FACT, DEFINITION,

VALUE AND POLICY

 ARGUMENT OF FACT

• An argument that tries to establish

whether something is or is not so.
• Facts become arguments when they're
controversial in themselves or when
they're used to challenge or change
people's beliefs.
ARGUMENT OF DEFINITION

• Definitions matter. Definitions matter because they

do.
• Definition arguments try to establish whether
someone or something belongs to a certain category.
• Challenge a definition and seek to broaden an
existing definition.
• It is possible to disagree with dictionary definitions
or to regard them merely as starting points for
arguments.
 ARGUMENT OF VALUE
• Value in an argument can be a warrant or
justification connecting your grounds/evidence
to its primary point.
• In an argument, assume that the person
listening will fill in desired value.
• In general, the side that best upholds his or her
value premise which was adequately defended
wins the argument/debate.
 POLICY ARGUMENT
• A policy argument supports a claim that
something should or should not be done.
• Such arguments have two main components: a
claim and its support. The claim assert what
should or should not be done.
• Support for the claim presents the facts and
interpretation that lead to making that claim.