Argumentation and Handling Differing Views - Study Notes
Page 1: Arguments
(Transcript content for this page is simply the heading “Arguments.”)
Page 2: Essential components of an argument
A clear statement of your position on the issue (central claim/thesis)
Reasons (backing) - sense of the larger implications of the claim
Evidence that supports the claim
Explanations of how the evidence supports the claim
Arguments
Page 3: Entering a Controversy
You are articulating your relationship to others (agreement, qualified support or counterargument).
You are drawn into alliances with some and differences with others.
You need to recognize why speakers disagree and what they have at stake.
Entering a Controversy
Page 4: Types of Issues in Arguments
Arguable points that people make when differences exist.
The reasons developed can be based on one of these: Issues of Substantiation, Issues of Evaluation, Issues of Policy.
3 Types of Issues
Page 5: Issues of Substantiation
Questions of disputed facts, definitions, causes and consequences.
Involves asking whether something actually happened, what it is, what brought it about and what its effects are.
Asks you to look at evidence available to establish such a cause-and-effect relationship.
Issues of Substantiation
Page 6: Issues of Evaluation
Issues of Evaluation: Questions about whether something is good or bad, right or wrong, desirable or undesirable, effective or ineffective, valuable or worthless
Page 7: Issues of Policy
Issues of Policy: Questions of what we should do and how we should implement our aims (The course of action recommended)
Page 8: Strengthening your argument and handling differing views
Can strengthen your argument by showing:
You are willing to take all sides into account
You can refute objections to your argument
You can concede the validity of differing views
Differing Views
Page 9: Presenting differing views with credibility
Readers can detect when writers handle differing views in a distorted way
The writer’s ethos (credibility and character) depends on how reasonably you deal with differences
Summarize fairly and accurately
You show readers that you have anticipated reasonable differences and intend to deal with them responsibly
Summarize
Page 10: Responding to opposing views
Explain what’s wrong with them
Clarify the differences that divide you
Explain what you see as the weakness in the other lines of reasoning
Refute
Page 11: Conceding and integrating differing views
When different views have merit don’t ignore them
Don’t give up on your argument – explain how it relates to differing views
Another means of clarifying differences and explaining your position in the fullest way
Follow it up with an explanation of how your position relates to the point you have conceded
Concede
Page 12: Finding common ground and negotiating differences
Identifying possible points of agreement in differing views
Find common ground
Not always possible, but worth trying
Negotiated differences can strengthen your argument by broadening its appeal and showing your desire to take into account as many views as possible
Viable Alternatives