College Wri*ng English 101. Chapter 1: Argument Introduc*on

Transcription

1 College Wri*ng English 101 Chapter 1: Argument Introduc*on

2 Argument Is! A crea*ve and produc*ve ac*vity that engages us at high levels of inquiry & cri*cal thinking, oden in conversa*on involving like & respect (2)! Seeking best solu*on to a problem! Seeking truth, to clarify own values, and to take a personal stand

3 Argument Is Not! A fight or quarrel! A pro/con debate! A game to be won or lost

4 Argument Types Explicit! Directly states claim! Supports with reasons and evidence Both persuade audience toward a certain point of view Implicit! Indirectly states claim! LiRle or no reasons or evidence! Examples: bumper s*cker, billboard, poster, photo, cartoon, vanity plate, slogan on t- shirt, adver*sement, poem, song lyric

5 Ac*vity 1: Adver*sements (p. 3-5)! Find an adver*sement online. Label it as explicit or implicit.! Defend your choice and give your ra*onale.! Listen to your classmates: do you disagree with anyone s ra*onale? Why?

6 Ac*vity 1: Step 2! What role does culture, gender, age, religion, ethics, educa*on, socio- economics, etc. play in the ads?! What role does culture, gender, age, religion, ethics, educa*on, socio- economics, etc. play in the ads?! What is the problem with implicit arguments?

7 Ac*vity 2: Poli*cal Statements (p. 6-8)! What is cultural context?! A) What is the issue or controversy shown in each picture?! B) What is the claim (value, belief, posi*on) assumed in each picture?! C) What are some opposing or alternate views?! D) What examples of logos and pathos are present in each picture?

8 Argument: Defining Features! Explicit arguments arempt to provide reasons and evidence to support claims.! Argument is both a process and a product, and it combines truth seeking with persuasion.! Process: to seek solu*on to conflict, ques*on, problem! Product: the contribu*on to conversa*on! Arguments have two condi*ons:! two or more conflic*ng asser*ons! arempt to resolve conflict through an appeal to reason

9 Argument: Steps to Development! First, clarify & support the reasons presented.! An*cipate the sorts of ques*ons and assump*ons which will be raised.! ODen, ques*ons require a re- examina*on and clarifica*on of assump*ons.

10 Truth Seeking Persuasion Topic Audience Exploratory essay examining all sides of an issue Argument as inquiry, asking audience to think out issue with writer Dialogic argument seeking common ground with a resistant audience Classical argument aimed at a neutral or possibly skeptical audience Onesided argument aimed at a friendly audience (often for fundraising or calls to action) Aggressive one-sided arguments Outright propaganda

11 Problem of Truth: Do you focus on truth or win at all costs?! Is truth found in the ideal world and philosophy? (Socrates)! Or can truth be defined by those in power? (Sophists)! NOW, contemporary thinkers believe in a blend: there are oden different degrees of truth and different kinds of truths for different situa*ons or cultures (15)! Truth seeking means taking responsibility for finding the best solu6on, considering the good of the community and interests of all stakeholders.! Involves ethical decisions and jus*ce for all, not only those in power.

12 Ac*vity 3: Role- Play (p. 16)! Read Case 1. The class will divide into 8 groups, each represen*ng one role (a- g).! Choose a starter (speaks first), alternate (speaks second), and coach (background help).! Each starter and alternate will have 2 opportuni*es to speak so plan 2-4 reasons or explana*ons. The coach will be listening to other roles and offering new reasons or ques*ons to the starter and alternate.! AFTER: are all arguments just? Which arguments were truth seeking? Persuasive? Both?

13 Types of Issues for Wri*ng (p. 17)! Defini*on and Resemblance: defining or categorizing a topic! Cause/consequence (effect): determining why something happens, and what might be done to cause or prevent a result! Evalua*on: determining effec*veness of a plan or the necessary criteria for a qualifica*on! Proposal: crea*ng a new plan to deal with a topic

14 Ac*vity 4: Idea Log! In your notebook, begin a running list of topics you are interested in learning more about. (Keep adding to the list as we discuss things in class.)! What type of purposes are your topics truth seeking or persuasive? Defini*on, Cause, Evalua*on, Proposal?! Label your topics.! Reflec*on: what type of purpose is stronger for you?

15 Takeaway: Purpose of Argument (Purpose of this class!)! Arguments helps communi*es se:le conflicts in a ra6onal and humane way by finding, through exchange of ideas, the best solu6ons to problems without resor*ng to violence or other asser*ons of power.