Ramage Chapter 4: The Logical Structure of Arguments

ENG 102 9AM

REAL-WORLD LOGIC

Dont use the word prove because Real-world arguments seldom prove anything
The

best that can be hoped for is to strengthen the resolve of those in agreement or weaken the opposition

Must be grounded in beliefs, assumptions, or values granted by the audience

Are

often unstated If these underlying assumptions arent shared, the writer has a problem

ENTHYMEME: THE CORE OF AN ARGUMENT

An incomplete logical structure Its persuasiveness depends on an underlying assumption or belief that the audience must accept If audience is unwilling to supply the missing premise, then the argument fails Successful arguments depend both on what arguer says and on what audience already has in mind

THE POWER OF THE AUDIENCE

What seems like a good reason to you may not be a good reason to others Audience-based reasons means finding arguments that are rooted in your audiences beliefs and values

TOULMIN SYSTEM - THIS BASIC CONCEPTION OF ARGUMENT INCLUDES SEVERAL ELEMENTS:

A claim Based on some sort of evidence A warrant (common sense rules that people generally accept as true) that explains how the evidence supports the claim Backing supporting the warrants Qualifications and rebuttals that refute competing claims

TOULMIN ARGUMENT
Issue: What car should we buy? Enthymeme #1: We should buy this Hybrid car because it is economical. Enthymeme #2: We should buy this used Volvo because it is very safe. Enthymeme #3: We should buy this Mustang because it is red. Does one of these arguments seem a little odd or off-base?

TOULMIN ARGUMENT
Each enthymeme depends on an unstated assumption Audience has to buy into argument in order to be swayed What is the unstated assumption behind each enthymeme?

TOULMIN ARGUMENT
Assumption for enthymeme #1: We should buy the car that is most economical (Economy is the major criterion we should use in selecting a car) Assumption for enthymeme #2: We should buy the car that is most safe (Safety is the major criterion we should use in selecting a car) Assumption for enthymeme #3: We should buy a car that is red (The color red is the major criterion we should use in selecting a car)

TOULMIN ARGUMENT
See example on Weebly

FOR WEDNESDAY
Ramage Chapter 10 1. Name and explain the five types of claims.

Rough draft Toulmin due Wednesday