Scribd
Upload
99 views36 pages

Argumentative /persuasive Reading & Writing

This document provides an overview of argumentative and persuasive writing. It discusses key aspects such as considering rhetorical context, analyzing claims using the Toulmin method, and the differences between argumentation and persuasion. It also outlines the basic structure of persuasive essays, including introducing the thesis, supporting arguments, addressing counterarguments, and concluding by restating the thesis. Logical fallacies that should be avoided are defined. The three persuasive appeals of logos, pathos and ethos are explained.

Uploaded by

Hector
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
99 views36 pages

Argumentative /persuasive Reading & Writing

This document provides an overview of argumentative and persuasive writing. It discusses key aspects such as considering rhetorical context, analyzing claims using the Toulmin method, and the differences between argumentation and persuasion. It also outlines the basic structure of persuasive essays, including introducing the thesis, supporting arguments, addressing counterarguments, and concluding by restating the thesis. Logical fallacies that should be avoided are defined. The three persuasive appeals of logos, pathos and ethos are explained.

Uploaded by

Hector
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 36

Argumentative

/Persuasive
& writing

Reading

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

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?

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

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.

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.

Styles of argumentative of
writing

Toulmin model:

Rogers model:

Follows the pattern


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

the uses.

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

The basics of an argument

Your position and know the


purpose of your essay
Analyze your audience
Reasons
Evidence: Research your topic

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

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

Persuasive Essay Outline

I- Introduction:

A. Hook
B. Background Information if necessary
C.Thesis or focus statement

Persuasive Essay Outline


Contin.

II. First argument or reason to


support your position

A. Topic sentence explaining your


point
B. Elaboration

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

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

Introduction in
Argumentative/Persuasive
essays include:

A hook or grabber to catch


attention(Strong Statement:Cigarettes are
the number one cause of lung cancer in the
world!),(Quotations:E.Hubbard once said,
Truth is stronger than fiction.),
Statistics,anecdote,a question,exaggeration
or outrageous statement:The whole world
watched as the comet flew overhead.
Thesis or focus statement:
Topic,stance,Purpose,scope,organization

Example Introduction:

[Grabber:Strong Statement]Of 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.
[Thesis]In this paper I will describe the
greenhouse effect and whether the
atmosphere is actually getting warmer.

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(cues:e.g. suppose that,what if,etc.)

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

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

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

Evidence
Includes:
Established Truths
Historical, scientific, and geographical facts

Authoritative point of view


Primary sources
Statistics
Personal experience/Examples

Managing evidence

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

The Three Persuasive


Appeals

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

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.

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 research
thoroughly and accurately?
Have you thoughtfully addressed
the opposition?

Some Ways to Use the


Three Appeals
Credibility
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

Logic
Rely primarily on
facts
Use deductive or
inductive
reasoning to
reach your
conclusion
Use classical
argument,
including reason
and evidence to
support your
claim

Emotion
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

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 A=B and B=C, then A=C

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

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

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

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.

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

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?

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.

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.

The End!

You might also like