Chapter 3: Finding ArgumentsThinking like a Reader

1
Chapter 3 Finding ArgumentsThinking like a
Reader

• Dr. Alan Haffa
• Please Silence Cell Phones

2
The Writing Process

• Four Stages
• Prewriting
• Drafting
• Rewriting
• Editing

3
Developing Argumentative Topics

• Brainstorming free writing about anything you
  know or think you know about the subject
• Ask yourself what are the facts?
• How can it be defined?
• Collaborative Brainstorming

4
Clustering

• Choose a key word, phrase, or short sentence and
  put it in center of page with a circle around it.
• Brainstorm associated words and phrases and put
  them around the center, circle them, and draw
  lines linking them to the word that initiated the
  association
• Check figure 3.1 as an example on p. 70
• Take a moment and Cluster your ideas about Gay
  Marriage.

5
Freewriting

• Goes one step beyond brainstorming
• Instead of merely listing associated ideas and
  words, freewriting is a process where you write
  freely, without stopping and without worrying
  about sentences, spelling, grammar.
• The aim is to discover what you know and what
  your initial opinions on a subject are.
• If you have trouble getting over writers block,
  freewriting may help you get something on that
  blank piece of paper.
• Journal Assignment Do you support or oppose
  amending the CA Constitution to prohibit Gay
  Marriage?

6
Asking Questions

• A good strategy for generating ideas is to make a
  list of questions about the subject.
• These questions can direct you to do further
  research and gather more detailed information
• They may also help you structure your essay
• Make a list of Questions about Gay Marriage.

7
Engage in Dialogue with Others

• Discussing issues with others as outlined in
  Chapter One (in contrast to Debate) can be a good
  way to test your ideas.
• Are there points in your position that are weak?
• Are there points in your position that you need
  to better support (more facts)?
• Are there points in your argument where the logic
  needs
• Dialogue with your neighbor about Gay Marriage.

8
Refining Topics

• Reducing your optionsnarrow your topic down
• Example Gay Marriage is Wrong. Wrong in what
  way? Gay marriage is contrary to Catholic
  beliefs and gay Catholics should resist the gay
  lifestyle.
• Avoid Overspecialized Topics Unless you have
  specialized knowledge dont make your topic too
  specialized.
• Neither too narrow nor too broad of a topic

9
Formulating a Working Claim

• After identifying your topic and brainstorming,
  develop your working claim.
• Functions as a thesis statement
• States what you believe
• Do not be afraid to change your claim as your
  thinking and research leads you to new facts and
  ideas
• That is why it is a working claim
• It helps to clearly articulate your point of view
  before getting too far along but good writers are
  open to new points of views and adjust their
  position accordingly.

10
Gay Marriage Referendum 2008

• LA Times story announcing the state Supreme
  Courts decision http//www.latimes.com/news/loca
  l/la-me-gaymarriage16-2008may16,0,6182317.story
• What does the California Constitution say?
• What does the Referendun say?
• League of Women Voters Non-Partisan, Pro and
  Cons on Referendum issues http//lwvc.convio.net/
  site/PageServer?pagenameeasyvoter_guide_propositi
  ons
• The Courts Ruling http//www.courtinfo.ca.gov/op
  inions/documents/S147999.PDF