stag 8

Definition of a Credible Argument: An argument that presents a claim that is true, applicable, or relevant with supporting justifications and evidence.

Claim:
- Asserts that an idea is true, applicable, or relevant.
- Can take forms such as a recommendation, point of analysis, interpretation of data, or hypothesis.
Justification:
- For a claim to be believable, it necessitates a clear explanation and logical reasoning.
- How the claim is derived from factual data is essential.
Evidence:
- Should include scientific objective data, testing, modeling, scientific or mathematical principles, prior designs, and research.
- Source: Irish, R., & Weiss, P.E. (2013). Engineering Communication: From Principles to Practice, 2nd ed. (pp. 85-94). Oxford University Press.

What claim do I want my audience to understand, accept, use, or do?
What support does my claim require? (The claim cannot stand alone.)
Can the claim be positioned first? (Claim-first presentation is the strongest.)
Does my argument facilitate understanding or acceptance?
Does the argument answer both "So what?" and "What?" (Interpretation is often more valuable than raw analysis.)
Have I cultivated trust? (Demonstrating credibility and humanity through logos, ethos, and pathos is suggested, although logic alone may not suffice.)
Does my argument conform to familiar structures that the reader may recognize?

Common Patterns Include:
- Mechanism description
- Process description
- Most to least & escalating/decreasing
- General to specific
- Known to new
- Classification and division
- Exemplification
- Narration
- Situation-problem-solution-evaluation
- Cause-effect
- Comparison and contrast
- Definition

Definition: Framing knowledge involves providing your audience with a roadmap for what to expect in the forthcoming communication.
Analogy: Similar to setting up a story or a joke, background information is necessary for audience comprehension.
Two Major Ways to Frame Knowledge:
1. Forecasting what is coming.
2. Providing critical information.
- Source: Irish, R., & Weiss, P.E. (2013). Engineering Communication: From Principles to Practice, 2nd ed. Oxford University Press.

The goal is to give an overview of the structure, aiding the reader in comprehending both the substance and order of the information to be presented.
Example:
- Section header:
1. Existing Conditions
  - Architectural Findings: Highlights from initial site visits include the existence of a body shop.
  - Structural Assessments: A detailed examination of existing structural features of the facility.

It is beneficial to give crucial information right at the outset to maintain reader engagement with the details.
Example:
- The crane in question is one of three utilized for emptying crucibles into casthouse furnaces.
- Cranes numbered 37712 and 37711, originally 20-ton units manufactured in 1968 by John T. Hepburn Company, were upgraded to 25 tons in 1984.
- A third crane, number 37720, was purchased at the same time, also designed to handle 25 tons.

Importance of Headings:
- Readers typically skim through documents, focusing initially on section headings, topic sentences, and figure captions.
- Clarity and precision in headings not only aid time-pressed readers but also direct their initial focus.

Conventional Headings: Meet expectations; e.g., Executive Summary, Introduction, Background, Scope, Methods, Discussion, Results, Recommendation, Conclusion.
- Source: Irish, R., & Weiss, P.E. (2013). Engineering Communication: From Principles to Practice, 2nd ed. Oxford University Press.
Informative Headings: Enhance understanding of the text; e.g., Analysis of Joint Structure, Examination of Failure Mechanism.
- Source: Irish, R., & Weiss, P.E. (2013). Engineering Communication: From Principles to Practice, 2nd ed. Oxford University Press.
Examples of Effective Headings:
- Dewatering versus Successful Dewatering of Tunnel 3G
- Need for a Dewatering Plan for Tunnel 3G
- Anticipated Delays Due to Dewatering Problems in Tunnel 3G.
- Source: Ewald, T. (2017). Writing in the Technical Fields: A Practical Guide. Oxford University Press.
Extended Phrase Headings: Used to provide clarity; e.g., "The twin-pit latrine is the best solution for the community," and "The construction of the latrines can be completed in three phases."
- Source: House, R., Layton, R., Livingston, J., & Mosely, S. (2017). The Engineering Communication Manual. Oxford University Press.

Combining Heading Types:
- Using conventional headings to create more informative headings, such as:
  - Background on Geological Formations in the Mine Area
  - Results: Testing of Laser Therapeutic Intensities.
- Employ subheadings for added clarity, for example:
  - 2. Background
  - 2.1 Economics of Recovering Oil from Tar Sands
  - 2.2 Processes Currently Used
- Source: Irish, R., & Weiss, P.E. (2013). Engineering Communication: From Principles to Practice, 2nd ed. Oxford University Press.

Use MS Word templates to maintain consistent format for headings.
Consider aesthetic factors like coloring, bold styling, point sizes, and numbered headings for long documents.
Differentiate between headings and body text by utilizing varying typefaces.
- Source: Ewald, T. (2017). Writing in the Technical Fields: A Practical Guide. Oxford University Press.

Focus: Peer editing of the final report.
Instructions: Bring a hard copy of your section of the final report.
Collaboration: Share work with a teammate for peer editing purposes as part of class activity.