ARGUMENT - English II Note

 

ARGUMENT

 

The Classical Model

 

l        Based on philosophical ideals of sound thinking, incorporating the Aristotelian appeals of ethos (ethical principals, recognized authority, and shared values), pathos (stirring of emotions), and logos (dialectical reasoning).

l        Follows a predetermined arrangement of elements: A introduction that states the problem and the thesis, presentation of the evidence, refutation of challenging views, and a conclusion

 

Outline form:

 

I.          Introduciton

A.     Lead-in

B.     Overview of the situation

C.     Blckgroud

II.          Position statement (thesis)

III.         Appeals (ethos, pathos, logos) and evidence

A.     Appeals: to ethics, character, authority (ethos); to emotions (pathos); to reason (logos)

B.     Evidence citing of statistics, results, findings, examples, laws, relevant passages from authoritative texts

IV.       Refutation (often presented simultaneously with the evidence)

V.         Conclusion (peroration)

A.     Highlights of key points presented (if appropriate)

B.     Recommendations (if appropriate)

C.     Illuminating restatement of thesis

 

 

The Toulmin Model

 

l        Based on the pragmatics of the judicial system rather than the ideals of philosophical thinking

l        Approaches an argument in terms of its claims * (which are presented more as hypotheses being opened to challenge than as truths to be proven), its data, * and its underlying warrants * that make the date trustworthy

l        Recognizes the “real world” complexities of an argument; gives special emphasis to refutation

 

 

* Relationship between the Claim, Data, and Warrant

 

Claim

[The assertion I shall try to persuade you to accept as true]

↓                 Data                 ↑

[The facts and/or logical reasons that demonstrate the truth of my claim]

↓                Warrant              ↑

[My guarantee that the data are based on solid ethical or moral principles, thus contributing to the validity and trustworthiness of the claim]

 

 

The Rogerian Model

 

l        Based on humanistic values that take into account the importance of social cooperation in argument (that is, finding common ground is values over “beating the opposition”)

l        Emphasizes points of agreement over points of disagreement

l        Urges arguers to cultivate multiple perspectives toward issues

 

Outline Form:

 

I.              Introduction: What is our shared problem? Let’s see if we can work together to resolve it.

II.             What we agree on.

III.           Where we differ: misunderstandings, such as drawbacks or limited application to other’s solutions, and the possible reasons behind these drawbacks or limitations.

IV.          Possible drawbacks or limitations to writers’ solutions, followed by greater benefits of writers’ solutions.

V.           How can we resolve our differences.

 

Another view of outlining in Rogerian model:

 

          I.                       State the Problem

          II.                      Give the opponent’s position, and

          III.                    Grant whatever validity the writer finds in that position—for instance, will recognize the circumstances in which the position would indeed be acceptable.

 

Next, the writer will, if possible,

 

          IV.                   Attempt to show how the opposing position will be improved if the writer’s own position is accepted. *

 

 

* Sometimes, of course, the differing positions may be so far apart that no reconciliation can be proposed, in which case the writher will probably seek to show how the problem can best be solved by adopting the writer's own position.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

English II