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5: Argumentation

  • Page ID
    328464
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    We have stated that messages are arguments; that is, when we present a message, we are trying to convince our audience to accept what we are saying. These are informal arguments that we use without really thinking about them.

    In college, we use more formal arguments that usually contain a claim supported by evidence. Nevertheless, there are different types of arguments with their own purposes. The following chapter describes several types of arguments that you might be asked to write in college. 

    Chapter goals:

    • Understand the beginnings of formal argumentation.
    • Recite the main parts of any argument.
    • Write an argumentative thesis statement.
    • Know the differences among classical, Rogerian, definition, and causal analysis arguments. 
    • Identify the organizational patterns of each argument. 
    • Be able to write the different types of arguments.

    • 5.1: Classical Argument
      This page explains Aristotelian arguments- their history, parts, and how to write them.
    • 5.2: Rogerian Argument
      This page explains Rogerian arguments, including a brief introduction to Carl Rogers, goals, organization, and how to write them.
    • 5.3: Evaluative Argument
      This page describes evaluative arguments. It includes a brief introduction to the concept of evaluation, discusses finding criteria for evaluation, how to organize an argument of evaluation, and an example.
    • 5.4: Definition
      An introduction to definition arguments, explanation of what they are, and steps to write an argument of definition are presented along with examples.
    • 5.5: Causal Argument
      This page explains causal arguments. It begins with an introduction to causal arguments. Next, it describes the different types of cause and effect relations used in arguments of causality. Then the steps to write causal arguments are outlined and an example is presented.
    • 5.6: Policy Proposal Argument
      This page explains proposal arguments. It defines two different kinds and explains how to write them with examples.
    • 5.7: Questions for reflection
      Questions for reflection on the chapter are listed here.


    5: Argumentation is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LauraLee Miller, Western Technical College.

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