Saraphena Teasley

 

Professor Gill Mayberry

 

21 May 2014

 

Mid Quarter Orals 

 

                      The title Everything’s an Argument is much more than a snappy phrase because it represents authors’ convictions and intentions. All language no matter the context is motivated: things are said for a motivational reason. A movie poster for a new movie usually says, “#1 movie in America,” which is implicitly arguing that it is a really good movie that everyone should watch. Here the motive is to generate revenue.

                       Language is a human activity, and is always motivated. But instead of using the word “motivated,” since it has a negative connotation, we like to say “purpose,” “goal,” or “aspiration.” Humans exist in a complex secular world, and in order to avoid disagreement we must find a common ground to help develop trust between each other. Language is a form of symbolic action. There are two types of symbolic action, which include a strong version and a weak version. An example of the weak version would be saying that language is used only to inform, not give opinion, that it has effects in the world, or that people use language to accomplish ends. And an example of the strong version would be the death of a dove, which would symbolically represent the end of peace/ war because a dove is a universal symbol for peace. Language can be used to create identification and is open to interpretation and negotiation. Symbolic Action was created by Pierre Bourdieu who was a French sociologist, anthropologist and philosopher who wrote several books on the topic of sociology and Kenneth Burke who was an American literary theorist who made a great impact on 20th century philosophy, aesthetics, criticism, and rhetorical theory.

                      Aristotle was a famous Greek philosopher and scientist. He created a method for classifying the purposes of arguments based on the past, future, and present. An example for the past would be a forensic argument. An example for the future would be deliberative arguments, which are used establish policies for the future. And an example for the present would be a ceremonial argument, which is used in social occasions like, graduation speeches, or inaugural addresses or sermons. This method is very helpful in creating strategies for making convincing cases (EaA pg. 15). He also identified three important ways that can help writers appeal to their audiences; he called these appeals pathos, ethos and logos. Pathos is emotional appeal or appeal to the heart, ethos is ethical appeal or appeals based on the writer's authority and credibility and logos is logical appeal or appeals to reason.

                       Arguments are part of everyday life. In the books Everything's an Argument and Little Brown Handbook we learn more about how exactly how arguments are implemented into everyday life. An argument is an attempt to persuade an audience or individual of something, by giving reasons to accept a particular conclusion as the truth. The argument is used to impose his/her truth on others because they are convinced that he/she has the truth. In Everything's an Argument it gives several examples of different types of argument, such as arguments of fact, definition, ethics, and humor. For example an argument of fact is one that can be proved or disapproved with specific evidence or testimony. Through these types of argument with the correct language choice and execution we can create strong argument to persuade our audiences.

                        When one is trying to persuade they are saying that they already know the truth. And, it is their job to convince the audience as to why their conviction is the best option. The main goal of persuasion is to change a point of view or to move others from conviction to action.

                          Invitational argument is not the kind that aims to win over an individual or group but one that invites others to join a space of mutual acknowledgement. This type of argument is not for combatting, but to bring in opposite sides and respect each other’s views. This type of argument is open to inviting others into the debate and is used to pursue the truth, not to impose it.

                          Rogerian Argument was named after the psychotherapist Carl Rogers which is based on finding common ground and creating trust between those who disagree about a certain a topic. It also teaches to approach the audience in nonthreatening ways. Rogerian argument is to try to understand the perspectives with those that they disagree with to find a win/win outcome.

                            The Toulmin Statement (method) was named after the British philosopher Stephen Toulmin in The Uses of Argument (1958). Toulmin was in search of a method that could describe the way people make convincing and reasonable arguments. The Toulmin method begins with a claim that is controversial or debatable. Next there must be a qualifier, good reasons, warrants, backing, evidence, authority, conditions of rebuttal, and a response in order to follow the Toulmin method. A qualifier is a statement that limits the strength of the argument or statements that propose the conditions under which the argument is true. Warrants are general, hypothetical, and logical statements that serve as bridges between the claim and the data. Backing is statements that serve to support the warrants. A rebuttal is counter-arguments or statements indicating circumstances when the general argument does not hold true.

                             Stasis theory can be used to explore different parts of a problem and use different evidence or techniques to reach a certain conclusion. Even though it is simple to define, this type of argument involves several layers of complexity that are not always noticed in the beginning. The six key issues that were put together to help in developing an argument, leading to Aristotelian classic argumentative structure are the claim, qualifier, warrants, backing, grounds, and rebuttal.

                             In order to receive the most successful evaluation on the Ebonics Debate paper we must include all of the constituent elements of Aristotelian Classical Argument. The first element is the introduction paragraph, which includes a hook, bridge, and divided stasis/thesis. The second element is the narration, which involves providing a summary of the background information to give the reader knowledge of the topic. The third element is the confirmation paragraph where the writer gives a good amount of evidence to support their claim. The fourth element is the concession, this is where you concede any points that you would agree on and want to make your audience listen. The fifth element is the refutation; this is where the opposing claims are addressed. The last element is the summary paragraph; this is where the writer summarizes their main point to end their paper. Once all these parts are included we will have followed the professors dictated rubric and will receive a grade accordingly.