Modes of Discourse

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Modes of Discourse

• Argument

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Argument

• The word argument probably brings to mind a
  verbal disagreement of the sort that nearly
  everyone has participated in. Such disputes are
  satisfying when you convert someone to your point
  of view. More often, though, verbal arguments are
  inconclusive and frustrating because you might
  fail to make your position understood or may
  believe that your opponent has been stubborn and
  unreasonable. Because verbal arguments generally
  arise spontaneously, they cannot be thoughtfully
  planned or researched.
• Also known as argumentation, written arguments
  share common goals with spoken ones they attempt
  to convince a reader to agree with a particular
  point of view, to make a particular decision, or
  to pursue a particular course of action.

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Argument

• Written arguments, however, involve the
  presentation of well-chosen evidence and the
  artful control of language.
• Writers of arguments must imagine their probable
  audience and predict the sorts of objections that
  may be raised.
• Writers must choose in advance a specific,
  sufficiently detailed thesis or proposition.

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Argument

• Most people who specialize in the study of
  arguments identify two essential categories
  persuasion and logic.
• Persuasive appeals are directed at readers
  emotions, at their subconscious, even at their
  biases and prejudices. These appeals involve
  diction, slanting, figurative language, analogy,
  rhythmic patterns of speech, and the
  establishment of a tone that will encourage a
  positive response.
• Persuasion very often attempts to get the
  audience to take action. Examples of persuasive
  argument are found in the exaggerated claims of
  advertisers and the speech making of political
  and social activists.

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Argument

• Logical appeals, on the other hand, are directed
  primarily at the audiences intellectual
  faculties, understanding, and knowledge.
• Such appeals depend on the reasoned movement from
  assertion to evidence to conclusion and on an
  almost mathematical system of proof and
  counterproof.
• Logical argument, unlike persuasion, does not
  normally impel its audience to action. Logical
  argument is commonly found in scientific or
  philosophical articles, legal decisions, and
  technical proposals.

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Argument

• Take a Stand
• Even though you will chose a topic, gather
  information about it, and establish a thesis
  statement or proposition, you need to take a
  stand to fully commit yourself to your beliefs
  and ideas about the issue before you.
• Your writing will show if you attempt to work
  with a thesis that you have not clearly thought
  through or are confused about or if you take a
  position you do not fully believe in or care
  about.
• With a strong stand, you can argue vigorously and
  convincingly.
• The following five steps will remind you of some
  key features of arguments and help you sequence
  your activities as you research and write.

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Writing an Argument

• Determine the Thesis or Proposition
• Decide on a topic that interests you and that has
  some significant differences of opinion or some
  points that you have questions about. The more
  specific you make your thesis or proposition, the
  more directed your research can become and the
  more focused your ultimate argument will be.
  Dont hesitate to modify or even reject an
  initial thesis as your research warrants.
• A thesis can be placed anywhere in an argument,
  but while learning to write arguments, you should
  place the statement of your controlling idea
  (thesis) near the beginning of your composition.
  Explain the importance of the thesis, and make
  clear to your reader that you share a common
  concern or interest in this issue. State your
  central assertion directly in your first or
  second paragraph so that your reader will have no
  doubt or confusion about your position.

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Writing an Argument

• 2. Take Account of Your Audience
• In no other type of writing is the question of
  audience more important than in argumentation.
  The tone you establish, the type of diction you
  choose, the kinds of evidence you select, and the
  organizational pattern you follow can influence
  your audience to trust you and believe your
  assertions.
• If you judge the nature of your audience
  accurately, respect its knowledge of the subject,
  and correctly envision whether it is likely to be
  hostile, neutral, complacent, or receptive, you
  will be able to tailor the various aspects of
  your argument appropriately.

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Writing an Argument

• 3. Gather the Necessary Supporting Evidence
• For each point of your argument, be sure to
  provide appropriate and sufficient evidence
  verifiable facts and statistics, illustrative
  examples and narratives, or quotations from
  authorities.
• Dont overwhelm your reader with evidence, but
  dont skimp either. Demonstrate your command of
  the topic and control of the thesis by choosing
  carefully from all the evidence at your disposal.

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Writing an Argument

• 4. Avoid Faulty Reasoning
• Have someone read your argument for errors in
  judgment and for faulty reasoning. Sometimes
  others can see easily what you cant see because
  you are so intimately tied to your assertion.
  These errors are typically called logical
  fallacies.
• 5. Conclude Forcefully
• In the conclusion of your essay, be sure to
  restate your position in new language, at least
  briefly. Besides persuading your reader to accept
  your point of view, you may also want to
  encourage some specific course of action. Above
  all, your conclusion should not introduce new
  information that may surprise your reader. It
  should seem to follow naturally, almost
  seamlessly, from the series of points that you
  have carefully

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Argument Model Essay

• Read the model essay entitled, Shame is Worth a
  Try, focusing on his argument.
• When finished reading, answer the following
  questions in your notes
• How convincing is Kahans argument?
• What is the strongest part of his argument?
  Explain.
• What is the weakest part? Explain.

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Your Turn

• Write a response in which you argue your position
  on the issue of using public shaming as a
  punishment. Please focus on the following
  question as you develop your position
• Is public shaming appropriate for some or all
  offenses that would otherwise result in a short
  jail term? Explain.
• Support your argument (three paragraph minimum
  6-8 sentences per paragraph) with evidence from
  Kahans essay and your own experiences/observation
  s.
• You may find it helpful to review your journal
  response for this selection.