Argumentation (Structure)

Nathan Loynes

1. Structure2. The use of evidence3. Balance and Rebuttals4. The big picture5. Class discussion

Recap: In the previous session

• We examined rhetoric.• We identified certain stylistic techniques that

persuade us in arguments.• Sometimes our interlocutor will use these

rhetorical techniques purposefully.• Sometimes they might use them without being

aware that they are doing so.• In both cases, our interlocutor is motivated

from a position to ‘win’ the argument.

3 key messages from last week:

• Being able to separate rhetoric from legitimate comment within arguments in the media is a worthwhile transferable skill.

• In constructing your argument for the debate and related rationale you should avoid using rhetoric of others in your arguments.

• Importantly, you should avoid using rhetoric in your own arguments in any of the module assignments. (And future written assignments in other modules).

Today’s session

• Writing a title for your argument can often lead to a sense of the ‘position’ that you are about to take. (It is acceptable to write a rhetorical title).

• However, sometimes the title does not ‘come to you’ until the end.

• Spend a few moments discussing with your neighbours what your working title might be. Have a go at writing it out.

Read Leahy’s ‘20 titles for the writer’ (Excerpt 1 in today’s pack)

• Are any of them helpful/Unhelpful?• Could you address point 6?• With your neighbour discuss

point 17 with your neighbour – can you address it?

Fanning the flames? Put more: Coal on.

• Join the title you created in point 17 with a colon to your original working title.•What do you think?

Plan: Debate notes: Rationale

• “If you do enough planning before you start to write, there's no way you can have writer's block. I do a complete chapter by chapter outline” (R. L. Stine)

Organising Relevant Material (Redman in today’s pack)

Writing Tight (Cutts, 2009)

Concision and brevity without loss of structure and meaning are key features of the rationale writing aspect of this assignment.(And I would argue ALL assignments)

Kirton ‘Academic Conventions’

• Write about the action – not who is doing it.• Let us examine the example on page

132 ‘ In this country…’• Cliches… (page 135)• Hedging (the ‘off the peg’

‘combination’

Conclusion

• Be clear of the main focal claim that you are arguing. Never forgot this ‘point in the dartboard’

• Write your argument as if you were constrained within train tracks (tight parameters)

• Always consider the big picture implications between the focal claim and the warrant.

• Evidence should reasonably sit within the warrant.• A title can held define your claim more clearly.• Avoid rhetoric (Except perhaps in your title).