THE CONTENTS OF ARGUMENT

THE INFORMED ARGUMENT: CHAPTER 3

Alex O’HaraChula Min Park

Luz LunaMonzerrat Montiel

ENGAGING IN ARGUMENT We always argue within a context

One must address context if one expects to argue effectively

ANALYZING YOUR AUDIENCE How does one address their audience?

What do you know about your audience?

How would the audience respond to your argument?

What does the audience know about you?

IMAGINING YOUR AUDIENCE When it comes to argument, imagining

an audience influences specific arguments you will make in support of your position

Writers will always create a sense of an audience

Won’t correspond directly with a “real” audience

For the purpose of who the author is writing to or for

UNDERSTANDING CULTURE One needs to know

that culture is a sense of identity

Ethnicity Racial Background Religion Social Class Working Class Where one Lives Lifestyle

CONSIDERING CULTURE IN ARGUMENT “Criticisms

amount to Zealotry and Lunacy” -Harvey Araton

Arab-Jew argument grows out of a cultural context (that of the United States) in which pluralism and religious diversity are deeply held Values

JEW AND ARAB BLOODSHED

CONSIDERING GENDER It is Important to be sensitive to how

these factors can influence how the audience may react to an Argument

Ex. Young Women or Retired Men; Different implications with Different Audiences

Gender is another identity Sex Orientation Age

CONSIDERING AGE The age of an INTENDED audience can

influence how a you as a writer or speaker will make your argument

The language and strategies altered and even topic will be shaped accordingly

Mature Audience Teenage Audience

Which is more

appealing to you?

CONSIDERING SEXUAL ORIENTATION It is problematic for you to assume your

audience is entirely heterosexual, therefore it is challenging to talk about sexual orientationSuch words as “gay” and “queer” are

emotionally charged It is better to talk about a “gay community”

rather than lumping diverse people into a single group which a generalization will be made

QUIZWhat are the 4 Contexts which you should

consider in an argument?

Name at least one Sense of Identity.

What might appeal more to a younger audience in contrast to a more mature

audience?

QUESTIONS?