6.2: Types of Argument

Types of Argument

Ways to categorize arguments is to consider their status or stasis. In order words, certain types of argument address certain types of issues. It is important that you know what type of argument you should use.

Arguments of Fact

An argument of fact is probably the necessary type to begin with because you want to be able to establish basic facts before engaging in any other type of arguing. An argument of fact is a statement that can be proved or invalidated with solid evidence. For example, in late August 1619, the White Lion, an English private warship, whose commander was John Jope, (https://hampton.gov) dropped anchor in the James River. Virginia colonist, John Rolfe ("Letter to John Rolfe") documented the arrival of the ship and the 20-30 Africans aboard (www.history.navy.mil). This would be considered an argument of fact and readers would need to ask questions such as:

• Where did the facts come from?
• Are they reliable?
• Which sources disagree about these facts?
• If there is a problem, where did it begin and what caused it?

Arguments of Definition

Arguments of definition are used for some of the controversial issues in our society. These arguments are often not based on the denotation of a word or phrase, but rather the connotation of an issue and community group. For example, during the Clinton administration, Elie Weisel, in his speech “The Perils of Indifference,” speaks about the meaning of indifference in terms of the Holocaust. The issues of injustice hold different meanings among the leaders of the Black Lives Matter and #MeToo movements.

The following link comes from Elie Weisel's speech, "The Perils of Indifference" spoken during the Clinton administration:

https://youtu.be/E1SgpISeywQ

Arguments of Evaluation

An argument of evaluation usually presents criteria and then measures people, places, things against those standards. For example, Ratings for movies are a criteria or evaluation of a particular film. The ratings that the public is familiar with are “G”-General, “PG”-Parental Guidance, “PG-13”- Parental Caution, “R”-Restricted, and “NC”-Clearly Adult. These ratings are the result of how movie critics evaluate films for the general public in society. The criteria for an argument of Evaluation is essential to establishing a good claim for any evaluative writing. In the movie, Wakanda Forever, we see the rating in RED. The rating shows how this particular movie is evaluated.

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures | Release Date: November 11, 2022 | PG-13

Arguments of Proposal

Proposal arguments attempt to push for action of some kind. They answer the question "What should be done about it?"In order to build up to a proposal, an argument needs to incorporate elements of definition argument, evaluation argument, and causal argument. First, we will need to define a problem or a situation that calls for action. Then we need to make an evaluation argument to convince readers that the problem is bad enough to be worth addressing. This will create a sense of urgency within the argument and inspire the audience to seek and adopt proposed action. In most cases, it will need to make causal arguments about the roots of the problem and the good effects of the proposed solution. For example, President Joe Biden proposed the "Build Back Better Framework" in August 2022. The proposal addresses the economy plan to rebuild the middle class America. According to whitehouse.gov build-back-better, Biden proposed to provide affordable caregiving for Older Americans because many are struggling and their families are not able to afford care service. "The Build Back Better framework will permanently improve Medicaid coverage for home care services for seniors and people with disabilities, making the most transformative investment in access to home care in 40 years, when these services were first authorized for Medicaid" ("The Build Back Better Framework PRESIDENT BIDEN’S PLAN TO REBUILD THE MIDDLE CLASS").

Arguments of Proposal https://human.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Composition/Advanced_Composition/Book%3A_How_Arguments_Work_-_A_Guide_to_Writing_and_Analyzing_Texts_in_College_(Mills)/07%3A_Forming_Your_Own_Argument/06%3A_Proposal_Arguments)

Lunsford, Andrea A., John J. Ruskiewicz and Keith Walters. Everything's an Argument with Readings 8th ed. Bedford/St. Martin's, 2019.

Rolfe, John. "Letter of John Rolfe, 1614." American Journeys Eyewitness Accounts of Early American Exploration and Settlements: A Digital Library and Learning Center. www.americanjourneys.org/aj-079/.

Coombs, John C. "The Phases of Conversion: A New Chronology for the Rise of Slavery in Early Virginia." The William and Mary Quarterly. Vol. 68, No. 3 (July 2011), pp. 332-360. Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture, 2011. https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5309/willmaryquar.68.3.0332.

"The Build Back Better Framework PRESIDENT BIDEN’S PLAN TO REBUILD THE MIDDLE CLASS." White House. whitehouse.gov. 2022.