Argumentative Writing

What is an argument?

Argument: A discussion where two or more people disagree, often angrily

"Bob and I had an argument over which pizza topping is best."

No, not that kind of "argument."

Argument: A reason that a person uses to show they are correct

"Bob's argument was that sausage is the best topping because..."

Persuasive Writing vs Argumentative Writing

Persuasive writing aims to get the reader to AGREE with the writer's perspective.

In Persuasion, the writer...

• Attempts to convince the reader that the writer is "right"
• Blends opinions with facts
• Is grounded more in feelings than fact
• Appeals to reader's emotions
• May be one-sided
• Uses a personal, passionate tone

Argumentative writing aims to get the reader to ACCEPT the writer's perspective as VALID.

In Argument, the writer...

• Makes specific, debatable claims
• Presents relevant reasons supported by credible data
• Focuses on evidence
• Is grounded in facts, data, and logic
• Excludes personal opinions
• Takes a fair and reasonable tone

Arguments are CLAIMS backed by REASONS that are supported by EVIDENCE and a WARRANT that explains how the evidence supports the reasons and the claim

Let's break that apart

Elements of Argument

• A CLAIM
• based on REASONS
• that are supported by EVIDENCE
• and a WARRANT that explains how the evidence supports the reasons and the claim

CLAIM

REASONS

EVIDENCE

WARRANT

Example: Billy gets home from school at 3:00. He is supposed to empty the garbage, wash the dishes, and mop the kitchen floor as soon as he gets home.

When Billy's mother gets home at 6:00, she notices that the dishes and kitchen floor are wet, and the garbage did not get picked up by the garbageman.

Billy insists that he did his chores the moment he got home.

Billy's mother does not believe him.

Her Claim:

Billy is lying about what time he finished his chores.

Her Reason #1:

The kitchen was cleaned less than 30 minutes ago.

Her Evidence:

At 6:00, the dishes and entire kitchen floor are still wet.

Her Warrant:

The dishes and floor take only 30 minutes to dry completely.

Her Reason #2:

The garbage was not taken out until after 5:00.

Her Evidence:

The garbageman had not collected their trash that evening.

Her Warrant:

Their garbage is collected at 5:00 pm every evening.

Billy's Reaction

Elements of Argument

• A CLAIM
• based on REASONS
• that are supported by EVIDENCE
• and a WARRANT that explains how the evidence supports the reasons (and the claim)

Additional Elements of Argument

• BACKING supporting the warrants
• QUALIFICATIONS that limit the claim
• COUNTER-ARGUMENTS that refute the claim