intro to argument analysis

Argument Argument AnalysisAnalysisIdentifying the Parts of An ArgumentIdentifying the Parts of An Argument

What is an Argument?What is an Argument?

What is an Argument?What is an Argument?

An Argument is a An Argument is a series of statements series of statements used to persuade used to persuade one’s audience that one’s audience that something is true.something is true.

Parts of an ArgumentParts of an Argument

Main ClaimMain Claim – The conclusion or idea one – The conclusion or idea one is trying to proveis trying to prove

Parts of an ArgumentParts of an Argument

Main ClaimMain Claim – The conclusion or idea one – The conclusion or idea one is trying to proveis trying to prove

Evidence Evidence – Information that supports the – Information that supports the main claimmain claim

Parts of an ArgumentParts of an Argument

Main ClaimMain Claim – The conclusion or idea one – The conclusion or idea one is trying to proveis trying to prove

Evidence Evidence – Information that supports the – Information that supports the main claimmain claim

AssumptionsAssumptions – Underlying beliefs or – Underlying beliefs or “givens”“givens”

Homecoming PartyHomecoming Party

You Your Parents

Pasotraspaso

Carl.Lacey2 Agok

Pedrosimoes7

Your Parents’ PositionYour Parents’ Position

It is not a good idea for you to attendIt is not a good idea for you to attend They can’t supervise you = alcohol + sexThey can’t supervise you = alcohol + sex Host family is unknown (unreliable?)Host family is unknown (unreliable?) You will get sick from no sleepYou will get sick from no sleep They care about you – there is no They care about you – there is no

positive sidepositive side

Your Parents’ Position

It is not a good idea for you to attend They can’t supervise you = alcohol + sex Host family is unknown (unreliable?) You will get sick from no sleep They care about you – there is no

positive side

Your Parents’ Position

It is not a good idea for you to attend They can’t supervise you = alcohol + sex Host family is unknown (unreliable?) You will get sick from no sleep They care about you – there is no

positive side

Your Parents’ Position

It is not a good idea for you to attend They can’t supervise you = alcohol + sex Host family is unknown (unreliable?) You will get sick from no sleep They care about you – there is no

positive side

Underlying Underlying AssumptionsAssumptions

They can’t supervise you = alcohol + sexThey can’t supervise you = alcohol + sex

Assumes Assumes Alcohol will be available… and Alcohol will be available… and You are unable to take care of yourself or You are unable to take care of yourself or make good decisionsmake good decisions

Underlying Assumptions

They can’t supervise you = alcohol + sex

Assumes Alcohol will be available… and You are unable to take care of yourself or make good decisions

Host family is unknown (unreliable?)

Assumes Inadequate supervision

Underlying AssumptionsThey can’t supervise you = alcohol + sex

Assumes Alcohol will be available… and You are unable to take care of yourself or make good decisions

Host family is unknown (unreliable?)

Assumes Inadequate supervision

They care about you – there is no positive side

Assumes The party is nothing special

Party: Yes!

With Thanks from Creative Commons for the following photos used:

Agok “Free Beer 3.3 Ready to Drink!” November 7, 2009 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution.]

Carl.Lacey2, “Img_4581” November 7, 2009 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution.

Pasotraspaso, “Party Time / Tiempo de Fiestas” November 7, 2009 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution.

Pedrosimoes7 “The Kiss” November 7, 2009 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution.

Parts of an ArgumentParts of an Argument

Main ClaimMain Claim – The conclusion or idea one – The conclusion or idea one is trying to proveis trying to prove

Evidence Evidence – Information that supports the – Information that supports the main claimmain claim

AssumptionsAssumptions – Underlying beliefs or – Underlying beliefs or “givens”“givens”

Homecoming PartyHomecoming Party

You Your Parents

Pasotraspaso

Carl.Lacey2 Agok

Pedrosimoes7

Your Parents’ PositionYour Parents’ Position

It is not a good idea for you to attendIt is not a good idea for you to attend They can’t supervise you = alcohol + sexThey can’t supervise you = alcohol + sex Host family is unknown (unreliable?)Host family is unknown (unreliable?) You will get sick from no sleepYou will get sick from no sleep They care about you – there is no They care about you – there is no

positive sidepositive side

Identify Main Claim and Evidence

It is not a good idea for you to attend They can’t supervise you = alcohol + sex Host family is unknown (unreliable?) You will get sick from no sleep They care about you – there is no

positive side

Underlying Underlying AssumptionsAssumptions

They can’t supervise you = alcohol + sexThey can’t supervise you = alcohol + sex Assumes Assumes You are unable to protect You are unable to protect

yourself or make good decisions yourself or make good decisionsHost family is unknown (unreliable?)Host family is unknown (unreliable?) Assumes Assumes Inadequate supervision Inadequate supervisionThey care about you – there is no positive They care about you – there is no positive

sideside Assumes Assumes The party is nothing special The party is nothing special

Party: Yes!

With Thanks from Creative Commons for the following photos used:

Agok “Free Beer 3.3 Ready to Drink!” November 7, 2009 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution.]

Carl.Lacey2, “Img_4581” November 7, 2009 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution.

Pasotraspaso, “Party Time / Tiempo de Fiestas” November 7, 2009 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution.

Pedrosimoes7 “The Kiss” November 7, 2009 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution.