The 3 Approaches to Argument

The 3 Approaches to Argument

1. The Classical Approach to Argument

   • Introduction
     • hook the audience
     • want the people to consider your idea
   • Statement of fact
     • Make your issue clear
     • Give any necessary background info
     • Give definitions
   • Proposition
     • State your most important argument
     • Provide support
       • Foreshadows your argument
   • Refutation
     • Explore any opposing statements
       • Refute and address said statement
         • Point out everything wrong with the opposing case
   • Substantiation and Proof
     • Establish your own case
     • Make use of ethos, pathos, and logos
       • Helps develop your case
     • Evidence
   • Conclusion
     • Summarize
     • Utilize pathos
       • Appeals to feeling or values

2. The Toulmin Approach to Argument

   • Claim
     • State what you want the audience to believe
       • Why should they believe you?
   • Grounds
     • The base of persuasion
     • Made up of data and hard facts
     • Numbers
       • Percentages
     • Back up the claim
   • Warrant
     • Links data and hard facts to claim
     • Can be explicit OR implicit
       • Usually implicit
         • Leaves room for other person to question and expose warrant
           • Show it is weak or unsupported
     • Answers this question:
       • "Why the data proves your claim to be true
     • May use logos, ethos, or pathos
   • Backing
     • Support
     • Extra support to the warrant
       • By answering various questions
   • Qualifier
     • Reigns in who your claim relates to
     • Sometimes use generally vague words
       • Helps "most people"
       • "Usually"
       • "Virtually"
       • "Unless"
   • Rebuttal
     • Refutes counter-arguments
     • An argument itself
     • May include a claim, warrant, backing, and even a rebuttal
     • Need to understand possible rebuttals and rebuttals to the rebuttals

3. The Rogerian Approach to Argument

   • Introduction
     • Brief
     • Without bias
     • Defines the issue or problem
   • State Opponent's View
     • Neutral
     • Non-judgmental
     • Use bona fide contexts
     • Demonstrates understanding on the author's part
   • Neutral Statement
     • Explanation of your view
     • Contexts as to why it is legitimate
   • Analysis
     • What your view and the other person's view have in common
     • What they share:
       • Goals
       • Values
   • Proposal
     • How to solve the issue
       • Benefits both sides
     • Bring up how your view could help the opposition