Arguments Make Claims!

1
Arguments Make Claims!
2
When most people think of argument, they think of
what these Zax are doing shouting and not
budging. But you see and hear arguments every
day, often without realizing it arguments that
make claims about what you should do, think,
wear, eat and be. The claim might be expressed
directly in a statement- or indirectly. Either
way, all arguments have a claim, it is the point
that is being made. When you are working with
an argument, first determine what claims it
makes. What is the point? What are you
encouraged to do, think, wear, eat or be?
3
Whats The Claim??
4
Whats The Claim??
             Leo Horoscope for Today February
9, 2008 You might feel disappointed with a
business project not unfolding as expected. Don't
lose your courage! This is simply not a favorable
day for business. You will have the opportunity
to spend more time in the company of your loved
one. You may make plans for the future.
5
Whats The Claim??
6
Arguments Make Claims!

• Next you need to determine how the claims in the
  argument work. Some categories include
  definition, value, cause and policy.
• A claim of definition explains what something
  means.
• A claim of value judges some quality so that you
  may think it is pretty, or healthy, or new and
  improved, etc.
• A claim of cause links an effect with the reasons
  for it, like when a professor tells you that you
  will get an A in the course if you ace the final.
• A claim of policy suggests a particular course of
  action.
• Keep in mind that there is a lot of overlap
  between categories in many instances.

7
This ad gives the definition of Cadillac as found
in Websters Dictionary giving them an
authoritative definition to promote their image
of excellence. Definitions offer a clean
equation this equals that, they argue what the
definition of something is or whether something
is a settled fact.
8
This magazine feature evaluates clothing and
style as good or bad it makes claims of value.
In order to be convinced by the claims you have
to accept the assumption that celebrities
outfits matter, agree that the magazines criteria
is valid, and agree that it judged the
celebrities according to that criteria.
9
This image suggests a direct causal relationship
between smoking pot and being homeless. The
words qualify the claim saying If your child is
messing with marijuana and alcohol, no one can
say how it will turn out. In other words, being
homeless is one possible outcome no one can say
how likely caused by smoking and drinking.
10
This ad suggests a course of action you should
drink milk because it makes your bones strong.
Claims of policy have to grab peoples attention
and overcome the tendency to keep doing what they
are already doing in this case, not drinking
milk. The Got Milk? ads use actors, athletes,
rock stars, etc to make their claim of policy to
as wide an audience as possible.
11
(No Transcript)