1. Intro to Argument
ENGL HEILIG

2. -An argument is any piece of composition used to persuade an intended audience
-Can be multimodal (print, visual, audio, etc.)
-A discussion, not necessarily a competition
So what’s an argument?

3. Three Possible Goals of an Argument
To completely change the thinking or actions of your audience
Increase or decrease belief in an already existing conviction or inclination
Construct ideas and beliefs where none existed before

4. The Seven Features of an Argument
Addressed to a specific audience at a particular time (exigency, context, and audience)
Wants something from its audience (purpose)
Gives its audience reasons for what it wants (logos)
Not all reasons are openly stated (warrants & assumptions)

5. Seven Features of an Argument (CNT)
Supported by calling on readers’ feelings and connection to the text (pathos)
The source of an argument matters (ethos)
There is always a counterargument (anti-logos)

6. The Rhetorical Situation
In addition to the rhetorical situation, there are always constraints on the argument: time, resources, location, method and mode of delivery, format or forum What constraints might you face for writing arguments in this class?

7. The Three Appeals
Classical rhetoric uses the appeals as a form of analysis
Logos: The basic case made in an argument: claims, evidence, reasons, beliefs, and values
Ethos: The impression the author gives the audience; credibility and reliability
Pathos: The connection between the audience and the text, used when the author touches on feelings, values, or beliefs
Of the three, ethos is the hardest to accomplish and the easiest to lose

8. Toulmin Logic
Like The Rhetorical Situation, Toulmin Logic is a method for rhetorically analyzing texts. It is comprised of three parts:
Claim: the main point, conclusion, thesis, or end point of your argument
Evidence: the specific facts, beliefs, values, and explanations that support your claims
Warrants: an inference, assumption, value, or belief that is often unstated in an argument but must be believed if the claim is to be accepted

9. Example: Warrants Claim/thesis Darth Vader is Luke’s father
Evidence/grounds Anakin Skywalker is Luke’s father
Warrant/assumptions Darth Vader is Anakin Skywalker

10. Examples: Warrants Claim: The Atkins diet is healthy
Evidence: People on the Atkins diet lose weight
Warrant: ?
Claim: Abortion is wrong
Evidence: Abortion stops a beating heart

11. Examples: Warrants Claim: Lisa Simpson is smart
Evidence: Lisa Simpson was accepted to Yale
Warrant: ?
Claim: Rap is poetry
Evidence: Rap has stressed and unstressed syllables

12. Philosophic Logic: Syllogism
Major Premise (warrant)
All men are mortal
Minor Premise (reason)
Socrates is a man
Conclusion (claim)
Therefore, Socrates is mortal

13. What Does Syllogism Not Account For?
Major Claim
Jack has five sisters
Minor Claim
Five of Jack’s sisters have red hair
Conclusion
All of Jack’s sisters have red hair
Context! Will Jack’s sisters always have red hair? Does everyone agree on shades of red? Etc.

14. Enthymeme: “Common Sense”
We don’t argue or speak in syllogisms
Readers supply the warrants themselves
This is typically referred to as “common sense”, or obvious knowledge
Keep in mind how your “common sense” might differ from a reader’s “common sense”

15. Qualifiers Also known as “hedge” argument
A word or phrase that adjusts the certainty or conviction of the argument
Can considerably weaken your argument
Probably
Usually
In my opinion
Sometimes
Often
Some/others say

16. Rebuttals or Conditions
When the author acknowledges the complexity of life or the fluidity of context
If certain conditions are present, the argument may be believed or disbelieved counter to the author’s claims If
Unless

17. Core Argument Building Blocks
Values
Facts
What is the difference? (sword exercise)

18. Connotative: What is it about? What do people associate/feel about it?
Ex: Zorro, the Marines, cocktails
Denotative: What can be observed? What can be “factual?”
Ex: a drawing, chalk, a sword
Ideology & Argument
A system of ideas or ideals, belief or value systems

19. Ways to Argue: Definitions
A is/is not B, because 1, 2, and 3
Tattoos are art, because they are designed, have cultural associations, and are meant for display
Ways to Argue: Definitions

20. Ways to Argue: Causal X causes Y because 1, 2, and 3
X causes Y which causes Z
X is a result of Y
Example
During the 2012 Olympics, equally-ranked competitive figure skaters Johan von Wolfenstein and Ludwig von Finklestein performed the same choreography at the same level. However, Johan added a triple- axle to the end of his routine.
Because Johan von Wolfenstein added a triple axle, he won the gold medal while Ludwig was stuck with shameful silver.
Ways to Argue: Causal

21. Ways to Argue: Evaluation
X is better/worse than Y because 1, 2, 3
Star Wars is better than Star Trek because it’s made more money, it has won Oscars, and it has a better soundtrack.
Ways to Argue: Evaluation

22. Ways to Argue: Proposal
A should/should not do B, because 1, 2, and 3
Texas Tech should have free parking, because it could be included in tuition fees, less students would be late to class, and it would promote safety on campus
Ways to Argue: Proposal

23. What type of argument do you think you’ll use?
Definition
Causal
Evaluation
Proposal
What type of argument do you think you’ll use?