An argument consists of?
purpose, audience and situation
What is the purpose in an argument?
persuasion
Who is the audience in an argument?
who you are trying to persuade
What is the situation in an argument?
language and format
How to analyze an argument?
- what the writer is speaking
- writers position or thesis
- identify the strongest part
- identify the weakest part
- determine position on writers stance
What makes a solid argument?
- a question that drives the research
- identify why care (why worth having)
- use specific terms
- use objective terms (not to condemn but persuade)
Characteristics of an effective thesis
- sentence at end of intro paragraph that identifies most important point in the essay
- arguable
- specific
- identify core focus
Introduction to Essay
- provides specific context for argument
- makes bold claims
- includes thesis at end
Counter Argument of Essay
- addresses alternative perspective
- addresses the weaknesses
- acknowledge validity of the other perspectives
- proves strength in arguments by demonstrating strong points against it
*cannot go in introduction or conclusion
*must test counter argument
Conclusion to Essay
- moves away from the summary
- answers the question “so what”
- addresses significance of argument
- provides readers with something to do or think
- is not a summary of your argument or restatement of thesis
What is a logical fallacy?
- breakdowns or flaws in logic
Fallible?
not perfect
Infallible
perfect
Deductive Reasoning
- tries to get certainty
ex. if a=b and b=c then c=a
Inductive Reasoning
- conclusion drawn from an array of facts
*concerned with probability not certainty
Requirements of Inductive Reasoning
- sufficient evidence = lots of evidence
- representative evidence = different types
- relevant evidence = what drawing conclusion on
Hasty Generalization
- an argument that draws a sweeping conclusion based on little evidence
ex. I shouldn’t drink too much coffee tiktok says it causes cancer
Band Wagon Appeal
- bases ones opinion on your choice
- urges the audience to agree with majority
ex. most people think x is true, therefor x is true
Circular Reasoning
*begging the question
- supports the argument by restating the argument in different words
- assumes what your trying to prove
- happens when you hear something off assumptions
ex. marvel movies are popular because most people love them
Either-Or (False Dilemma)
- argues that two alternatives are possible in a situation that is actually more complex
ex. if your not vegan you don’t care about animals
Ad Hominem (To the Man)
- arguments that make personal attacks on those who support opposing side rather than address the position itself
ex. of course she doesn’t like kids, she doesn’t have any of her own.
Faulty Analogies
- comparisons that do not hold up in some way that is crucial to the argument they used to support
ex. parents who aren’t doctors are not allowed to operate on their children, therefore parents who aren’t teachers should not be allowed to teach their children.
Post Hoc ( post hoc, ergo propter hoc)
- after this therefore because of this
ex. event a happened, event b happened. event a caused event b.
Slippery Slope
- argues that if a certain event occurs it will set off a chain of events that will cause disaster
ex. if i fail this final i will be penniless
ex. no morning coffee results in the worst day ever
