Argument Argument StrategiesStrategies

Aristotle’s 4 main Aristotle’s 4 main argumentsarguments

1.1. argue about what is possible or impossibleargue about what is possible or impossible1.1. If people continue to eat foods with chemicals, it is possible that If people continue to eat foods with chemicals, it is possible that

they will infuse cells that can develop cancer.they will infuse cells that can develop cancer.

2.2. argue about what happened or didn’t argue about what happened or didn’t happenhappen

1.1. Because people continue to eat foods that contain GMO’s, the Because people continue to eat foods that contain GMO’s, the health risks have increased in adults and their future offspring.health risks have increased in adults and their future offspring.

3.3. argue about what will happen or won’t argue about what will happen or won’t happenhappen

1.1. If people continue to eat foods that contain GMO’s, they will If people continue to eat foods that contain GMO’s, they will inevitably become ill.inevitably become ill.

4.4. argue about how big or small it isargue about how big or small it is1.1. No matter how trivial the topic of GMO is to some in society, the No matter how trivial the topic of GMO is to some in society, the

results will heighten as people become more knowledgeable results will heighten as people become more knowledgeable about GMO’s.about GMO’s.

Finding the argument - Finding the argument - reasoningreasoning

1.1. Argument by AuthorityArgument by Authority1.1. Paraphrase and summaryParaphrase and summary

2.2. Deductive ArgumentDeductive Argument1.1. A conclusion that is made up of 2 logical premisesA conclusion that is made up of 2 logical premises2.2. Moves from general to specificMoves from general to specific3.3. Provides certaintyProvides certainty

3.3. Inductive ArgumentInductive Argument1.1. Moves from specific to generalMoves from specific to general2.2. Provides probabilityProvides probability

Socrates was Greek. (premise)Socrates was Greek. (premise)Most Greeks eat fish. (premiseMost Greeks eat fish. (premiseSocrates ate fish. (conclusion) Socrates ate fish. (conclusion)

Deductive vs Deductive vs InductiveInductive

All humans are All humans are mortal. (major mortal. (major premise)premise)

Socrates is a human. Socrates is a human. (minor premise) (minor premise) 

Therefore, Socrates Therefore, Socrates is mortal. is mortal. (conclusion)(conclusion)

** This cat is black. This cat is black.

** That cat is black That cat is black

** A third cat is A third cat is black. Therefore black. Therefore all cats are black. all cats are black.

This marble from the bag This marble from the bag is black.is black.

That marble from the bag That marble from the bag is black. is black.

A third marble from the A third marble from the bag is black. bag is black.

Therefore all the marbles Therefore all the marbles in the bag black.in the bag black.

If Joe has acute If Joe has acute appendicitis, he is appendicitis, he is very sick. Joe does very sick. Joe does have acute have acute appendicitis. appendicitis. Therefore he is very Therefore he is very sicksick

Toulmin’s argumentsToulmin’s argumentsclaim – support - warrantclaim – support - warrant

HYPOTHESIS / THESISHYPOTHESIS / THESIS Claim of fact – something is or wasClaim of fact – something is or was Claim of value – something is better than…Claim of value – something is better than… Claim of policy – something should be doneClaim of policy – something should be doneGROUNDS – reasons-GROUNDS – reasons- Evidence of support for your thesis - argumentsEvidence of support for your thesis - argumentsWARRANT - supportWARRANT - support Facts, interpretations of facts, evaluation of facts, and Facts, interpretations of facts, evaluation of facts, and

evaluation of interpretations (statement upon evaluation of interpretations (statement upon statement)statement)

BACKING – assumptionsBACKING – assumptions Expressed or unexpressed connection between Expressed or unexpressed connection between

evidence and its thesis or warrant and its grounds – it evidence and its thesis or warrant and its grounds – it is reasons for its reasons.is reasons for its reasons.

Statement upon Statement upon statementstatement

Find a statement (warrant / evidence)Find a statement (warrant / evidence) In your own words, what does that mean?In your own words, what does that mean? What is your opinion of that statementWhat is your opinion of that statement Find a source who supports or opposes Find a source who supports or opposes

your opinionyour opinion Write what you think about the source Write what you think about the source

who supports or opposes your opinionwho supports or opposes your opinion

AssignmentAssignment

Apply the “statement upon Apply the “statement upon statement “ to two of your statement “ to two of your paragraphs and see how it develops.paragraphs and see how it develops.

Paraphrase / Summarize two Paraphrase / Summarize two passages that you plan to use in your passages that you plan to use in your paper.paper. Type the original passage, then type the Type the original passage, then type the

paraphrase / summary.paraphrase / summary.