1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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?

5. 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.

6. 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

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

8. 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

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

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

11. 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?

12. 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?

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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