Argumentative /Persuasive Reading

1
Argumentative /Persuasive Reading
writing

• Reading an Argument
• Considering Rhetorical Context
• (Author,Audience,Date/Place of Publication)

2
Guidelines for Determining Rhetorical Context

• Who wrote this argument,and what are his/her
  training,personal background,and political
  learning?
• Who is the intended audience?
• Where did it appear originally?
• When was the argument written?
• Why was the article written?

3
A Step-By-Step analysis of Toulmin Method of
evaluation of logical pattern

• Analyze the Claim
• Identify the Claim
• Look for Qualifiers Absolute,Relative,or
  Universal /typically /usually /most of the
  time
• Find the Exceptions
• Summarize the Claim
• Assess the arguers refutations
• Note the Counter Arguments

4
Argumentation versus Persuasion

• These words are often used interchangeably.
• Argumentation the process of forming reasons and
  of drawing conclusions and applying them to a
  case in discussion. An argument involves the
  process of establishing a claim and then proving
  it with the use of logical reasoning, examples,
  and research.
• Persuasion the tactical process of moving to a
  belief, position or a course of action.

5
Argument

• Good argumentative writing is more defined when
  utilized with other forms of writing such as
  description, a short narrative, classification,
  cause and effect,comparison/contrast, etc.

6
Styles of argumentative of writing

• Toulmin model Follows the pattern of a claim
  (proposition/thesis), data (support) with
  qualifiers, warrant, and a concession.
• Rogers model Use of Rogerian arguments to come
  to a conclusion that mixes both views of the
  issue to reach a common ground.

7
the uses.

• Everyday life
• Workplace
• Academic environment
• Reading and Listening- (current events)

8
The basics of an argument

• Your position and know the purpose of your essay
• Analyze your audience
• Reasons
• Evidence Research your topic

9
Audience

• Write with sincerity towards audience
• using an ethical appeal
• Dont write with an arrogance or with disregard
  to opposing views
• Try starting in introduction, gaining confidence
  of audience
• This approach will show your concern and
  fair-minded purpose

10
Writing an argumentative

• Choose an interesting controversial issue
• Focus on a question related to your topic
• Choose a position
• Acknowledge opposing positions
• Investigate topic and get informed

11
Persuasive Essay Outline

• I- Introduction
• A. Hook
• B. Background Information if necessary
• C.Thesis or focus statement

12
Persuasive Essay Outline Contin.

• II. First argument or reason to support your
  position
• A. Topic sentence explaining your point
• B. Elaboration

13
Persuasive Outline Contin.

• III.Second Argument or reason
• IV. Third Argument
• V. Opposing viewpoint
• A Opposing point to your argument
• B.Rebuttal to the opposing point
• C. Elaboration Syllogistic Logic

VI. Conclusion A. Summary of main points or
reasons B. Restate thesis statement C.
Comments or call to action
14
The Thesis

• Outlines and gives a clear and concise main idea
  of essay
• Cant be a declared fact (wont be argumentable)
• Declares something is fact, by providing evidence
  throughout essay
• Supports a policy
• Calls for action
• Asserts value

15
Introduction in Argumentative/Persuasive essays
include

• A hook or grabber to catch attention(Strong
  StatementCigarettes are the number one cause of
  lung cancer in the world!),(QuotationsE.Hubbard
  once said, Truth is stronger than fiction.),
  Statistics,anecdote,a question,exaggeration or
  outrageous statementThe whole world watched as
  the comet flew overhead.
• Thesis or focus statement Topic,stance,Purpose,sc
  ope,organization

16
Example Introduction

• GrabberStrong StatementOf all the problems
  facing the environment today,the one that bothers
  me the most is global warming.Some scientists say
  that the earth is getting warmer because of the
  greenhouse effect.ThesisIn this paper I will
  describe the greenhouse effect and whether the
  atmosphere is actually getting warmer.

17
THE BODY of a Persuasive

• Provide evidence to support the opinion offered
  in the thesis statement
• Use Deductive/Inductive reasoning to provide
  solid reasons to back your thesis
• Elaborate with the use of statistics or
  research,examples,or real-life experiences
• Clarify a position,draw comparison,make an
  analysis,draw an analogy,refute counter
  arguments,and generate hypothetical
  instances(cuese.g. suppose that,what if,etc.)

18
Conclusion

• Restate your thesis or focus statement
• Summarize the main points by paraphrasing
• Write a personal comment or call for action with
  a prediction,with a question to draw readers own
  conclusion,with a recommendation stressing the
  actions or remedies that should be taken

19
General Guideline for Writing a Persuasive Essay

• Have a firm opinion that you like your audience
  to accept
• Begin with a grabber or hook
• Offer evidence to support your opinion
• Discuss and refute the opposing views
• Conclude with a restatement of what you want the
  reader to do or believe

20
Obtaining information

• By reading
• Conversation with others
• Use your own observations
• Questionnaire
• Periodicals
• Always cite sources used
• Make sure the information you receive is relevant
  and credible and valid

21
Evidence

• Includes
• Established Truths
• Historical, scientific, and geographical facts
• Authoritative point of view
• Primary sources
• Statistics
• Personal experience/Examples

22
Managing evidence

• Reliability
• How much endorsing evidence?
• Contradictory
• How well established is evidence?
• Does it support/fit your claim?
• Allow it to be conclusive

23
The Three Persuasive Appeals

• Logos
• Logic- the appeal to reason
• Pathos
• Emotion- the appeal to emotion
• Ethos
• Credibility- the appeal of ones character

24
Logos reasoning strategies

• Induction A process through which the premises
  provide some basis for the conclusion.
• Deduction A process through which the premises
  provide conclusive proof for the conclusion.
  Reductio ad Absurdum (to reduce to absurdity) To
  question a position by showing that its
  consequence are problematic if carried to their
  logical end.

25
Questions of Credibility

• Has the reader been able to rely on what you have
  said in the past? If they are unfamiliar with
  you
• Do you know what youre talking about? Are you
  familiar with all sides of the issue?
• Have you done your research on the issue?
• Have you documented your researchthoroughly and
  accurately?
• Have you thoughtfully addressedthe opposition?

26
Some Ways to Use the Three Appeals
Credibility Logic Emotion
Show that you are fair- and open-minded Point to other experts or an authority other than yourself Cite research Show why people should listen to you and you believe Rely primarily on facts Use deductive or inductive reasoning to reach your conclusion Use classical argument, including reason and evidence to support your claim Use emotionally charged or highly connotative words Appeal to peoples fears, concerns, passions, vanity, sense of justice, and so forth Take advantage of rhythm and refrain in language
27
Syllogism

• The simplest sequence of logical premises and
  conclusions
• every syllogism contains at least three parts
• a major premise (global assumption)
• a minor premise (specific claim)
• a conclusion
• IF AB and BC, then AC

28
Enthymeme

• shorten version of syllogism
• a syllogism without stating either the major or
  minor premise (it is implied)
• less formal than the syllogism
• sometimes more persuasive
• are often because statements

29
Fallacies mistakes made in the logic of
arguments

• Common fallacies found in arguments include
• Hasty Generalizations- a conclusion based on
  insufficient or biased evidence
• Non Sequitur- It does not follow
• Slippery slope- the snow ball effect
• Card Stacking-presenting part of the claim
• Stereotyping
• Ad populum- an emotional appeal that speaks to
  positive (such as patriotism, religion,
  democracy) or negative (such as terrorism or
  fascism) concepts rather than the real issue at
  hand

30
Fallacies (cont.)

• Either/Or
• Begging the claim- conclusion that the writer
  should prove is validated within the claim(
  Circular argument)
• Arguing Off the point
• The argument ad Hominem- attack the persons
  character than their opinion
• Appeal to crowd
• Guilt by association
• Post Hoc, ergo Propter Hoc-after this, therefore
  because of this
• Faulty analogy assuming two unlike things are
  similar when in fact they are not
• Red Herring

31
Avoid also

• Strawman tactics- pointing out and focusing on
  flimsy weaknesses of opposing side.
• Anonymous authority- refers to a source of
  authority but does not name the source nor
  explain its legitimacy.
• This will show that you are trying to prove your
  position by disregarding other facts.

32
True argument vs. valid argument

• true argument- argument that has conclusion that
  people commonly consider to be fact based on
  their worldly experience or wide-spread belief
• valid argument- argument that has a conclusion
  that logically follows its underlying assumption
  regardless of whether the assumption is true or
  not

33
Revising

• Consider the objections of the opposing appeal
• Do you capture the audience?
• Is evidence appropriate to the argument?
• Are the authorities qualified to be used as a
  source?
• Is the proposition clearly stated?
• Is it free of fallacies?

34
Tips of writing an essay

• Avoid emotional language
• Be able to determine difference between a logical
  conclusion and an emotional point of view
• Dont make up evidence
• Cite your sources
• Make an outline- DO THE WRITING PROCESS
• Be prepared to defend your side by knowing the
  strongest arguments for the other side.

35
Concluding

• Restate your position.
• Summarize your main points.
• Predict the consequences if it does or does not
  prevail.
• Prepare to end your essay possibly with an
  emotional appeal.

36

• The End!