1.5: Argumentative Reading and Writing- Reflective and Practical Application

Argumentative Reading and Writing

Definition: Argumentative Reading & Writing

Definition and Importance

Argumentative reading and writing are fundamental skills for college students, involving the analysis, evaluation, and construction of arguments. These skills are essential for critical thinking, which is the ability to think clearly and rationally, understanding the logical connection between ideas. In the context of academic work, argumentative reading entails critically engaging with texts, identifying arguments, evaluating evidence, and understanding the author’s perspective. Argumentative writing involves presenting a clear, reasoned argument supported by evidence, effectively communicating your position on a topic.

Critical Thinking in Argumentative Reading and Writing

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Critical thinking is at the heart of effective argumentative reading and writing. It involves questioning assumptions, evaluating evidence, and making reasoned conclusions. In argumentative reading, critical thinking allows students to discern strong arguments from weak ones, recognize bias, and understand the implications of the information presented. When writing arguments, critical thinking enables students to develop coherent, persuasive essays that stand up to scrutiny.

The Role of Lateral, Analytical, Creative, Convergent, and Divergent Thinking

To excel in argumentative reading and writing, students must harness a variety of thinking skills which we just covered in the sections before this:

• Lateral Thinking: This involves looking at problems from new and unusual angles, generating creative solutions that are not immediately obvious. In argumentative writing, lateral thinking helps in crafting unique perspectives and innovative arguments.
• Analytical Thinking: This type of thinking focuses on breaking down complex information into smaller parts for better understanding. Analytical thinking is crucial in reading arguments to dissect and assess the validity of each component.
• Creative Thinking: Creative thinking encourages originality and inventiveness, essential for generating engaging and compelling arguments. It allows students to think outside the box and present fresh ideas.
• Convergent Thinking: Convergent thinking aims at finding the single best solution to a problem. In argumentative writing, it helps in synthesizing information to present a clear and focused argument.
• Divergent Thinking: Divergent thinking involves generating multiple ideas and solutions. This skill is valuable in the brainstorming phase of writing, where various angles and approaches to an argument are considered.

Rhetoric and Critical Thinking

Rhetoric, the art of persuasion, is intricately linked to critical thinking. Understanding rhetorical strategies enables students to craft arguments that appeal to ethos (credibility), pathos (emotion), and logos (logic). Critical thinking enhances the ability to use these rhetorical strategies effectively, ensuring that arguments are not only persuasive but also logically sound and well-supported.

Integrating Skills in Argumentative Reading and Writing

By integrating lateral, analytical, creative, convergent, and divergent thinking with rhetorical strategies, students can enhance their argumentative reading and writing skills. Critical thinking serves as the foundation for this integration, guiding students to approach texts and arguments with a keen, questioning mind and to construct their arguments with clarity and precision.

In summary, argumentative reading and writing are crucial for college students, fostering critical thinking and a variety of other cognitive skills. These competencies enable students to engage deeply with texts, develop persuasive arguments, and communicate their ideas effectively, preparing them for academic success and informed citizenship.

Practical Application of Critical Thinking in Reading and Writing

Critical thinking is essential for effective reading and writing, enabling us to analyze texts, evaluate arguments, and construct well-supported conclusions. Many of these principles will be developed in future chapters. Here are some practical ways to apply critical thinking in contemporary contexts:

1. Evaluating News Sources

Example: Fact-Checking News Articles With the rise of digital media, misinformation can spread rapidly. When reading news articles, use critical thinking to evaluate the credibility of the source. Ask questions like:

• Who is the author, and what are their credentials?
• Is the publication reputable?
• Are the claims supported by evidence?
• Are multiple perspectives presented?

For instance, if you come across an article about a new health trend, cross-check the information with reports from established medical journals and expert opinions.

2. Analyzing Social Media Content

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Example: Assessing Social Media Posts Social media platforms are rife with opinions and persuasive content. Apply critical thinking by:

• Identifying the purpose of the post (inform, persuade, entertain).
• Checking for biases in the language used.
• Verifying facts with reliable sources.
• Considering the context and potential agenda of the poster.

For example, if a tweet claims a specific policy will have dire economic consequences, look for data from economic experts or official reports to confirm or refute the claim.

3. Crafting Persuasive Essays

Example: Writing an Op-Ed When writing an opinion editorial (op-ed) on a contemporary issue like climate change or social justice, use critical thinking to:

• Clearly define your thesis statement.
• Gather and present credible evidence to support your argument.
• Address counterarguments fairly and refute them with strong evidence.
• Use logical reasoning to connect your points coherently.

A well-crafted op-ed on renewable energy might cite scientific research, economic analyses, and case studies from countries that have successfully implemented green technologies.

Example Argumentative Essay Template \(\PageIndex{1}\)

Using the topic of renewable energy, here is an example of a good argumentative essay template with keywords highlighted to explain the why and how to argue well for a college-level class:

Template:

Title: The Importance of Renewable Energy for Sustainable Development

Introduction:

• Hook: Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time.
• Background: Provide a brief overview of the current energy crisis and its impact on the environment.
• Thesis Statement: Renewable energy is crucial for sustainable development because it reduces greenhouse gas emissions, decreases dependence on fossil fuels, and promotes economic growth.

Body Paragraph 1: Topic Sentence:

• Reason 1: Renewable energy reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Evidence: Cite statistics from reputable sources showing the decrease in emissions when renewable energy sources are used.
  • Explanation: Explain how renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydro power do not produce carbon dioxide and other harmful gases.
  • Counterargument: Acknowledge that some argue the initial cost of renewable energy technology is high.
  • Refutation: Demonstrate that over time, the savings on health costs and environmental cleanup make renewable energy more cost-effective.

Body Paragraph 2: Topic Sentence:

• Reason 2: Renewable energy decreases dependence on fossil fuels.
  • Evidence: Present data on the finite nature of fossil fuels and the geopolitical conflicts arising from oil dependence.
  • Explanation: Discuss how countries with abundant renewable resources can achieve energy independence.
  • Counterargument: Address concerns about the reliability of renewable energy sources.
  • Refutation: Provide examples of advancements in technology and energy storage that ensure a stable supply.

Body Paragraph 3: Topic Sentence:

• Reason 3: Renewable energy promotes economic growth.
  • Evidence: Use reports showing job creation in the renewable energy sector.
  • Explanation: Explain how investment in renewable energy infrastructure stimulates local economies and creates high-quality jobs.
  • Counterargument: Mention the potential economic disruptions to traditional energy sectors.
  • Refutation: Argue that retraining programs and government policies can mitigate these disruptions, leading to a net positive effect on the economy.

Conclusion:

• Restate Thesis: Reiterate the main points that renewable energy is essential for reducing emissions, decreasing fossil fuel dependence, and boosting economic growth.
• Summary of Main Points: Briefly summarize the key arguments made in the essay.
• Call to Action: Urge readers to support renewable energy initiatives and policies.
• Closing Thought: End with a powerful statement or quote about the importance of a sustainable future.

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Why and How to Argue Well:

• Thesis Statement: Clearly state your position and the main reasons supporting it. This provides a roadmap for your essay.
• Topic Sentences: Start each paragraph with a sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph. This ensures clarity and focus.
• Evidence: Use credible sources to back up your claims. This adds weight to your argument and makes it more persuasive.
• Explanation: Explain how the evidence supports your thesis. This helps readers understand the connection between your evidence and your argument.
• Counterarguments: Address opposing views to show that you have considered multiple perspectives. This demonstrates critical thinking.
• Refutation: Provide reasons why the counterarguments are not as strong as your argument. This reinforces your position.
• Conclusion: Summarize your main points and restate your thesis to reinforce your argument. End with a call to action or a thought-provoking statement to leave a lasting impression.

By following this template and focusing on the highlighted keywords, students can structure their essays effectively, argue their points persuasively, and demonstrate their critical thinking skills.

Section Conclusion

Applying critical thinking in reading and writing helps you navigate the vast information landscape, make informed decisions, and communicate effectively. By evaluating sources, analyzing content critically, and constructing well-reasoned arguments, you enhance your ability to engage thoughtfully with contemporary issues. These skills are not only crucial for academic success but also for responsible and informed citizenship in today's complex world.

Attributions

The content above was assisted by ChatGPT in outlining and organizing information. The final material was curated, edited, authored, and arranged through human creativity, originality, and subject expertise of the Coalinga College English Department and the Coalinga College Library Learning Resource Center and is therefore under the CC BY NC SA license when applicable. To see resources on AI and copyright please see the United States Copyright Office 2023 Statement and the following case study on using AI assistance but curating and creating with human originality and creativity.

Images without specific attribution were generated with the assistance of ChatGPT 2024 and are not subject to any copyright restrictions, in accordance with the United States Copyright Office 2023 Statement.

All original source content remix above came from the following open educational resources:

• Introductory Composition, Basic Reading and Writing by Lumen, Module 1: Success Skills, Section 1.3 Critical Thinking by Lumen Learning, under CC BY NC SA.
  • 1.3: Critical Thinking is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Lumen Learning.
• Advanced Composition, Critical Thinking by Andrew Gurevich, Section 1.2 Creative and Critical Thinking, under CC BY
  • 1.2: Week 2 - Creative and Critical Thinking is shared under a CC BY license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Andrew Gurevich (MHCC Library Press)
• 1.3: Critical thinking is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Melissa Ashman (KPUOpen) .
• 1.3: Glance at Critical Response- Rhetoric and Critical Thinking is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by OpenStax via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available upon request.
• 2.4: The Art of Rhetoric is shared under a CC BY-SA license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Athena Kashyap & Erika Dyquisto (ASCCC Open Educational Resources Initiative) .

• 9.5: Writing Process- Thinking Critically about Rhetoric is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by OpenStax via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available upon request.