Developing an Effective Argument. Develop an argument about an issue that resonates across cultures. Choose a position, a target audience, and effective.

Developing an Effective Argument

Essential Question

How do I develop an effective argument?

Forms of EvidenceOEvidence - used to support a

thesis/claim in an argumentOEmpirical evidence – based on

experience and direct observation through research

OLogical evidence – based on facts and a clear rationale

OAnecdotal evidence – based on personal accounts

Rhetorical Appeals (Persuasive Language)

O Pathos – emotional appealDescribes the writer’s appeal to an audience's emotions.

O Logos – logical appealDescribes the writer’s appeal to the reader’s logic/reason by making a reasonable claim and offering proof in support of that claim, whether the reader agrees or not.

O Ethos – ethical appealDescribes the writer’s appeal that relies on the credibility of the author. The reader asks themselves, "What does this person know about this topic?" and "Why should I trust this person?"

"As your doctor, I have to tell you that if you don't stop smoking, you're going to die."

"50% of marriages end in divorce"

"My mother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when I was twelve. I saw her pain and suffering which is why I want to support MS research."

"Before I was president, I was the governor of New York."

Common FallaciesO Hasty Generalizations – a conclusion based

on insufficient or biased evidence; rushing to a conclusion

O Either/Or – a conclusion that oversimplifies the argument by reducing it to only two choices

O Ad Populum – an emotional appeal that speaks to positive or negative feelings rather than the real issue

O Moral Equivalence – a comparison of minor misdeeds with major atrocities

O Red Herring – a diversionary tactic that avoids the key issues, often by avoiding opposing arguments

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Elements of ArgumentO Claim – the thesis of the argument

O Evidence - support for the claim/thesis Commentary- explanation of why and how the

evidence supports the claim

O Counterclaims – a position taken by someone with an opposing viewpoints or evidence that disagrees with your thesis Concession – admission that the opposing side has

valid points

O Refutations – Evidence or reasoning that negates the counterclaims

O Conclusion – concluding statement that pulls the claim and evidence together to create a call to action

Reasoning & Evidence

To evaluate an argument:ODetermine whether a writer’s

reasoning is validODetermine if the evidence

provided sufficiently supports the claim

OBe aware of the use of common fallacies

Identifying Elements of an Argument

O Identify the claim.O Identify the evidence.

OWhat types of evidence are used?O Identify the concessions.O Identify the refutation.O Identify the call to action.

OHow did the writer signal the conclusion?