Evaluating Argument Lesson

Argument

Moving people to agree disagree, or to a position

William Woods Univ. Prof. Alison Crivellaro Cope-Lovell English 102

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What is argument?

An argument is a claim that is supported by reasons and evidence (logic, quotes, examples, and research).

Persuasion and argument are often used interchangeably. But, “persuasion” is a broad term, which includes many tactics designed to move people to a position, a belief, or a course of action. "Argument” is a specific kind of persuasion based on the principles of logic and reasoning in which the point is to be right.

The Parts of an argument

Evidence

Conclusion

Premise

Claim

Backing

Warrants

Counterargument

Rebuttal

Definitions

• Claim is: your position on a topic that can be argued.
• Evidence is:details that will support your claim (research sources, interviews, surveys, )
• Warrants are:the value that led you to this position.
• Backing is: extra evidence that will "back up" or help prove your point.
• Counterargument is the opposite of the claijm. It's the position that disagrees with the speaker's main claim. .
• Rebuttal: is the writer's response to the naysayer in the counterargument.

Evaluating Arguments

As a critical reader, you must determine the value of the messages (arguments) that you read. ou must know the parts of an argument and be able to evaluate what makes an argument successfully persuasive. When you analyze an argument, you break it down into its parts and examine them by themselves and in relation to the other parts.

Identify the argument’s claim.. Is it reasonable? Does it seem like a popular or controversial position on the topic? What do you already know about it?

What is the main purpose of this argument? Why did the author write this? Who is their target audience and what kind of reacton do they want from the audience?

Find the author’s evidence. Is it convincing? Is it true? Be skeptical. Trace sources.

PASTA - reminder!

P A S T A

 What is the purpose behind the text? Why did the author write it? What did the author want his audience to think or do as a result of reading this text?

 Who are the readers to whom this piece is directed?  Does the speaker specify an audience?  What assumptions exist in the text about the audience?

 State the subject in a few words or a short phrase.  Is there more than one subject?  How does the author present the subject?

 What types of diction (choice of words), syntax (sentence structure), and imagery (metaphors, similes, and other types of figurative language) help reflect the tone?

 What is the attitude of the author?  Is the author emotional, objective, neutral, or biased?  What details “tell” the author’s feelings about the topic?

What are the types of evidence that can be used?

Evaluate types of evidence:

• Personal experience (anecdotes)
• Concrete examples (must be from a reliable source)
• Statistics (can be misused or misinterpreted)
• Comparisons (analogies)
• Definitions (should be reliably defined and used consistently)
• Cause-Effect relationships (should be clearly evident, not “a stretch”)
• Unfair emotional appeals
• Does the author recognize counterarguments? Are they refuted?

Let's read an argument: ...and find evidence to either back it up or contraditct it:

Info

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Strategies for Evaluating Arguments

S (Skim)

Check the headline, the title, the author(s), any captions or subtitles, sources, and anything in between that stands out.

Q (question)

Ask questions before you read: What can I expect?Ask while you read: Why did they make these choices? Ask after you read: What should be the take-away?

R (Read)

Read the 1st and last sentence of each paragraph.

Review your notes, repeat what you read either aloud or on paper in your own words, find answers to the questions you asked initially.

R & R (Recall & Recite)