Argumentation

The Classical Approach

Introduction

• Grab attention
• Tell anecdote or story
• Provide necessary background information/history

Clarify issue
Synthesis of background

Build Framework

Thesis & Proposition

Thesis

• State central argument of essay
• Forecast supporting points
• Guidepost for essay

Refutation

Analysis and counterargument

Thesis

The film Sunshine presents us with a object-oriented problem: directly addressing the issue of the hyperobject in climate change directs the horror of our own complicity on us, causing a fracturing of identity and purpose.

Thesis & Counter

The presence of the mutated man in Sunshine is evidence of pessimism in light of our orientation toward objects, but also presents the opportunity for optimistic response to horror and future threats.

Argument as Conversation

(from The Craft of Research, Booth and others, 3rd edition)

• What is my claim?
• What reasons support my claim?
• What evidence supports my reasons?
• Do I acknowledge alternatives/complications/objections, and how do I respond? 
• What principle make my reasons relevant to my claim? (this is a warrant)

Remember when we wrote indirect and motivating questions?

Your paper is an answer to that question or solution to a problem

Substantiation and Proof

Components of Assertion Support

• Expert evidence/support
  • NOT only an accumulation of facts
• Appeals to logic—ethos, pathos, logos
  • What is your main point? How do you arrive at that point? 
• Substantiation of claims
  • Explain claims and use of evidence

from Lewis & Maslin—claim and support

Claim
Reason
Evidence

Wayne Booth, The Craft of Research

Wayne Booth, The Craft of Research

Warranting a claim

Addressing climate change is an issue of global justice (claim) because marginalized communities and the poor are first affected by the harmful results of shifting ecology.

How are marginalized communities and the poor affected by climate change?

Warranting a claim

• "...offer a general principle that justifies relating your particular reason to your particular claim..." (Booth): 
  • For instance, climate change affects crop harvests and output, and poorer communities are met with loss of availability of fresh, healthy produce.

Conclusion

• Restates thesis or conclusion of the essay's main argument
• Summarizes argumentative moves of essay
• Provides additional discussion, possible new avenues of research/thought, or adds commentary to the issue
• Acts as a section—not just a paragraph

Toulmin Approach

Types of Claims

• Fact
• Definition
• Cause
• Value
• Policy

Data
Warrant
Backing

Rebuttal

• Synthesis of opponent's argument
• Counterargument or refutation
• Data/supporting evidence of counterargument