Argument and Claim Overview Building an argument Forming

Argument and Claim

Overview ➲ Building an argument ➲ Forming a claim ➲ Backing up with reasons and evidence ➲ Understanding the application (context)

Building an Argument ➲ Claims + reasons + evidence = Argument ➲ Plus Know your reader + acknowledge & respond to alternatives/questions + warrant = Sound argument ➲ Plus express your Ethos = Great argument

Build your Ethos ➲ Readers judge your implied character, quality of your mind ➲ “The ethos you project in individual argument hardens into reputation” (117) ➲ “Your reputation is the tacit sixth element in every argument you write” (117) Earn the confidence of your reader

Heart of an argument ➲ Conceptual and Practical Claim ➲ Warrants ➲ Hedges ➲ Acknowledgement and Response

Complex Argument ➲ “A claim with two or more reasons, each of which must be supported by its own evidence and perhaps justified by its own warrant. ” ➲ “Each element of an argument have to be treated as a subclaim, supported by its own argument. ” ➲ “Add warrants that connect claims and its supporting reason. ”

Evaluate your Claims Ask Questions. For example: ➲ What is my claim? ➲ What reasons support my claim? ➲ What principle makes my reasons relevant to my claim? Think about the connection/warrant. ➲ Do I acknowledge alternatives/complications, and how do I respond? ➲ What my readers are expecting?

Questions? ? ?