normal vs. Ideal:
Normal: What is currently happening?
Ideal: What should be happening?
Curfew: Normal--12:00 Midnight; Ideal--Before sunrise
Speed limit: Does what is normal-- going 70 mph in 65 mph zone override what is ideal (obeying the law)?
Gender in film: Actual: 30%; Normal -- 50% Ideal –???
For your paper:
What is the normal representation of your group?
What should be the ideal representation of your group?

28. Problem of Mitigating Circumstances:
Circumstances out of the ordinary/Things we can’t control...
EX: Song that is atypical of artist’s political agenda/record
One episode that isn’t representative of the complete series.
Mitigating Circumstances revise criteria

29. Connecting to your Paper
What type of argument are you making?
Definition argument: X does/does not fit into Y
EXAMPLES:
Despite its predominantly female cast, Sex in the City is (is not) a feminist movie.
The film The Passion is(is not) anti-Semitic.
The lack of Asian and White artists in the Hip Hop industry is (is not) racist.

30. Connecting to your Paper
Evaluation Argument:
X is a good/bad representation of Y because
Christina Yang (Grey’s Anatomy) and Mindy Lahiri (The Mindy Project) are anomalies in the television world’s systematic marginalization of Asian women.
Lara Croft (Tomb Raider) is an inaccurate representation of the female presence in most video games.

31. Connecting to your Paper
Ethical Argument
X is right (wrong) because it follows (violates) principles A, B, and C.
X is right (wrong) because it will lead to consequences A, B, C which are good (bad).
Characters like X are important in Y because they will lead to A, B, C.
Film X is inappropriate because it violates principle A.

32. Working Thesis or Question
What is your working thesis?
WRITE IT DOWN NOW!
(You will be turning this thesis in to me.)