Position arguments.ppt
- 1. Creating an ArgumentPresenting a Position:
- 2. Step #1:Finding an Arguable Issue
- 3. If you cannot answer “Yes” to all of the following questions, change or modify your issue.
- 4. ______ Yes _____ NoIs this an issue that has not been resolved or settled?
- 5. _____ Yes _____ NoAre you willing to consider different positions and, perhaps, modify your own views on the issue?
- 6. ____ Yes _____ NoAre you engaged with this issue enough to interest your audience?
- 7. _____ Yes _____ NoCan you get enough information that provides convincing insights on this issue?
- 8. _____ Yes _____ NoCan you get a clear, limited focus on this issue, even if it is complicated?
- 9. Step #2:Stating a Claim
- 10. Your claim . . .Is the position you want to take on an issueExamples:Cocaine and heroin should be legalized.Women should be allowed to join combat units in the military.
- 12. A reason . . .Is the subclaim that supports your main claimThink of reasons as because statements attached to your main claim.Should take into account your audience and its values to establish ethos
- 13. Example:Cocaine and heroin should be legalized because taking drug sales out of the hands of drug dealers would reduce street violence.
- 14. Example:Cocaine and heroin should not be legalized because doing so will send the message that it is okay to use hard drugs.
- 15. Qualifying your claim or reason
- 16. Qualifying a Claim:Problematic: After-school jobs are bad for teenagers.Qualified:After-school jobs are often bad for teenagers.
- 17. Qualifying a Reason:Problematic: Cocaine and heroin should not be legalized because that will send the message that it is okay to use hard drugs.Qualified: Cocaine and heroin should not be legalized because that could send the message that it is okay to use hard drugs.
- 18. Step #4:Articulating Underlying Assumptions
- 19. Claim + Reason =Silent Assumption
- 20. Claim with Reason: Cocaine and heroin should be legalized because taking drug sales out of the hands of drug dealers would reduce street violence.Underlying Assumption: Street violence is bad partly because of illegal drug sales.
- 21. Claim with Reason: Women should be allowed to join combat units because the image of women as soldiers would help overcome gender stereotyping.Underlying Assumption: Gender stereotyping of women needs to be overcome.
- 22. Will Your Audience Accept Your Assumption?Don’t assume so. You need to make it explicit and support it!
- 23. Now let’s try this.
- 24. Step #5:Using Evidence Effectively
- 25. Your reasons and assumptions need to be supported by evidence.Facts
- 28. Statistics
- 30. SubargumentsStep #6:Addressing Objections and Counterarguments
- 32. Once objections are anticipated:Summarize the objection fairly, making your reader’s best case against your argument.Then, either:Refute the opposing argument by arguing against their reasons and/or assumptions.Concede to opposing view, but then shift the argument to your own reasons to show how your claim makes a strong argument.