Elements of an Argument

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Elements of an Argument
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Rhetorical Triangle
pathos
ethos
audience
speaker
message
logos
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The Appeals

• pathos emotional appeal stirs strong feelings
  within the audience
• logos logical appeal constructs a message of a
  well-reasoned argument
• ethos ethical appeal establishes credibility
  and authority of speaker

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How do I identify pathos?

• Connotative diction
• Diction
• Imagery
• Figurative language (metaphor, personification,
  hyperbole, etc. )
• Carefully-crafted syntax (sentence structure)
• Personal anecdotes (experiences or stories)

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How do I identify logos?

• Facts
• Statistics
• Research
• Referring to experts
• Cause effect

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How do I identify ethos?

• Stating qualifications for expertise
• Using first person plural pronouns (we)
• Citing relevant authorities
• Citing relevant allusions

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Think About it

• We are writing an argumentative essay for science
  class. We are analyzing the facts and
  information to choose a side, then defending our
  stance on the topic. Pathos and Ethos are
  important parts of a writing piece, but the facts
  and evidence are the most important part of a
  scientific argument.

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More parts to the construction of an argument
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• Claim debatable controversial statement the
  speaker or writer intends to prove with evidence
• Qualifier puts limits on a claim (usually,
  sometimes, in most cases, etc.)
• Commentary (Supporting Sentence) connecting the
  evidence to the claim (How does evidence support
  claim?)
• Evidence support for writers claim (examples,
  anecdotes, facts, statistics, research, etc.)
• Counter claim respectful acknowledgement of
  opposing viewpoint

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• Hook the beginning of an argumentative essay
  meant to capture the readers attention (quote,
  profound statement, imagery, etc.)
• Thesis a sentence that expresses the writers
  position on a certain topic
• Transitions words or phrases used to transition
  through the essay (therefore, finally, etc)
• Sources used to support your claims (cited in
  the text and in the resources)

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Constructing an Argument
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• 1. Introduction
• a. Hook
• b. Claim
• c. Thesis (topic sentence)
• 2. Body Paragraph 1
• a. Topic Sentence
• b. Evidence
• c. Commentary- Supporting Sentence
• Body Paragraph 2
• a. Topic Sentence
• b. Evidence
• c. Commentary- Supporting Sentence
• 4. Body Paragraph 3
• a. Topic Sentence
• b. Evidence
• c. Commentary- Supporting Sentence
• 5. Conclusion
• a. Counter claim (slight CONCESSION)
• b. Restate the thesis statement (topic sentence)

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What part of an argumentative essay is used to
catch the audiences attention?

1. Thesis Statement
2. Hook
3. Commentary
4. Supporting Details

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Where should the counter claim be located in your
essay?

1. 1 or two sentences included in a body paragraph
2. As a stand alone body paragraph
3. 1 or 2 sentences included in the conclusion
4. All of the above

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What part of an argumentative essay let the
audience know what side you support?

1. Transitions
2. Hook
3. Claim
4. Supporting Details

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What are the three aspects of a rhetorical
triangle?

1. Ethos, Logos, Pathos
2. Ethos, Logos, Potato
3. Ethics, Logical, Patience
4. None of the above

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All three parts of the rhetorical triangle are
important, but which part is most important and
applies most to the argument piece.

1. Ethos
2. Logos
3. Pathos
4. None of the above

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Introductory Paragraph

• School Uniforms Should public schools require
  school uniforms?
• Include the following
• Hook
• Claim
• Thesis statement w/ 3 reason