ARGUMENT NOTES
PERSUASION Definition- Convincing someone to
change their belief or to do something
PERSUASION Definition- Convincing someone to
change their belief or to do something Example- Convince students, staff, and
the district to adopt a uniform policy
ARGUMENT Definition- Presenting and supporting a
claim, but also mentioning the opposite opinion
ARGUMENT Definition- Presenting and supporting a
claim, but also mentioning the opposite opinion
Students and staff at BGJHS should wear uniforms. Some may think they would lose their individuality, but they show this in academic ways.
CLAIM Definition- A belief or opinion on a topic
CLAIM Definition- A belief or opinion on a topic Example- School uniforms are beneficial
to both students and staff
COUNTER-ARGUMENT Definition- The opposing view on a
topic. The opinion of a person who might argue with you.
COUNTER-ARGUMENT Definition- The opposing view on a
topic. The opinion of a person who might argue with you.
COUNTER-ARGUMENT Definition- The opposing view on a
topic. The opinion of a person who might argue with you.
Example- Uniforms would be boring and depressing.
FACTS Definition- A statement that can be
proven to be true
FACTS Definition- A statement that can be
proven to be true Example- Research shows that schools
with a uniform policy have 5o% fewer discipline referrals than those without uniforms.
OPINION Definition- One’s personal belief or
feeling.
OPINION Definition- One’s personal belief or
feeling. Example: Uniforms would make
everyone feel equal.
REBUTTAL Definition- The answer to the counter-
argument. “But”… statement.
REBUTTAL Definition- The answer to the counter-
argument. “But”… statement. Example: Some people think that
uniforms would be boring and depressing, but they would actually help students get interested in education and be less depressed while comparing clothes.
THREE WAYS TO PERSUADE Pathos-
Ethos-
Logos-
THREE WAYS TO PERSUADE Pathos- Feelings/Emotions:
Ethos- Justice/Ethics:
Logos- Logic/Facts
THREE WAYS TO PERSUADE Pathos- Feelings/Emotions: Creating a
mood, making a person feel a certain way, so that they will want to do what you want them to do
Ethos- Justice/Ethics:
Logos- Logic/Factual:
THREE WAYS TO PERSUADE Pathos- Feelings/Emotions: Creating a
mood, making a person feel a certain way, so that they will want to do what you want them to do
Ethos- Justice/Ethics: Making a judgment about right and wrong. Telling your reader that they should agree with your argument because it is a fair or ethical one.
Logos- Logic/Factual:
THREE WAYS TO PERSUADE Pathos- Feelings/Emotions: Creating a
mood, making a person feel a certain way, so that they will want to do what you want them to do
Ethos- Justice/Ethics: Making a judgment about right and wrong. Telling your reader that they should agree with your argument because it is a fair or ethical one.
Logos- Logic/Factual: an argument that is based in research or other factual evidence.
THREE WAYS TO PERSUADE Pathos- Feelings/Emotions: Creating a
mood, making a person feel a certain way, so that they will want to do what you want them to do
Ethos- Justice/Ethics: Making a judgment about right and wrong. Telling your reader that they should agree with your argument because it is a good or ethical one.
Logos- Logic/Factual: an argument that is based in research or other factual evidence.
RELEVANT ARGUMENT Proves the point Is true Makes sense Is credible
“Valid” is a synonym of “relevant”
IRRELEVANT ARGUMENT An irrelevant argument is one that is off
topic OR one that doesn’t prove the point; it
just distracts OR one that is untrue
APPEAL TO FORCE
Someone in a position of power threatens to make bad things happen to anyone who dares to disagree with his argument.
•If you do not agree with my political opinions, you will receive a grade of F for this course.•I believe that Herbert Hoover was the greatest President of the United States.•Therefore, Herbert Hoover was the greatest President of the United States
This might be an effective way to get you to agree (or at least to pretend to agree) with my position, it offers no grounds for believing it to be true.
Irrelevant Conclusion
An argument that actually provides support for an entirely different conclusion.
•All children should have ample attention from their parents.•Parents who work full-time cannot give ample attention to their children.•Therefore, mothers should not work full-time.
This might be true about working parents generally, but doesn’t make it true about women alone and not on men. This procedure may succeed in distracting the audience from the point that is really at issue.
BULLYING, BRIBERY AND BEGGINGTEN METHODS OF FAMILY PERSUASION
10. Use puppy dog eyes and pout with lower lip. 9. Say “Please, please, please,” (shameless begging) 8. Get on hands and knees 7. Say you’ll clean your room. (empty promises) 6. Clasp hands in front of you and smile in a saintly
way. 5. Paper halos 4. Fake tears 3. Whine and say, “Pretty please with sugar on the
top.” 2. Bribe with flowers and candy 1. Try to find a real reason
TOP TEN BETTER METHODS OF TRUTHFUL PERSUASION 10. Know your point of view 9. Listen to the other side 8. Let your facts speak for themselves 7. Be kind and courteous to your opponent 6. Nagging works sometimes 5. Don’t be afraid to use your imagination. 4. Pretend you are the audience when things
get confusing. 3. Use humor 2. Don’t force your argument; show them the
truth 1. End with your best point re-stated in a more
eloquent way.
DIGGING BELOW A POSITION “Persuasion is not forcing someone to
believe what you believe, but rather leading someone to the truth.” Alan Dershowitz
The most powerful persuader will be the one who can take one step back and see the other person’s point of view.
Look for the values that you have in common with your opponent.
EXAMPLE OF DIGGING Kid: Dad, Can I have a friend over? Dad: No. I need the house quiet. Kid: Please! You never let me do
anything! (3B’s) Dad: No. I told you I have a lot of work
to do. Kid: We will play outside and be really
quiet.(Good digging) Dad: I’ll think about it.