Journal Activity

In your journal, please respond to the following question:

Do you know someone who is skilled at arguing? What qualities do they have? What makes them successful?

Time to Discuss

We often think of argument as something negative and personal, but of course, argument is everywhere.

Go to the discussion board titled “Discuss: Argument in Action.”

The Appeals

To understand argument, you should understand the different ways argument is used.

We talk about argument in much the same way Aristotle did. He submitted the following “appeals:”

1 - The Pathetic Appeal (pathos)

Writer/speaker appeals to reader’s emotions, values, or attitudes ; chooses examples readers will favor or support sound clip

Some of these might include: family, patriotism, human love, loyalty, old fashioned values, beauty, etc.

The Pathetic Appeal, cont’d.Click here: Ranch Click here: Coke

Notice that Hidden Valley is using different pathetic appeals in this ad:

Using children (everyone loves children, right?)

Using vegetables/health (which means Hidden Valley must want you to be healthy, right?)

Notice that Coke is using also using pathetic appeals to sell their product:

Using the slogan “open happiness.” (We all want to be happy, so that means buying Coke?)\

Showing young people (we all desire to look/feel young)

Using excitement to generate a feeling that we then associate with their product

The Pathetic Appeal, cont’d.Take a look at the following web sites.

Do you see the pathetic appeals?

Ford trucks - click here Notice the background—who is the potential

buyer? What is Ford saying about their product?

Johnson & Johnson - click hereWhat is this company trying to say about

their products? How might this persuade a buyer?

2 - The Logical Appeal (logos)

Appeals to reason by using: sound clip

Logic Data Sound support of thesis

The Logical Appeal, cont’d.Click here: Bayer Click here: Powerbar

Notice the way the makers of Bayer Aspirin use logical appeals:

Telling the viewer that Bayer Aspirin has been around for 100 years.

Telling the viewer that no other medicine has ever been proven to be more effective.

Notice the different logical appeals on this site:

2nd place Ironman winner uses Powerbar (so shouldn’t you buy a Powerbar?)

Notice there is an entire section dedicated to “athletes” (claiming their product is a tool, not just an energy bar)

The Logical Appeal (logos)Take a look at the following web sites. Do

you see the logical appeals?

Clorox - click hereHow is Clorox trying to convince

consumers that this product is necessary?

Total Cereal - click hereHow does Total use facts and data? Is it

convincing?

3 - The Ethical Appeal (ethos)With this appeal, the writer (or speaker)

argues from their own credibility or authority.

Sound clip

For example, let’s say a man named George writes a letter to the local paper complaining about privacy rights. He closes the letter with “by the way, I’m a rocket scientist.” Why would George mention this? What does George want his reader to realize?

The Ethical Appeal, cont’d.George wants his reader to understand

that he is intelligent. And, if George is intelligent, it must mean that his ideas are correct—right?

Of course not! But George is using an ethical appeal to make his ideas seem more credible.

The Ethical Appeal (ethos)

Take a look at the following web sites. Do you see the ethical appeals?

Crest - click hereHow is this company establishing its

credibility?

Land Rover - click hereAnd this one?

Click to read an interesting article on the appeals: Article

Now that you’ve seen the types of arguments we use, let’s move on

and talk about what makes a successful argument.

Features of Good Argument1. Doesn’t alienate the readerHave you ever felt insulted by someone

who is trying to persuade you? Were you open to their ideas?

Sound clip

Features of Good Argument: Doesn’t AlienateWays you might alienate your

reader: Name calling Condescending tone Speaking from anger Falling into emotional traps Ignoring your audience (if you’re a

Republican and you’re speaking to Democrats, doesn’t that change how you choose your words?)

Features of Good Argument: Don’t Alienate

I recently read a student essay focusing on immigration. As an instructor, I feel it’s important that I am open to all kinds of ideas. However, as I read the student’s essay, it became clear (through derogatory slang, comments and other hate-filled rhetoric) that the author was simply full of hate. This alienated me as a reader—so after just a few minutes, I had “closed” my mind. I was no longer open to listening to what the author had to say.

Features of Good Argument2. Uses different types of appealsAn argument that only uses facts, or an

argument that only uses emotion, is a one dimensional argument. For a strong, well-supported argument, try to incorporate all of the appeals.

Notice that a good politician is quite good at this. He/she may talk about “family values” in one breath, but quote demographic data in the next.

Features of Good Argument3. Avoids logical fallacies

sound clip

Fallacies are poor argument, and we hear them all the time. One example is “the bandwagon fallacy.” This is the fallacy that claims everyone is doing it, and you should too!

Features of Good ArgumentTime to discuss! Sound clip

Do an online search for “argument fallacies.” Post one to our discussion board called “Discuss: Share a Fallacy.” Give an example to help everyone understand the fallacy.

Topics

Make sure it’s a narrow topic (gun control, abortion, and immigration are too large!)

Avoid topics you don’t think you can discuss rationally (things you won’t compromise on, topics that make you too emotional, etc. . . . )

Avoid these topics (my taboo list): abortion, smoking, euthanasia

Topic ideas – look everywhere!

From HistoryShould we have dropped the “A” bomb?

Should we have repealed prohibition?

Should we have given up the Panama Canal?

Was the French Revolution preventable?

The truth behind a “conspiracy” (Pearl Harbor, moon landing, the Holocaust, Jimmy Hoffa’s death, Marylyn Monroe’s death, etc.)

From Government Issues Reasons to get rid of the electoral college Reasons the economic bail out plan is a bad

idea/good idea Why a specific law should be changed or

amended Arguing for/against a specific policy

From Local Issues Arguing for changes to the Brazos Mall Arguing for/against X in your city Arguing for speed limit change, etc.

From Interests Do the Hell’s Angels deserve their

reputation? Reasons why The Red Hot Chili Peppers

deserve a lifetime achievement award Reasons why Paris Hilton doesn’t deserve

her fame Reasons why X movie should/shouldn’t

receive an Oscar Arguing that Ford Motors should change

their business strategy Arguing that X person should have won

the reality show Project Runway Arguing that current red snapper laws are

unfair Etc.!

From Current Events Arguing that O.J. Simpson did/didn’t get a

fair trail with his kidnapping charge Arguing that Madonna should/shouldn’t be

allowed to adopt more children Arguing that the US should/should not

leave the Middle East Arguing that the “balloon boy’s” parents

are guilty/not guilty of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Arguing that HPV vaccinations should/shouldn’t be required for all young girls

Arguing that “Swine Flu” is not truly an epidemic

Etc.

Use your imagination to find interesting, controversial topics. Check web sites, talk to others, think about your interests, journal, and observe everything as you think: could this be a topic?

The Assignment

Page Length: 5-6 pages

Sources: 5 minimum

Other: works cited page

The AssignmentShould be your best work

Few errors

Few MLA issues

Superior reasoning/logic

Research should include plenty of “expert” sources

The Assignment

Formality Level: Professional Use 3rd person exclusively (you may use

1st person in the introduction and conclusion if necessary)

Keep it rational Avoid slang Avoid “filler words” (“you know,” “and so

on,” etc.)