Arguments

To engage in an argument it must be:

Real

Important

Specific

Aligned

Reasons People Argue

About Facts

About Judgments

About Opinions

About Prescriptions

Topic Analysis = A visual tool and a skill to get to the root of an argument

What?

Why?

When did this happen before?

Who cares?

Every argument must:

Claims it makes is true

The claims support the conclusion

Conclusion because...

The main claim supports the conclusion.

Carful structuring

Practice writing arguments down; you’ll find it easier to speak.

Rebuttal:

Show the claims they are making are not true

Even if the claims are true, they don’t support the conclusion

the facts do not support your claim

you have not shown sufficient evidence

inconclusive

true, but doesn’t support the conclusion

Not important

Outweighed by other factors

Side-switch - preempt the opponents attack

For 5 minutes consider the argument from their side

Think of all the reasons they support their side

List all the rebuttals to their position

Arguments must do two things:

Burden 1 Truth - the claim is true

Burden 2 Importance - The fact that it is true justifies the conclusion you are trying to draw