english 1213 dr. maxson session 5 argumentative resources & statistics frederic murray, m.l.i.s
TRANSCRIPT
English 1213Dr. Maxson
Session 5Argumentative Resources & StatisticsFrederic Murray, M.L.I.S.
Pro/Con
TOPIC
Exercise: Argumentative Resources Worksheet
Topic: Oklahoma HB 2513 & HB 2211 Amends existing law to allow concealed handgun permit holders to carry concealed handguns on college or university property.
Question: Should this law be passed?
Argumentative InformationArgumentative Information
Identify your topic State the position you will support Highlight points of your discussion Use information to support your position
Pro/Con MaterialsOpinion PollsStatistics
Helpful Keywords to UseHelpful Keywords to Use
Issue Controversy Statistic Ethical Rights Debate Attitude Trend Condition
Examples:
Rights and povertydeath penalty and Controversyhousehold spending and Trends
Pro/Con ResourcesPro/Con Resources
Book SeriesContemporary IssuesOpposing ViewpointsReference ShelfTaking Sides
Pro/Con ResourcesPro/Con Resources
CQ Researchercontains information on current and
controversial issues concentric to the U.S. Government
Issues and Controversiesprovides up-to-date, objective
information on the most prominent and hotly debated issues of the day
Which sounds better?
Oil over $100 is cause for concern.
Harvard economists believe oil over $100 is cause for concern.
A COLLECTIVE OPINION IS STRONGER THAN A SINGLE OPINION
Opinion or Fact?Opinion or Fact?
Whales are mammals. Whales are superior to dolphins. Stephen King is talented. Stephen King is a prolific writer. Abraham Lincoln was the best president
the United States has ever had. John Adams was the second president
of the United States.
Opinions vs. FactsOpinions vs. Facts
Pros (Strengths) A consensus of opinions
are much stronger than a single opinion
Reflects the culture and society that experience these issues and events (primary resource)
Cons (Weaknesses) Less concrete A view formed by
someone’s belief which can be biased
Not necessarily the truth Opinions can differ widely
Pros (Strengths) Very concrete Based in scientific/research
methodology Data supports arguments Statistics helps determine
the accuracy of information in the evaluation process
Cons (Weaknesses) Data can be manipulated Unless data collection is a
regular practice, data can become outdated and irrelevant
Which sounds better?
A lot of freshman drop out of SWOSU each academic year.
40% of freshman drop out of SWOSU each academic year.NUMBERS CARRY WEIGHT, PEOPLE ARE
INFLUENCED BY STATISTICS
Opinion ResourcesOpinion Resources
Editorials on File Ref 070.43 Ed48
Gallup Poll Ref 301.154 G13g http://www.gallup.com an organization studying human nature and
behavior for more than 70 years through public surveys
collects attitudes and opinions of individuals and key groups within the American population concerning national and international issues and events
Statistical ResourcesStatistical Resources American Attitudes
303.38 M6958a 2000 Americans at Play
790.068 W462a Education Statistics of the United States
370.9021 Ed836 Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics
364.973 B9524 2003 Statistical Handbook on the American Family
301.421 St295 1999 World Almanac
317.3 W89
http://www.swosu.edu/library/infoservices/govdocs/gov.htm
Statistical ResourcesStatistical Resources
Government InformationProvides statistical information directly from
the U.S. Government and the agencies who collect the data.
Google Unclesam www.google.com/unclesam
Online Surveys & ReportsOnline Surveys & Reports
Pew Research Center (Main Site) http://pewresearch.org
Pew Global Attitudes Project http://pewglobal.org
Pew Internet & American Life Project http://www.pewinternet.org
Pew Hispanic Center http://pewhispanic.org
Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life http://pewforum.org
World Wide Web: Resources
CNN Special Reports http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/ Includes facts, statistics, interviews of supporters and opponents, and much
more on key issues. The site maintains an archive going back to 1995. National Center for Policy Analysis http://www.ncpa.org NCPA is a non-profit, non-partisan public policy research organization
whose goal is to develop and promote private alternatives to government regulation and control, solving problems by relying on the strength of the competitive, entrepreneurial private sector.
SpeakOut.com http://speakout.com/index.html Provides issues arranged by topic categories. The site is devoted to
promoting activism in a variety of areas.
Ready to Argue
Finish the Worksheet:
Identify three sources of information in support of your defense.A.
B.
C.
