5.1: Classical Argument
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)B. Classical or Aristotelian Argument
The ancient Greeks loved to argue. They loved nothing better than to stand around the forum debating philosophy, history, or other pertinent topics of the day.
One philosopher, Aristotle (384-322 BCE), decided to write a treatise about the process of argumentation. Scholars and teachers have used the ideas presented in his work, Rhetoric, ever since. It was Aristotle who coined the phrase, “the art of persuasion” as the definition of rhetoric. He also devised the rhetorical triangle, situation, and appeals.
Another thing Aristotle discussed was the method and organization of argument. We call this organization Classical or Aristotelian Argumentation. The Classical Argument he described is divided into parts:
Exordium – The opening of the argument. 
Narratio – Context of the topic to be argued.
Proposito and Partitio – The claim of the argument written in a thesis.
Confirmatio and/or Refutatio – The evidence or support for the claim and a counter argument that explains other viewpoints.
Peroratio – A conclusion that reviews the argument and explains its significance.
If the definitions of these terms seem familiar, they should. We often organize academic essays using these ideas.
More information can be found at OWL.purdue Classical Argument.
These steps may seem familiar if you have ever seen a trial or participated in debate. We may not use the Latin words, but this process is used often in speeches or essay writing. Let's examine a couple famous speeches to identify the parts of a Classical Argument.
Examples of famous arguments:
A well-known example is Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Transcript of King's speech (Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History)
Another is “The Gettysburg Address” by Abraham Lincoln. Transcript of Lincoln's speech (PBS)
Examine the transcript of either King’s or Lincoln’s speech (see above links). See if you can identify the 5 parts of a classical argument.
Essay Organization
An outline of a classical argument essay might look like this:
I. Introduction
A. Opening statement.
B. Context/conversation around topic
C. Thesis with stance and a preview of main points
II. Body
A. Multiple paragraphs that look like the following.
1. Transition and topic sentence
2. Elaborate on topic sentence.
3. Evidence and analysis
4. Evidence and analysis
5. Conclude by explaining relevance to thesis claim.
III. Counterargument
A. Summary of opposing viewpoint(s).
IV. Refutation
A. Response to each point of opposition.
B. Refutes the point by showing weakness or illogic of point.
C. Reiterates the argument's point.
V. Conclusion
A. Sums up the argument.
B. Explains the significance to the audience.
C. Possible call to action.
Student example with comments: Link here: Sample Classical argument (Excelsior OWL)
Write a short classical argument convincing your friend to go to a movie you like. For your evidence, choose elements of the movie that will persuade your friend to go with you.
Works Cited
"Classical Argument." Online Writing Lab. Purdue University, owl.purdue.ed,
Cummings, Ronald. "Time for a Change, Legalizing Marijuana in the State of Texas." Aristotelean Argument, Excelsior Online Writing Lab, owl.escelsior.edu,
https://owl.excelsior.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/AristotelianArgumentAPA.pdf
King, Jr. Martin Luther. ''I Have a Dream." Gilder Lerman Institue of American History, 2014, https://www.gilderlehrman.org/sites/default/files/inline-
pdfs/king.dreamspeech.excerpts.pdf
Lincoln, Abraham. "The Gettysburg Address." News Hour education resources, Public Broadcasting System, pbs.org, https://newshour-classroom-tc.digi-
producers.pbs.org/uploads/app/uploads/2013/11/Transcript-of-the-Gettysburg-Address.pdf