{"id":215,"date":"2021-03-30T16:32:09","date_gmt":"2021-03-30T16:32:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-englishcomp2\/?post_type=chapter&p=215"},"modified":"2022-07-25T19:31:00","modified_gmt":"2022-07-25T19:31:00","slug":"what-is-an-argument","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-englishcomp2\/chapter\/what-is-an-argument\/","title":{"raw":"What is an Argument?","rendered":"What is an Argument?"},"content":{"raw":"
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Learning Objectives<\/h3>\r\nExamine the elements of an argument\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3290\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"300\"]\"Two A visitor (Michael Palin) exchanges words with a professional arguer (John Cleese).[\/caption]\r\n\r\nIn a sketch by the British comedy group Monty Python, a man walks cheerfully into an \"Argument Clinic\" and says he wants to have an argument. After paying the receptionist for a five minute argument, he is shown into an office, where a man behind a desk begins contradicting everything he says. They bicker back and forth for a few minutes, then begin arguing about what argument is:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Man:<\/td>\r\nI came here for a good argument!<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Arguer:<\/td>\r\nAH, no you didn't, you came here for an argument!<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
M:<\/td>\r\nAn argument isn't just contradiction.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
A:<\/td>\r\nWell! it CAN be!<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
M:<\/td>\r\nNo it can't! An argument is a connected series of statements intended to establish a proposition.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
A:<\/td>\r\nNo it isn't!<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
M:<\/td>\r\nYes it is! It isn't just contradiction.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
A:<\/td>\r\nLook, if I ARGUE with you, I must take up a contrary position!<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
M:<\/td>\r\nYes but it isn't just saying 'no it isn't'.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
A:<\/td>\r\nYes it is!<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
M:<\/td>\r\nNo it isn't!<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
A:<\/td>\r\nYes it is!<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
M:<\/td>\r\nNo it ISN'T! Argument is an intellectual process. Contradiction is just the automatic gainsaying of anything the other person says.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
A:<\/td>\r\nIt is NOT!<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
M:<\/td>\r\nIt is!<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
A:<\/td>\r\nNot at all!<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
M:<\/td>\r\nIt is!<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
(The Arguer hits a bell on his desk and stops.)<\/em><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
A:<\/td>\r\nThank you, that's it. ... The five minutes is up.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\nRidiculous as it is, this sketch nicely illustrates the two meanings of argument<\/em>. On the one hand, the word \"argument\" refers to disagreement as such (like an argument with a roommate about who should bring out the trash). On the other hand, \"argument\" refers to \"a connected series of statements intended to establish a proposition.\" As we'll see, academic argument has more in common with the second definition than the first.\r\n

What is an academic argument?<\/h2>\r\nAn academic argument uses a specific formula.\r\n\r\nTopic of Choice<\/span> + Your Claim<\/span> + Reasons\/Evidence<\/span> = Argument<\/span>\r\n

An argument must have a claim<\/h2>\r\nWhen working on an argumentative essay, it is important to first make a claim. This is how your reader will know they are engaging with an argumentative essay instead of a narrative or expository essay. For example, if your topic is \u201cfreedom of speech,\u201d it is important for you, as the writer, to make a claim on this topic and then support this claim (more information on this below) to create an argumentative essay. An example of a claim that would work for an argumentative essay might be, \u201cFreedom of speech is the most important civil liberty.\u201d If you were instead to write about what it means to have freedom of speech in general (narrative essay), or if you were to write an essay where your overall topic is \u201cFreedom of speech may or may not be the most important fundamental civil liberty,\u201d this would not be an argumentative essay because the claim is not clear and the reader does not know your perspective.\r\n\r\nArgumentative essays can be written around any and all topics. A good way to search for a topic is to consider your personal interests, the things you\u2019re passionate about, although you can also write effectively on topics where you\u2019re \u201cneutral,\u201d with no strong opinions or feelings. Fashion, music, movies, food, books, politics, religion -- anything that you feel you can take a stance or form a perspective about can make a good argumentative essay, as long as you can provide support and evidence for your claim.\r\n

Arguments will have opinions, but they really need reason and evidence<\/h2>\r\nWhat was the best TV show currently airing? Why is it so great? Consider your answer. Was it your opinion? Or did you support it with credible pieces of reason<\/strong> or evidence<\/strong> that will solidify your argument if someone were to disagree with you about your choice? For example, let\u2019s say your answer to the above question is Grey\u2019s Anatomy<\/em>, but you don\u2019t tell me why. Then, I counter that This is Us<\/em> is the best TV currently airing because the show has great characters with emotional depth and also strong viewership. I have supported my answer with reason (the character and emotional depth), and evidence (data of the number of viewers).\r\n

Arguments involve more than just the writer...there\u2019s an audience, too<\/h2>\r\nConsider our example above about the best TV show. When you make your argument, it would not be fun to have the conversation by yourself. Instead, you want to share your point of view with someone else and tell them why you love the show. Even better, you want to provide details about why that show is so great. Otherwise, you\u2019d be talking to yourself about something you already believe.\r\n\r\nAn academic argument works the same way. Once you know your topic and you\u2019ve picked your claim, now you want to share it with an audience. Engaging an audience with your argument means you need to provide details, evidence, and support throughout your essay. The reader should feel like they are in conversation with you. Essentially, they want to be \u201cin on the secret,\u201d and understand why you feel so passionate about your topic one way or the other.\r\n

Finally, if you\u2019re going to have an argument, you need an opposing point of view<\/h2>\r\nSpeaking of \u201cone way or the other\u2026\u201d Your argument needs to have an opposite view to be an actual argument. If you present your paper topic as something like: \u201cI really enjoy watching This Is Us<\/em>,\u201d no one can disagree with that opinion (we\u2019ll talk more about opinion and fact later). However, if you instead state: \u201cThis Is Us<\/em> is relatable for American families because it depicts the role of sibling relationships and shines a light on important aspects of American society,\u201d now you have to support these claims with reasons and evidence. Additionally, your reader can decide if they agree with your claim or not.\r\n
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Try It<\/h3>\r\nhttps:\/\/assess.lumenlearning.com\/practice\/20bec6bb-0b44-4e19-ba34-936b158e3c5e\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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To watch<\/h3>\r\nIn this TEDx talk, philosopher Daniel H. Cohen discusses the importance of argument.\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/JTN9Nx8VYtk\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n \r\n\r\n ","rendered":"
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Learning Objectives<\/h3>\n

Examine the elements of an argument<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"Two<\/p>\n

A visitor (Michael Palin) exchanges words with a professional arguer (John Cleese).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

In a sketch by the British comedy group Monty Python, a man walks cheerfully into an “Argument Clinic” and says he wants to have an argument. After paying the receptionist for a five minute argument, he is shown into an office, where a man behind a desk begins contradicting everything he says. They bicker back and forth for a few minutes, then begin arguing about what argument is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Man:<\/td>\nI came here for a good argument!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Arguer:<\/td>\nAH, no you didn’t, you came here for an argument!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
M:<\/td>\nAn argument isn’t just contradiction.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A:<\/td>\nWell! it CAN be!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
M:<\/td>\nNo it can’t! An argument is a connected series of statements intended to establish a proposition.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A:<\/td>\nNo it isn’t!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
M:<\/td>\nYes it is! It isn’t just contradiction.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A:<\/td>\nLook, if I ARGUE with you, I must take up a contrary position!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
M:<\/td>\nYes but it isn’t just saying ‘no it isn’t’.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A:<\/td>\nYes it is!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
M:<\/td>\nNo it isn’t!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A:<\/td>\nYes it is!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
M:<\/td>\nNo it ISN’T! Argument is an intellectual process. Contradiction is just the automatic gainsaying of anything the other person says.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A:<\/td>\nIt is NOT!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
M:<\/td>\nIt is!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A:<\/td>\nNot at all!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
M:<\/td>\nIt is!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
(The Arguer hits a bell on his desk and stops.)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A:<\/td>\nThank you, that’s it. … The five minutes is up.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Ridiculous as it is, this sketch nicely illustrates the two meanings of argument<\/em>. On the one hand, the word “argument” refers to disagreement as such (like an argument with a roommate about who should bring out the trash). On the other hand, “argument” refers to “a connected series of statements intended to establish a proposition.” As we’ll see, academic argument has more in common with the second definition than the first.<\/p>\n

What is an academic argument?<\/h2>\n

An academic argument uses a specific formula.<\/p>\n

Topic of Choice<\/span> + Your Claim<\/span> + Reasons\/Evidence<\/span> = Argument<\/span><\/p>\n

An argument must have a claim<\/h2>\n

When working on an argumentative essay, it is important to first make a claim. This is how your reader will know they are engaging with an argumentative essay instead of a narrative or expository essay. For example, if your topic is \u201cfreedom of speech,\u201d it is important for you, as the writer, to make a claim on this topic and then support this claim (more information on this below) to create an argumentative essay. An example of a claim that would work for an argumentative essay might be, \u201cFreedom of speech is the most important civil liberty.\u201d If you were instead to write about what it means to have freedom of speech in general (narrative essay), or if you were to write an essay where your overall topic is \u201cFreedom of speech may or may not be the most important fundamental civil liberty,\u201d this would not be an argumentative essay because the claim is not clear and the reader does not know your perspective.<\/p>\n

Argumentative essays can be written around any and all topics. A good way to search for a topic is to consider your personal interests, the things you\u2019re passionate about, although you can also write effectively on topics where you\u2019re \u201cneutral,\u201d with no strong opinions or feelings. Fashion, music, movies, food, books, politics, religion — anything that you feel you can take a stance or form a perspective about can make a good argumentative essay, as long as you can provide support and evidence for your claim.<\/p>\n

Arguments will have opinions, but they really need reason and evidence<\/h2>\n

What was the best TV show currently airing? Why is it so great? Consider your answer. Was it your opinion? Or did you support it with credible pieces of reason<\/strong> or evidence<\/strong> that will solidify your argument if someone were to disagree with you about your choice? For example, let\u2019s say your answer to the above question is Grey\u2019s Anatomy<\/em>, but you don\u2019t tell me why. Then, I counter that This is Us<\/em> is the best TV currently airing because the show has great characters with emotional depth and also strong viewership. I have supported my answer with reason (the character and emotional depth), and evidence (data of the number of viewers).<\/p>\n

Arguments involve more than just the writer…there\u2019s an audience, too<\/h2>\n

Consider our example above about the best TV show. When you make your argument, it would not be fun to have the conversation by yourself. Instead, you want to share your point of view with someone else and tell them why you love the show. Even better, you want to provide details about why that show is so great. Otherwise, you\u2019d be talking to yourself about something you already believe.<\/p>\n

An academic argument works the same way. Once you know your topic and you\u2019ve picked your claim, now you want to share it with an audience. Engaging an audience with your argument means you need to provide details, evidence, and support throughout your essay. The reader should feel like they are in conversation with you. Essentially, they want to be \u201cin on the secret,\u201d and understand why you feel so passionate about your topic one way or the other.<\/p>\n

Finally, if you\u2019re going to have an argument, you need an opposing point of view<\/h2>\n

Speaking of \u201cone way or the other\u2026\u201d Your argument needs to have an opposite view to be an actual argument. If you present your paper topic as something like: \u201cI really enjoy watching This Is Us<\/em>,\u201d no one can disagree with that opinion (we\u2019ll talk more about opinion and fact later). However, if you instead state: \u201cThis Is Us<\/em> is relatable for American families because it depicts the role of sibling relationships and shines a light on important aspects of American society,\u201d now you have to support these claims with reasons and evidence. Additionally, your reader can decide if they agree with your claim or not.<\/p>\n

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Try It<\/h3>\n

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