“In simple terms, an argument is a statement, called a claim*, supported by other statements called reasons and assumptions” (Hatch xiii).

*The statement under dispute; at least some people would disagree

ARGUMENT

Claim supported with reasons & assumptions

Degree of credibility

Constructive Clarifies &

persuades

DISAGREEMENT

Opinion or claim only

Contradictions Emotions run hot Destructive Foggy

afterthoughts

Argument is social in nature—can help people:

join together resolve conflictwork collaborativelyclarify beliefsproduce new & better ideas

Argument coincides with the college goal of critical thinking*—i.e., analyzing and evaluating ideas in the pursuit of truth.

* Critical thinking is not just a mumbo-jumbo college concept; it is method for learning and facing life decisions.

VERBAL

Oral or written. Examples: Speeches Lectures Periodical articles Scholarly essays Technical reports Reviews Books Blogs

VISUAL

Suggested & universalExamples: T-shirts Bumper stickers Billboards Company logos Symbols Advertisements Cars Accents

“…no two people have experienced the world in exactly the same way” (Hatch xvi).

&

You must choose how you will respond to differences of opinion within your community

ARGUMENT Seeks peaceful change Seeks willing change Seeks intelligent change Seeks freedom for change

Identify arguments (a.k.a. claims supported by reasons & assumptions)

Analyze rhetorical contexts (people involved in the argument; time, place, & circumstances of the argument)

Respond to arguments we have analyzed

Pose verbal arguments of our own (writing & speaking)

Rhetorical—calling for the use of persuasion

Context—the situation & conditions under which an argument takes place

You need to know about rhetorical contexts so you can write

intelligent, persuasive arguments of your own

Subject being written aboutPurpose for writing & trying to

persuadeAudience who will read your workThesis to drive the paperBackground information to

includeRhetorical appeals to use

Argument Essay Paper AssignmentRead Ch. 1 and Ch. 7 of

“Everything’s An Argument” over the weekend. Pg. 36 #1, 3, and 6 Pg. 206 #1