PARTS OF AN ARGUMENT A HELPFUL GUIDE DEFINITION

PARTS OF AN ARGUMENT A HELPFUL GUIDE

DEFINITION OF “ARGUMENT” • An argument makes a claim and offers reasons and evidence in support of the claim (515). • Examples of arguments can include: • Selling products through commercials and other advertisements • Convincing someone of your position on a subject • A heated (or not) exchange between two or more people • In each of these scenarios, you are asked to evaluate the claims (theses) presented as well as the evidence presented to back up those claims.

THE BASIC PARTS OF AN ARGUMENT • An argument must have an issue, a claim, and support for that claim. You cannot simply state your opinion…you must “back it up” with evidence! • Issue: the topic you are discussing • Claim: the point you want to make about the topic • Support: your evidence that proves what you are saying is sound/true/justifiable

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A GOOD AND BAD ARGUMENT Good/Effective Argument Bad/Ineffective Argument • Has a clear issue, claim, and support • Has an issue but nothing to say about that issue • Is logical and organized • Is unclear and illogical • Recognizes opposing view points and argues against them respectfully (refutation) • Appeals more to emotion that rational thinking • Still follows basic principles of essays: introduction with thesis statement, body/supporting paragraphs, conclusion, etc. • Has insufficient support or no support • Is unorganized and does not follow standard rules of writing essays

BREAK IT DOWN: ISSUE AND CLAIM The issue is the topic that a person is talking about. • It can be something controversial, a problem that needs a solution, or an idea of just about any kind. The claim is the point that the writer tries to prove about the issue. For example, if the issue is the death penalty, you may be able to come up with several claims: 1. The death penalty is wrong and should be abolished. 2. The death penalty is right and should be upheld. 3. The death penalty is right under certain circumstances but should not be given without good reason. The claim usually shows up as part of thesis statement; however, some claims are implied. It is usually best to state your claim directly instead of leaving it to the reader to make assumptions.

ARISTOTLE AND THREE TYPES OF ARGUMENTS The famous Greek philosopher Aristotle believed that you could break down arguments into 3 kinds: 1. ETHOS: an appeal to ethics and reliance on expert knowledge (you convince someone that the argument is valid because it comes from “someone who knows”) -Example: My three decades of experience in public service, my tireless commitment to the people of this community, and my willingness to reach across the aisle and cooperate with the opposition, make me the ideal candidate for your mayor. 2. PATHOS: an appeal to emotion (you seek to convince someone eliciting an emotional response from them) -Example: If we don’t move soon, we’re all going to die! Can’t you see how dangerous it would be to stay? 3. LOGOS: an appeal by using logic, facts, and reason -Example: Ladies and gentlemen of the jury: we have not only the fingerprints, the lack of an alibi, a clear motive, and an expressed desire to commit the robbery… We also have video of the suspect breaking in. The case could not be more open and shut.

THREE TYPES OF CLAIMS • Along with the three types of argument, there are three types of claims: • CLAIM OF FACT • A claim of fact can be proved or verified (data and facts). • Ex. Global warming has already taken a serious toll on the environment. • CLAIM OF VALUE • A claim of value focuses on showing how one thing or idea is better or more desirable that other things or ideas (right/wrong, acceptable/unacceptable, etc. ). • Ex. Doctor-assisted suicide is a violation of the Hippocratic oath and therefore should not be legalized. • CLAIM OF POLICY • A claim of policy offers one or more solutions to a problem. • The motion picture industry must accept greater responsibility for the consequences of violent films.

BREAKING IT DOWN: SUPPORT • Supporting a claim is necessary. No one cares about anyone’s opinion by itself. One must have evidence to support why they feel that way. It makes one’s argument more persuasive and the writer more believable. • REASON: a general statement that backs up a claim. • Reasons on their own don’t do much. Using specific examples, evidence, and even appeals to emotion or values must happen! Be as specific as possible. The more you show you know, the stronger your argument. • EVIDENCE: facts, statistics, and expert opinion, personal experience (because you could be an expert on certain things), and specific examples • EMOTIONAL APPEALS: evoke the needs and values that readers care deeply about • Appealing to Physiological Needs • Appealing to Psychological Needs • Appealing to values (a principle or quality judged to be important or worthwhile) • It is better to appeal to reason and have evidence than it is to solely rely on emotional appeals. Emotional appeals on their own do not carry much weight! Remember, not everyone shares the same values!

BREAKING IT DOWN: REFUTATION • REFUTATIONS (rebuttals) happen with a writer recognizes that not everyone will agree with him or her. • A good and effective argument will take the opposing view into account and respectfully argues against it. You do not have to change your stance; just prepare to show you are still right. • Example: • Issue and Claim: You deserve a raise at work. • Support: You work hard and you’ve been with the company a long time • Opposing View: Your boss says that other people may ask for a raise as well if you get one. • Refutation: Your bosses argument is invalid because just because people ask for something doesn’t mean that they’ve earned it. Also, you can still talk about how you have invested more time with the company than other employees and you take on more responsibility willingly. • A good argument anticipates opposing views and prepares to counteract them! Acknowledge (state the opposing view) and accommodate (show it has merit and value); then, you can argue against it.

REMINDER! The parts of an argument are: • The Issue • The Claim • The Support • The Refutation