FORMAL ARGUMENT PARTS OF AN ARGUMENT CLAIM REASONS

FORMAL ARGUMENT

PARTS OF AN ARGUMENT �CLAIM �REASONS �EVIDENCE �COUNTERCLAIM �REBUTTAL

CLAIMS* A claim persuades, argues, convinces, proves, or provocatively suggests something to a reader who may or may not initially agree with you. Claims do not have to be for/against, black/white issues. They are often complex and debatable.

CLAIMS* Claims define a paper’s goal and direction. Claims are the most important part of an essay. If the claim is boring or obvious, it is likely that the rest of the essay will follow suit.

AIMS A good claim should have four characteristics: ARGUABLE INTERESTING MANAGEABLE SPECIFIC

ARGUABLE* ARGUMENT Is supported by evidence Can be challenged Is more than a statement of opinion ▪ More reasoning than “just because, okay. ” Answers the “so what? ” questions ▪ Implications of why it’s important

ARGUABLE* OPINION: Twinkies are delicious. ARGUMENT: Twinkies taste better than other snack cakes because of their texture, creamy filling, and golden appearance. WHY IS THIS A BETTER CLAIM? • SUPPORTED • DEBATABLE

ARGUABLE* OPINION: I like dance music. ARGUMENT: Dance music has become popular for reasons that have nothing to do with the quality of the music; rather, the clear, fast beats respond to the need of people on amphetamines to move, and to move quickly. WHAT ARE THE CLAIM’S AIMS?

INTERESTING Claims so not parrot or copy what everyone else is saying. Through research, decide on your own ideas Take a unique stance on the topic Try to view it from a new angle

MANAGEABLE Claims should provide scope. �Map/directions to conclusion Does not have to provide everything, rather an idea of where the essay goes. Does not have to state three examples (ala the five-paragraph essay). �Fill the length requirement yet avoid repetition

SPECIFIC Details and specifics allow the claim to �Take a specific side or stance on the issue �Provide scope �Allow the audience to expect what is coming

IMPROPER CLAIMS** This paper will address the characteristics of a good corporate manager. The very trait that makes for an effective corporate manager—the drive to succeed —can also make the leader domineering and therefore ineffective.

IMPROPER CLAIMS* OPINION: I think Virginia Woolf is better than James Joyce. ARGUMENT: Virginia Woolf is a more effective writer than James Joyce because she does not rely on elaborate language devices that ultimately confuse and alienate the reader.

IMPROPER CLAIMS*** Pollution is bad for the environment. Drug use is detrimental to society Violent revolutions have had both positive and negative results for man. The jeans industry targets its advertisements to appeal to young adults.

IMPROPER CLAIM*** � At least 25 percent of the federal budget should be spent on helping upgrade business to clean technologies, researching renewable energy sources, and planting more trees in order to control or eliminate pollution. � Illegal drug use is detrimental because it encourages gang violence. � By inventing new terms, such as “loose fit” and “relaxed fit”, the jean industry has attempted to normalize, even glorify, its product for an older and fatter generation. � Although violent revolutions begin to redress long-standing social inequities, they often do so at the cost of long-term economic dysfunction and the suffering that attends it.

IMPROPER CLAIMS** An important part of one’s college education is learning to better understand others’ points of view. Although an important part of one’s college education is learning to better understand others’ points of view, a persistent danger is that the students will simply be required to substitute the teacher’s answers for the ones they grew up uncritically believing.

CLAIMS* Claims cannot rely on the following “evidence” Because I said so Because my friends/relatives think so Because most people think so Because it’s tradition Because that’s the way it’s always been Because it’s obvious Because it’s morally right

REASONS and EVIDENCE Reasons are the logic behind a claim Connect the evidence to the claim Evidence The data, statistics, expert testimony, etc. that provides substantial proof of your claim Play the skeptic ▪ What and how much would it take to convince you?

COUNTERCLAIMS �Argue for an opposition Not necessarily one to consider Multiple may exist �Address and refute as you can Do NOT ignore important counterclaims

CONCESSIONS Conceding is admitting where the opposition has a valid point Every argument will have at least one thing to concede. Conceding strengthens the argument.

REFUTATIONS Refuting, or arguing against a counterclaim, Strengthens the argument Is not always possible Can be tricky ▪ Don’t resort to logical fallacies or name-calling ▪ We will address these another day Stay on topic Use credible evidence

CONCESSIONS Claim: The most effective way to combat pollution is to use hybrid cars. Counterclaim: We should focus not on hybrid cars but using public transportation, instead. Concession and Refutation: While using public transportation would cut down on pollution more than hybrid cars would, it is not feasible because the current public transit system is not effective enough for the majority of the city’s residents.

Example Identify the �Claim �Reasons �Evidence �Counterclaim �Concessions �Refutations argument_student example_dress code. docx

SOURCES "Claims, Claims. " University of Washington Writing and Research Center. University of Washington. Web. 1 Dec. 2015. Rosenwasser, D. , and J. Stephens. "Weak Thesis Statements: Recognizing and Fixing Them. " Weak Thesis Statements: Recognizing and Fixing Them. University of Arizona, n. d. Web. 01 Dec. 2015. "Welcome to the Purdue OWL. " Purdue OWL: Establishing Arguments. Purdue University, n. d. Web. 01 Dec. 2015.