Writing Arguments Chapter 5

1
Writing Arguments Chapter 5

• The Logical Structure of Arguments

2
Beware the Claim with an Unstated Assumption
(Warrant)

• Women should be allowed to join combat units
  because the image of women in combat would help
  eliminate gender stereotypes.
• What is the warrant?
• It is OK to swap music files because everyone
  does it.
• What is the warrant?

3
Group Exercise

• Write four claims, each with a reason, about
  topics relevant to this course.
• Each should have an unstated assumption
• Identify the unstated assumption (warrant)
• Select your best claim, write it on the board
• Email your claims to GTA today, including names
  of everyone in your group.

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Unstated Assumption A Warrant

• Cocaine and heroin should be legalized because
  legalization would eliminate the black market in
  drugs.
• Claim Cocaine and heroin should be legalized
• Reason Legalization would eliminate the black
  market in drugs.
• Warrant An action that eliminates the black
  market in drugs is good.
• SOMETHING IS STILL LACKING

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Reasons Support ClaimsGrounds Support Warrants

• Claim Cocaine and heroin should be legalized
• Reason supporting claim Legalization would
  eliminate the black market in drugs.
• Warrant Eliminating the black market in drugs is
  good (the black market is bad)
• Grounds supporting warrant Data and evidence
  showing how eliminating the black market would
  reduce crime, reduce addiction, etc (assuming
  such evidence exists).

6
Play the Game of WHY

• The moon revolves around the earth.
• Why?
• Because I say so )
• Why?
• Because Newton proved it.
• Why?
• Because he discovered that it is a law of nature
• Why?
• Because of gravity and centrifugal force
• Why?
• Because

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Why is a black market in Heroin and Cocaine bad?

• Creates crime
• Why?
• People commit crimes to get money to buy
• Why?
• The black market makes drugs expensive
• Why?
• Everyone in the distribution chain makes a lot of
  money, and bribes have to be paid, etc

8
Use Audience-Based Reasons

• Environmentalists opposing hydroelectric dam
• Alternatives are nuclear or coal plants
• vs
• Need to attract new industry to the area
• Stakeholders audience?

9
Group Exercise - For each of the following claims
and audiences, write a reason for the claim, a
warrant and a ground for the warrant

• Drivers licenses should contain your driving
  record, health records, and biometric
  identification
• Law enforcement officials
• Hospitals
• Banks
• Bars

• Pentagons Total Information Awareness program
  should be restarted
• ACLU
• FBI
• Computer Science researchers