Chapter 25 - Argumentation Flashcards
Define Argumentation
Is an attempt to change the reader’s present viewpoint, or at least to convince him or her that your viewpoint is a valid one.
Persuasion vs. Argumentation
Persuasiveness is a quality of all paragraph and essay writing strategies (narration, classification, etc.)
Formal argumentation is considered a separate writing strategy all together, one that follows certain guidelines.
3 Persuasive Appeals That Are Not Logical
Appeal to emotion:
- causing the reader to have a strong feeling can be an extremely persuasive technique
- they identify to the writing in some way/writing evoke emotion
Appeal to Aesthetics:
-ads for example use this type of appeal to sell
Appeal to Common Points of View
-writers sometimes take advantage of what they know are common beliefs to get their point across, even if these views are illogical.
What is Critical Thinking?
Is evaluating an argument.
This skill I used to determine how convincing someone else’s argument is for the purpose of making decisions or of helping you establish a credible argument of your own.
Define Analysis
Is the process of breaking down an argument made by someone else in order to assess its validity for the purpose of either supporting it or criticizing it and, perhaps, of suggesting better argument.
Define a Claim
A claim is a position taken by the writer; it must be supported in order to establish credibility in the minds of readers.
A claim may also be called the conclusion of an argument.
Where an essay is concerned, if may be the thesis statement; in a paragraph, it may be the topic sentence.
Define Evidence
Is a collection of facts or premises provided to support a claim made by the writer in order to establish the credibility of that claim.
In a paragraph or an essay, the evidence is often referred to as supporting detail or just support.
Define an Argument
An argument is the combination of a claim and the evidence used to support that claim.
If an essay contains an argument, the essay is referred to as an essay of argumentation.
What are the tools and components of argumentation?
Analysis
Claim
Evidence
Argument
What is an Underlying Assumption?
An underlying assumption is a belief that someone holds about oneself, others, or the world that he or she considers indisputably true.
Argumentative Techniques
- State a clear topic sentence (for a paragraph) or thesis (for an essay).
- Use examples.
- Use opinions from recognized authorities to support your points.
- Answer your critics in advance.
- Point out the results.
- Define certain terms that are central to the argument.
- Avoid common fallacies (errors) in tour argument
What are some Common Fallacies?
Ad Hominem Attack
Practical (common) point of view or belief (also known as the democratic fallacy).
Straw man (putting words into someones mouth)
False Analogy
What is Ad Hominem Attack?
In this fallacy the person making the argument expresses a personal attack against the an opponent.
Often, when someone resorts to the ad hominem attack, it is in desperation, because she/he cannot find actual evidence to support a claim that make someone else look bad.
What is Practical (common) point of view or belief (also known as democratic fallacy)
The person making an argument takes advantage of a common point of view to persuade the reader of another point of view.
The danger here is the assumption that the will of the majority determines what is right and what is wrong.
What is the Straw man Fallacy
E.g Nixon told the country he did not have sex with Lewinsky when he was being questioned on an improper relationship (deflecting?) He used straw man to dispute a claim he knew to be true.
