Chapter 2 Berkelman
  • arguments explain what we think and why we think so
  • arguments are defined by their function or their form or structure
  • arguments originate from unknown answers or problems that people want an answer to
  • where do we find arguments?
    • scholars
    • government and military intelligent experts
    • lawyers
    • scientists
  • begin with a question or uncertainty and use some method of investigation and case building to arrive at a conclusion
  • scholars might:
    • discover a question that puzzles them
    • feel aggravated by a problem
    • disagree with findings
    • find something that contradicts previous experiences
  • finding a reason in writing will help develop your scholarly skills
  • scholars often discover their hypothesis throughout their research
  • scholars are guided by inquiry-an attempt to gather understanding and gather knowledge
  • what we know, think, and believe evolves through investigations, new experiences, and persuasive arguments
  • the best arguments are the ones that have important implications-consequences or effects that answer the so what question
  • catalyst-inquiry-argument- implications
  • you need claims and supports to back up your thesis
  • evidence-anything we can observe
  • verification-things we can look up
  • illustrations-things we imagine
  • evidence is a primary source-something you can collect and analyze yourself
  • verification is a secondary source-someone else has already analyzed or interpreted the evidence
  • illustration is an original sourcce-one you create or borrow for a particular argument
  • what should the support accomplish?
    • do we want it to build credibility, active reasoning, or evoke emotion?
  • a linkage explains the "because" part of an argument
  • effective arguments always build on some basis of acceptance or agreement
  • assumptions are any elements of the argument that either the writer or the audience are thinking but not saying
  • assumptions make up the bulk of the total argument
  • arguments that anticipate disconnects-that is , objections and unshared assumptions-have the best chance for changing our audience's mind
  • increased controversy requires increased explanation
  • common rookie mistakes:
    • arguing the obvious
    • arguing without support
    • supporting without arguing
  • to avoid arguing the obvious:
    • read more
    • ask an expert
  • to avoid arguing without support
    • highlight your argument
    • consult a reader
  • to avoid supporting without arguing
    • use topic sentences
    • search for stranded support
  • in effective arguments, the writer's catalyst and the implications for the audience converge to answer the question so what?
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