argumentation theory
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
{5 THINGS} ARGUMENTATION
e v e r y comm. student should know about
THEORY *
#1 WHAT THE
HECK IS IT?
ARGUMENTATION THEORY, or argumentation, is the study of how conclusions can be reached through L O G I C A L R E A S O N I N G *
>>>>
which means
CLAIMS ( sound o r no t )
are based on premises
*
IT INCLUDES the arts and sciences of
CIVIL DEBATE >>
>> CONVERSATION
DIALOGUE
>> PERSUASION
and…
#2 WHO USES IT?
EVERYBODY ARGUES
{ the truth is } *
>>>>>>> the difference is the TYPE of argument >>>>>>>>>>
CONVERSATIONAL ARGUMENTATION
THERE IS…
scientific and mathematical argumentation
LEGAL ARGUMENTATION
POLITICAL ARGUMENTATION
…and finally
#3 SO WHAT?
why argue? >> when it comes down to it, we
argue because we want something…
… and in order
to get what you
want, you need
to negotiate with
other people…
Improving your communication skills, i.e., improving your arguing skills, will help
so, to ‘GET WHAT YOU WANT’ is one reason for arguing
>>
Other reasons to argue are to find out what you believe and
what other people believe and why. { }
#4 CRITICISM
argumentation
theory
had its
origins in foundationalism,
(a field of philosophy)
*
It sought to find the grounds for claims in the forms (logic) and materials (factual laws) of a universal system of knowledge
>>>>>
BUT…
Aristotle's systematic philosophy
They QUESTIONED and ultimately DISCARDED the idea that argument premises take their soundness from formal PHILOSOPHICAL systems
*
THUS THE FIELD BROADENED
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> and this caused an ongoing debate
some scholars construe the term "argument" narrowly
as exclusively written discourse or
even discourse in which all premises
are explicit { }
while others construe the term "argument" broadly
to include spoken and even nonverbal discourse to include spoken and even nonverbal discourse { }
The dispute between broad and narrow theorists is of long standing and is unlikely to be settled.
*
#5 HOW TO ARGUE
BETTER
Unlike arming people with guns
or bombs, no one will die from being
armed with the techniques of
argument.
“
” -Michael Gilbert
KEY POINTERS for arguing effectively >>>
*
Do you believe you can achieve your purpose?
know why you are arguing
What is your purpose?
{ }
know WHAT you are
arguing about
{
} What is YOUR claim? What is your co-arguer’s claim? What reasons support your claim?
DON’T ARGUE WITH FANATICS! (Assume that people have reasons for their beliefs: Do not argue with people who don’t, and limit your arguing
when people don’t have "good" reasons)
>>
just listen, argue, listen, argue
…and finally
LISTEN!
If you can restate what they said and show you really did listen, the co-arguer is
more likely to listen to you!
Chu, H. (Photographer). (2010). Associated press. [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from h8p://www.cleveland.com/world/index.ssf/2010/04/tv_poliDcal_debates_for_1st_t.html
(2008). Two men engaged in conversaDon. (2008). [Web Photo]. Retrieved from h8p://web.expasy.org/spotlight/back_issues/091/
(2011). argument. (2011). [Web Photo]. Retrieved from h8p://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/5-‐ways-‐to-‐win-‐an-‐argument/
(2010). logo poliDcs. (2010). [Web Photo]. Retrieved from h8p://thebrandbuilder.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/logo-‐poliDcs1.jpg
(2012). chalkboard formula. (2012). [Web Photo]. Retrieved from h8p://www.niemanlab.org/2012/03/the-‐newsonomics-‐of-‐crossover/
(2008). Retro tv commercial. (2008). [Web Photo]. Retrieved from h8p://potenDal2success.com/the-‐persuasion-‐experiment-‐5-‐persuasion-‐techniques-‐tested.html/trackback
(2011). law. (2011). [Web Photo]. Retrieved from h8p://blog.thansys.com/wp-‐content/uploads/2011/07/law.jpg
(2007). loving divorce. (2007). [Web Photo]. Retrieved from h8p://community.servicenow.com/blog/slightlyloony/argal-‐argument-‐puzzler
Image credit in order of which they appear