Process of Argumentation

Writing a Good Persuasive or Argumentative Essay

Assertion/claim-a statement or an opinion. This is often considered a thesis

Evidence/support- a fact, a figure, examples, or a statistic, a poll, etc….

Logical Reasoning

Logic- reason or sound judgment

Reason-sound judgment; good sense, to form conclusions, judgments, or inferences from facts

Deduction- based upon a three part structure, comprised of two facts and a conclusion
Fact #1- The majority of athletes get hurt at least once participating in their sport of choice during their teenage years.

Fact #2- 80 % of high school students that participate in school sports receive a minimum of one injury during their high school career.

Specific conclusion- Playing a sport in high school is a risk. (I should condition well for my sport.)

Faulty Reasoning

In trying to persuade people, writers and speakers may use techniques that SEEM logical and factual.

Overgeneralization

A statement so broad that it cannot possibly be true

Examples:

Everyone loves Brittany Spears’ new song

No one will ever like the new schedule

Stereotypes

An overgeneralization about an entire group of people.

Examples:

Rich white men are racists

All teenagers are irresponsible

You girls are overly emotional

They are lazy

Either/Or Statement

Suggests that there are only two choices available in a situation.

Examples:

Either you join the new recycling club, or you don’t care about the environment

Either we add more study halls, or grades will fall

If you aren’t a vegetarian, then you hate animals

Circular Reasoning

Attempts to prove a statement simply by repeating it in different words, instead of giving good reasons

Examples:

The library book was overdue because it was late

Crime must be stopped so it won’t happen anymore

Slippery Slope

Based upon a metaphor which asserts that if you take one step down it will be a slippery slope

Examples:

If I don’t get those new shoes no one will like me, I will have to do drugs to fit it, I will drop out of college, and work at Chuckie Cheese for the rest of my life!!!

False Cause-and-Effect Statement

Wrongly implies that one event cause another.

Examples:

She didn’t buy those new running shoes, and as a result she lost the race.

She had a fight with her husband, so she must have killed him.

Mrs. Gatlin was gone on Monday, and that is why I didn’t pass my test.

Emotional Appeals

Appealing to a person’s emotions to get a point across. This is often used in commercials and political speeches.

Loaded Language

Using strong words to stir up positive or negative feelings.

Examples

Michael Jordon was a dynamic and amazing basketball player.

Mozart is incredibly boring, and it is a waste of our time.

Chores are too demanding and oppressive.

Name-Calling

A way of getting people to reject someone’s ideas by verbally attacking the person instead. People who use this strategy fail to address what’s really important- the ideas.

Example

Don’t vote for Pedro! He is lazy.

The principal won’t allow us to have longer lunches because he is a cruel dictator.

Bandwagon Appeal

Some of us want to fit in and be accepted. These statements appeal to a person’s desire to be just like everyone else.

Examples

Why aren’t you eating Super Snacks? Everyone else is.

I should be allowed to go to the skating rink because everyone else does.

All the other schools have longer lunches!

Snob Appeal

Targets those people who want to be different from everyone else and be superior.

Example

Don’t be just another face in the crowd! Wear Prada shades.

If you are really educated and smart, you will agree with me.

Don’t be a loser. Let Power Cleats power your soccer game!