Writing an Argumentative Essay Terry C Norris Fall

Writing an Argumentative Essay Terry C. Norris Fall 2015

Overview �Types o With research § Evidence from outside, authoritative sources § Sources cited within the paper and on the Works Cited page o Without research § Evidence from personal experience or general knowledge § No citations or Works Cited page

Overview �Goal – Choose, develop, and prove a position on a controversial issue (difference of opinion) �Process o Read o Choose a topic/issue o Gather evidence o Choose a position o Use evidence to prove your position o Use evidence to disprove opposition

Definitions Controversial Topic/Issue o Room for a difference of opinion Evidence o Facts about the topic/issue Position o What you believe about the topic/issue (“should, ” “should not”) Argument o Systematic presentation of evidence to prove your position Opposition o Arguments against your position Refutation o Arguments that disprove opposition arguments

Process �Read o Note possible positions on the topic/issue o Note significant facts about the topic/issue �Choose a position o Decide which position is strongest based on the facts �Use evidence that supports your position o Note evidence that supports your position o Build arguments that support your position �Use evidence that disproves opposition arguments o Note evidence that refutes opposition o Build arguments that refute opposition arguments

Patterns of Reasoning �Induction (circumstantial) o Examine all the evidence you can find and come to a probable conclusion (position) based on the evidence o Example – The Declaration of Independence o Caution – Leave room for exceptions: § “It seems likely that. . ” § “It is probably the case that. . ” If the facts are true, the conclusion might be true, but you may have overlooked some evidence that does not support your position.

Patterns of Reasoning �Deduction (definite) �The evidence necessarily leads to the conclusion o Major Premise – All humans are mortal (A/B) o Minor Premise – Socrates is a human (C/A) o Conclusion – Socrates is mortal (C/B) A = category, B = characteristic, C = item from A �If the premises are true, the conclusion must be true = o If A = B and C = A, then C must also = B o If a group has a certain characteristic, then any item out of the group must also have that characteristic. (Quantities equal to equal quantities are equal to each other. )

Patterns of Reasoning �Deduction o Invalidation § Weak information: If either of the premises is not true or just an assumption, then the conclusion is not true. § Formal Error: All dogs have four legs (A/B) q All cats have four legs (C/B) q All cats are dogs (C/A) q “C” is not an item out of “A, ” but a new category, and is associated with “B, ” the characteristic. The conclusion associates “C” with “A, ” the category, not “B, ” the characteristic.

Persuasion �Logos (λόγος) = logic, reasoning, rationale o Evidence presented clearly and consistently, without logical fallacies �Ethos (ἔθος) = ethics, honesty, credibility, fair treatment of the issue and oppositions o Evidence presented objectively, not manipulated to make your position seem right �Pathos (πάθος) = feelings, personal significance of the issue o One’s emotional investment in the issue is transferred to the reader so he can understand the significance

Persuasion �Balance o Logos, ethos, and pathos need to be balanced, with the emphasis on logos and ethos. § Logos – Sound reasoning is the basis of persuasion – one can’t argue with the facts. § Ethos – Honesty in presenting the facts gives one credibility so that the reader will trust the writer. § Pathos – An emotional undertone gives life to the argument and helps connect the reader with the writer on a personal level and helps him understand (and perhaps agree with) the writer’s position. If the writer doesn’t care, why should the reader care?

Evaluating Sources Whom can You Trust? �Determine reliability/credibility �Determine accuracy of information �Analyze reasoning/logical fallacies o Balance of Logos, Ethos, and Pathos o Pattern of reasoning § Induction q Quantity of evidence q Quality of evidence § Deduction q Truth of the premises q Structure of the argument

Using Evidence �Principle: Information from an authoritative outside source gives credibility to your point. �Method: Either quote or paraphrase, but give credit. o Introduce the information – establish credentials § Dr. _____, who has studied this issue for 20 years and written several books on it, . . . o Use the information – support your point §. . . says, “_____. ” o Connect the information – establish your point § Dr. ____’s comment shows that ______ because _____. o Cite the source

Using Evidence �Application: o Support the arguments for your position o Refute opposition arguments Your Position Evidence Opposition Position

Essay Structure �General o Introduction, Body, Conclusion o Thesis, Topic Sentences, Transitions Specific o Introduction – Overview of the issue and various positions o Thesis – Acknowledge main opposition and introduce your position o Body – Evidence that supports your arguments and refutes opposition arguments o Conclusion – Summary of your arguments and how the evidence supports your position

Essay Format �MLA o Manuscript Format § Class information, pagination, margins, line spacing, paragraphing § Check handbook or class notes o Research § In-text citations, Works Cited page § Check handbook, class notes, and MS Word

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