A good argument answers these questions Why am

A good argument answers these questions: Why am I provoked to make this argument? Why is this issue important right now? Why is this issue controversial? What are others saying on this issue? Who is on my side? What are their credentials? Who is on the other side? Why are they wrong? How are they right? Adapted from They Say/I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing. Gerald Graff and Kathy Birkenstein. Norton. 2006.

A good argument is a response to opposition:

A good argument embeds all or some of these components: Acknowledgement of the opposing side Quotations and paraphrases (references to authority) Anecdotes (little stories) A combination of objective (academic) and subjective (emotional) language Rhetorical questions Facts and figures Summaries Cause and effect statements Variety of perspectives (I, we, you, he, she, they)

A good argument refers to all or some of the following values: Note: These are overlapping: Democratic Principles: Personal freedom, expression of individuality, promotion of democracy, the right to be left alone, civil liberties, honoring the past Sense of Community: Helping others, sharing resources, considering future generations; establishing sense of belonging; caring for loved ones Desire for safety and security: Protection against enemies, protection of resources, having sufficient food and shelter, avoiding and responding to natural disaster, maintaining health Economics: Maintaining sufficient resources for now and the future, protecting personal fortunes while offering opportunities to everyone Beauty, Pleasure, Convenience

Sentence Frames for Argumentation Use these frames at the outset of your argument to establish what others have been saying on this topic: In recent _____, we have been hearing a great deal about _____________ by ____________ has been in the news recently because ____________________.

Sentence Frames for Argumentation Use this frames at the outset of your argument to introduce an ongoing debate: In discussions of _______, one controversial issue has been ______________. People who believe______ claim that________________. On the other hand, those who believe _______________ assert that ___________________________. My own view is _____________________.

Sentence Frames for Argumentation Use this frame to establish common ground on a controversial issue: When it comes to the topic of ___________, most of us would agree that ______________. Where this agreement ends, however, is on the question of ___________. Whereas some are convinced that ________________. others maintain that______________________. My own view is that______________________.

Sentence Frames for Argumentation Use these frames as you acknowledge that the opposing side has a certain degree to validity: While at one time it may have been true that_________, we can now state that__________________ makes sense when he/she/they say________, but ___________________. Despite the validity of ___________’s claim about ______, he/she/they miss the mark when it comes to____________ because__________________________.

Sentence Frames for Argumentation Use these frames to establish working definitions of key terms: For the purpose of this discussion, I will define ____________ as _____________________________. Although you might think of ___________as being just another_____________, I define it as_________________________________.

Sentence Frames for Argumentation Use these frames to establish or deny a comparison: ____________ is like ______________. They both ________________________(s) may say that __________ is like ________________, but the comparison is false because while _____________________ is_______________, it is not as ________ as they claim.

Sentence Frames for Argumentation Use these frames to establish the importance of this topic: _______ is important because_________. We should care about_______because if_______, then_____________. Ultimately, what is at stake here is______________. My discussion of _________ addresses the larger matter of ___________.

Sentence Frames for Argumentation Use these frames to trace the development of your own views on the subject: I’ve always believed that__________________ When I was a child, I used to think that_______________, but/and now I realize that______________________. At the same time that I believe__________, I also believe_________________. After careful consideration and as a result of my experience, I have/have not changed my mind about_________________.

Sentence Frames for Argumentation Use these words and phrases to establish cause and effect: Because (of)_______, ____________. Result As a result (of) resulting from resulting in consequence of consequently as a consequence Accordingly If…then… hence it follows, then since so then therefore thus

Sentence Frames for Argumentation Use these noun phrases to negatively characterize your opponents: those who disregard pessimists naysayers those who would have us believe those who live only for the moment hardliners those who take a narrow view people who live in the past people who are unaware those on the sidelines Use these noun phrases to positively characterize your supporters: progressive thinkers those who think about those who care about those who know about those who understand optimists prudent thinkers proactive people civic-minded people serious people with regard for realists