Z

1
Constructing Evaluation and Definition Arguments
Basic Structure of Thesis X is Y because Z Ex/
The senate proposal on immigration offers amnesty
because it gives immediate citizenship to illegal
aliens. In San Diego County, for example, border
fencing remains a critical part of our continuing
effort to address the problems commonly
associated with illegal immigration. Because
X
Ex/ Proposed fence along the US-Mexico border
is a critical part of our effort to address the
problems associated with illegal immigration
Y
because it has reduced the traffic of illegal
narcotics and dangerous criminals into the US.
Z
2
Criteria-Match Argument
All definition and evaluation arguments attempt
to fit particular items into categories by
matching qualities in these items to the
categories criteria.
Category
Item
Two questions 1. What does something have to
be in order to fit into the category? 2. How can
I show that the item has the qualities necessary
to fit into this category?
1. Criteria
2. Match
3
Criteria-Match Argument
Note Not all criteria must be matched to the
item in order for an argument to be effective.

• Criteria necessary for things to be part of a
  solution to the problems of illegal immigration
• Keep illegal drugs out of the US
• Keep those who traffic in illegal drugs--and all
  other criminals--out of the country, thereby
  reducing crime
• Keep foreign nationals from evading the proper
  path to citizenship and legal work in the US
• Provide a fair and expedient process to allow
  deserving foreign nationals into the US job market

Solution to problems ofillegal immi-gration.
match
match
match
Note Those promoting increased border security
and reforms to immigration law obviously favor a
wider range of criteria for any solution to be
considered a solution to the problems of illegal
immigration.
4
Criteria-Match Argument
The sine qua non.

• Sometimes, you will encounter situations in
  which one criterion and only one must be proven
  in order to make an evaluation or definition
  argument.
• For instance, in order to prove that someone is
  a murderer, you must prove that this person has
  committed at least one murder. Regardless of all
  other criteria, without this one, you have no
  argument. This criterion is the sine qua non
  (translated from Latin, the without which,
  nothing) of your category, and it deserves much
  attention. (Ex/ regardless of all other
  criteria, if a fence can reduce the number of
  illegal criminals from entering the country, then
  we can call it a solution to the problems of
  illegal immigration.)
• Of course, you can invent a sine qua non
  argument by claiming--convincingly--that all
  other criteria about which people are bickering
  do not matter without consideration of a
  particular factor.

5
Criteria-Match Argument
Process for inventing evaluation and definition
arguments

• Decide upon your item and the category in which
  you want to fit that item

2. Decide upon the criteria necessary for
inclusion in that category--try to overinvent here
3. Decide which criteria will be most convincing
to your audience, and which must be illustrated
in order for them to believe your argument
4. Find ways to match the most convincing
criteria to your item