8.2: Writing the Classic Argument--Classroom Lecture and Activity

 

Writing the Classic Argument

 

SLOs-Employ a voice, style, and tone appropriate to the topic selected and the rhetorical situation  -Direct an argument or explanation to the designated audience  -Establish a clear framework of essay and paragraph organization appropriate to the writing task and the thesis  -Employ rhetorical strategies consistent with the purpose of the writing task  

While you there are many topics with which you can write your argumentative essay about, all argumentative essays have the following elements: Introduction, Stance, Conversation, Support for Stance, Counter Argument, Conclusion.

Stance And Counter Arguments

Argument: Making a Stance and Supporting it

• • A stance is the writer's attitude towards the topic.
  • This is also what the writer thinks about the topic.
  • Once the writer decides which perspective they support, they make a claim.
  • The writer's claim and stance create their argument.
  • The writer then needs to support the claim with reasons.
  • Since a claim comes from one perspective, there is always a counter argument.
  • In an argument essay, the writer is choosing to add their perspective to a conversation or debate that already exist.

Since it is a conversation, there are typically several perspectives and claims that surround the topic. Even when people agree on a certain topic, sometimes they disagree on methods to fix or approach the problem. Always introduce the topic of debate so readers know why you are making a claim in the  first place. Finally, remember that an argument doesn’t mean someone is angry. It just means a difference in ideas.

Counter Arguments

A counter argument happens when another perspective disagrees with the writer's claim.

This does not have to be about something serious, and the opposing sides don't have to dislike each other for there to be a counter argument.

For example, there are several people that know how to make apple pie, but many of those people disagree on how to prepare it.

Let’s Take a Closer Look: one group-Use only Honey Crisp apples; another group-Use only Granny Smith apples; another group-Use all butter crust; another group-Dutch apple pie is the best; the last group-Use flour not corn starch to thicken filling.

What about you? Where do you stand?

Each perspective surrounding the apple pie was different even though they all agreed that they love apple pie. This leads to different types of arguments. How the argument is presented can further change based on the audience.

An example of a thesis statement for one of the perspectives could look like this:

Using granny smith apples for apple pie is the best choice because they are firm, tart, and produce less liquid when baked.

The Counter Argument has two parts.

The first part is the counter argument. This explains the opposing perspective and why that side disagrees with the main points of the argument.

The second part is the rebuttal. This is where the writer explains further why their perspective is the most logical.

The rebuttal can include a concession where the writer shows that they do agree with some aspects, but they should still end with their claim.

 

A direct counter argument to the thesis above would be for using honey crisp apples.

Here is an example paragraph:

Other bakers insist that honey crisp apples are better. Their claim is that honey crisp apples are naturally sweeter, they are bigger, and produce more filling. One chef in the big city when interviewed by Chef Judge for Famous Chefs magazine even explained that “honey crisp apples were the only apples he used in his pies at his five-star restaurant,”(Judge 39). While the pies at that restaurant are great, a baker will ultimately use less ingredients when baking with granny smith apples allowing for a simpler, purer taste that really showcases the apple. This is not possible when using Honey crisp because most chefs add lemon to create more tartness and cornstarch to thicken the filling.

Once you are done explaining the counter, you need to add a rebuttal. This is when you present your side of the argument again to reiterate your points. The rebuttal is important because it refocuses the essay back to your side. Without a rebuttal, you are not arguing, just exploring each side.

Example: Although, many bakers disagree with this method of creating the filling.These bakers believe that you have to use granny smith apples, cinnamon, brown sugar and corn starch to create the best apple pie filling. While they are right about the thickness that these ingredients achieve, it only comes from the theory of trying to make your homemade apple pie like store bought apple pie.  Also, these bakers would see nothing wrong with that. Yet, I do. I think the homemade apple pie should offer depth in flavor and a looser consistency that lets the eater know that the pie isn't filled with mostly cornstarch. I still insist that a combination of honey crisp and granny smith apples tastes better and using a bit of flour is more than enough to thicken the filling.

Since there are often counter claims, a writer uses rhetorical appeals to convince the audience of their claim.

There are four rhetorical appeals:

Ethos: Writer uses credibility and facts to appeal to the reader (audience).

Logos: The writer appeals to the logic of the argument by making connections.

Pathos: The writer uses emotion to appeal to the reader (audience).

Kairos: The writer makes sure the argument is timely-relevant.

Misusing the appeals can lead to fallacies.

Writing a counter argument can sometimes be the hardest part of a classic argument.

 

Classroom Activity

To practice, write a counter argument paragraph for the following debate.

The city of Chicago has the best food options and variety in the country.

Remember to have a counter and a rebuttal. Share your counter argument paragraph and discuss. What was difficult about creating one? What was easy?

	Excellently	Adequately	Needs to Review Concepts
Student answers the full question correctly. Paragraph has a counter and a rebuttal.
Student explains reasoning logically and in detail.
Students reflects on writing concepts.

The Conversation

Writing an argumentative research essay, will also require you to go beyond a five paragraph essay. This means entering the conversation and expanding your ideas.

 

 

 

Image: Entering the Conversation-Tips for Responding to an argument

What does it mean to enter a conversation?

Academic arguments involve debates and conversations surrounding a particular issue.

When you have an issue, there are going to be people with different perspectives. This means that all of those people are talking to each other and expressing their opinions about the issue. Their opinions could be based on primary research, secondary research, or personal experiences.

Therefore, when you choose a topic of debate to write about, you are entering into a ongoing conversation that has been already been happening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

So where do you start?

Start by summarizing the current conversations/debates. This will ensure that you fully understand what is at stake and who all the people are that are involved. (Stakeholders)

To summarize the full debate successfully, first write accurate summaries of all your articles, then synthesize those ideas. You can watch videos on summarizing and synthesizing on owl.excelsior.edu

Next ask yourself: To finally enter the conversation, you need to add your own ideas and claims. You can do this by writing an argumentative thesis statement.  For tips on writing thesis statements, review the Focus and Thesis Statements presentation.

Tips for Synthesizing:Find the connection between each of the authors of your sources. Ask yourself these questions: Does this author agree or disagree with the next author? To what extent to they agree or disagree? What about this author's ideas stands out from the rest of the information I have?

Tips for adding your own ideas: If your claim is similar to what has already been said, think about your unique background and experience and how that influenced your ideas. Use that to help you write your claim differently.

If you completely disagree with what has already been said or done, be careful not to make the other argument seem weaker on purpose. Always represent other ideas accurately and fairly. You can also add your ideas even if you agree and disagree. Just be sure to be clear on what you mean. 

If you want to acknowledge that the debate so far is interesting but you think it should be focused on something different, you can do that too! This works best when your claim comes from a completely different angle.

 

 

Here is a paragraph example:

The oven timer beeped, so I turned it off and put on my oven mitts. I opened the oven to a blast of heat that immediately made me blink to prevent dry eyes. I pulled out the apple pie. The smell of apples and cinnamon enveloped me. I couldn't wait to slice into the pie and taste it. This happened to me yesterday, but it happens all the time in homes and restaurants across America. Home bakers and professional pastry chefs create apple pies using a variety of ingredients and methods. While all of these bakers can agree on their love for apple pie, they tend to disagree on most everything else. While the trials end in tasty outcomes, bakers are continuously debating how to get to the final product. Some bakers are solely concerned with the final product. They say that as long as it tastes good and it sells, it doesn't matter how they got there. Others, especially pastry chefs are most concerned with the method. They believe that being meticulous and learning the techniques is essential. Still, others slightly disagree with both of these views. These bakers insists that apple pie is all about comfort. It should make you feel good, and if it is does that, it is a success. I think making apple pie depends mostly on the type of ingredients, the quality of those ingredients, and some basic techniques. These important factors will yield a final product that could rival any five star restaurant.

To learn about introductions do the reading for this lesson.