Argumentation uses clear thinking and logic to convince

the reader of the soundness of an opinion on a controversial

issuePersuasion uses emotional and dramatic language to appeal to

the readers’ concerns, beliefs and values.

• Argumentation-persuasion involves more than presenting a point of view and providing evidence. It assumes controversy and addresses opposing opinions.

• i.e. In parts of the country, communities established for adults refuse to rent to families with children. How do you feel about that?

• School athletic leagues have a “no pass, no play” policy. Explain why this policy is appropriate or not appropriate.

Your main concern is with the soundness or logos of your argument: facts, statistics, examples and authoritative statements to support your argument.• Your readers will dismiss your argument if

you cannot support your claim with logos.

• Sensitivity to the pathos, or emotional power of language, is another key consideration for argumentation-persuasion essays.– Pathos appeals to the readers’ sense of

needs, values, attitudes, encouraging them to commit themselves to a viewpoint or course of action.

–Connotative language- words with strong emotional overtones- can move readers to accept a point of view and may spur them on to act. • Advertising uses pathos to the exclusion of logic

to influence and manipulate.

Finally, establish your ethos, or credibility and reliability. • Convince your readers you know what

you’re talking about. • Over emotionalism undermines your

credibility.

Writing an effective argumentation-persuasion essay involves in interplay of logos, pathos, and ethos in balance.

Supportive• Your argument may rely primarily on pathos

Wavering• Don’t be too emotional; concentrate on

ethos and logos Hostile

• Avoid emotional appeal; rely heavily on logos

1--Identify the controversy surrounding the issue and state your position at the beginning of the paper. This is your assertion proposition.

--Avoid a proposition that is simply factual. Take a stand on a controversial issue.

--Be sure your proposition that is narrow and specific enough to debate completely.

--Your thesis should state your opinion or call for action.

2– Offer readers strong support for your thesis.(unified, adequate, specific, accurate, dramatic and representative)

1st person is your personal observation or experience

3rd person focuses on the issue: statistics, facts from another source, examples, expert opinion

Whatever sources you use- document them.

3—Seek to create goodwill. Do not antagonize your reader.Focus on the issue not the people involved.Find common ground- some points on which you can agree.

4– Organize the supporting evidenceChoose a pattern of development

5—Acknowledge differing points of viewFirst- acknowledge the opposing points of view in a two part proposition.

e.g. Although some teachers think that standardized tests restrict academic freedom, such exams are preferable to those prepared by individual teachers. Second- in the introduction provide a brief summary of the opposing viewpoint. Third– take one or two paragraphs to present the opposing point of view, then go on to present your view point. (nevertheless. . ., however. . .)

6- Refute differing viewpoints

Two strategies:State your proposition Cite opposing evidence one point at

a time

State your proposition Cite opposing evidence all at the

same time

Be sure to provide clear transition signals so your reader isn’t confused

7--Use inductive or deductive reasoning

Inductive reasoning involves examining specific cases, facts or examples, then draw a generalized conclusion based on these specifics.

Scientists do this when they examine evidence then draw a conclusion.

e.g. My head aches. My nose is stuffy. I’m coming down with a cold. I should take some Tylenol.

Your evidence must be recent and accurate

Deductive reasoning

Deductive reasoning begins with a generalization then applies that to a specific case.

This three-step process is called a syllogism

Major premise- a general statement

Minor premise- a statement about an item within the group

Conclusion

Beware of faulty conclusions

Your reasoning is invalid if your conclusion reverses the “if…then” relationship implied in the major premise.

Major premise- Students who cheat must go see Dr. Sheard

Minor premise- Yesterday Jen was called to Dr. Sheard’s office

Conclusion- Jen must have cheated.

8- Recognize logical fallacies

Post hoc fallacy- you conclude that a cause-effect relationship exists because one event precedes another

The cafeteria hired a new cook and the price for meals increased.

Non sequitur fallacy- a conclusion is drawn that has no logical connection

Millions of Americans own cars, so there is no need to fund public transportation

Ad hominem argument- attacking the person instead of the point of view

Dr. Smith, who does abortions, was involved in a messy divorce last year.

Appeals to questionable authority“Sources say. . .”“Research shows. . .”“Experts claim. . .”

Begging the question- failure to establish proof for a debatable point

Trying to ban prayer in public places by saying that violates the U.S. Constitution.

False analogy disregards significant dissimilarities and wrongly implies that because the two share some characteristics, they are alike in all aspects.

Driving while smoking cigarettes is not illegal, so driving while smoking marijuana should not be illegal either.