INTRODUCTION TO

ARGUMENTATION
AND DEBATE
Department of Political Science
College of Arts and Sciences
Ifugao State University
Learning Outcomes
◦ The students will:
1. Distinguish the differences of the key concepts in human
reasoning;
2. Analyze the applications of the key concepts on the
routines of individuals; and
3. Critic the role of argumentation in human relations.
What is Argumentation?

◦an art of discourse that seeks to defend a

claim through a process of logical
reasoning and drawing conclusions to
arrive at a consensus.
Purpose of Argumentation

 It seeks to persuade and convince.

 It presents evidences and implications.
 It critiques.
 It provides alternatives.
 It seeks for consensus.
Argumentation in the Political Science Discipline

 POLICIES. It defends the passing of a legislative measure, a policy

action by a government agency, a resolution by a body. It defends why
a body should approve an action or proposal.
◦e.g. a proposed bill or ordinance
Argumentation in the Political Science Discipline

 POSITION. It defends why an action must or must not be

taken either by the government, an employee or a citizen
affected.
◦ e.g. a position submitted why you should not be
dismissed from service
Argumentation in the Political Science Discipline

 PETITION/ APPEAL. It calls for the performance of a duty, a

responsibility or a function by the government, an
organization or a body.
◦ e.g. to continue the provision of free services
Argumentation in the Political Science Discipline

 LEGAL POSITION. It defends whether or not an action is

lawful or unlawful, in accord with the law or not in accord
with the law.
◦ e.g. whether or not Anti-Terror Law violates human rights
Argumentation in the Political Science Discipline

 ACADEMIC/TECHNICAL. It analyzes and defends a theory

in a particular discipline.
◦ e.g. researches, essays
Argumentation in the Political Science Discipline

 OPINION. It defends a personal perspective and try to

refute the opposing viewpoint. It asks the audience to
believe you.
◦ e.g. columns in newspapers
How is argumentation delivered?

 ORAL or SPEECH. Debate. Public Hearing. Dialogue.

Forum.
 WRITTEN. Essay. Letters. Column. Social Media Post
How to determine the soundness of
argumentation?
◦ Based on Aristotle’s cognitive
aspects of appeal.
LOGOS [Logic & Reason]

◦ It appeals on reason through the quality of reasoning

as exemplified in the stand and evidences presented.
◦ It shows the facts, statistics, examples, precedents,
updated authority, and uses deductive and inductive
reasoning.
◦ This is what is primarily sought in argumentation.
ETHOS [Credibility & Ethics]
◦ It appeals or argues through the credibility and veracity of
reasoning.
◦ It seeks to provide experiences of the author or authoritative
persons.
◦ It appropriately uses evidences that are ethically appealing.
◦ In normal persuasion, this appeal is sought often through product
advertisement where they use artists and personalities.
PATHOS [Emotions & Feelings]

◦ It appeals to emotions and affective states.

◦ It uses experiences.
◦ This only becomes an effective persuasive tactic if
not overly done.
The Soundness of Argumentation
◦ A sound argument combines these three in the most appropriate
way with logos still being the dominant component of the argument.
◦ Usually, authors stick to the first appeal, Logos, with the use of logic
and reason.
◦ This is what differentiates argumentative discourse from mere
persuasion or opinion.
◦ In persuasive or opinion, it either appeals through ethos and pathos
which are most visible in advertisement of products.
The Soundness of Argumentation

◦ In argumentation, it primarily uses logic and reason or else

the points will be rejected.
◦ However, the use of all these three cognitive aspects in
argumentation proves to be effective especially in debate.
◦ As such, use ethos and pathos as supporting appeals to
logos.
Guide Steps

◦ LISTEN. Know your data and other relevant

information. If it requires to take a side, choose a
side. Gather evidence to support your claim.
Guide Steps

◦ ORGANIZE. Assess your data and separate arguments for

each side. Order your arguments including the opposing
side. Identify your arguments and the supporting evidences.
Guide Steps

◦ COMMUNICATE. Logically present your arguments following

the different strategies of reasoning. Support your arguments
with evidences. Rebut opposing viewpoints, if it warrants.
Tips in Argumentation
 Know your facts and details. It is a rule that in arguing, you cannot defend
yourself by appealing to ignorance.
 When referencing sources, cite your reference and follow proper paraphrasing
or referencing.
 Resorting to emotional appeal (pathos) should be the last resort if there are no
feasible arguments to present.
 In presenting arguments or evidences, warrants and support, you may use the
logical reasoning strategies of inductive (from specific premises to general
assumption) and deductive reasoning (from general assumption to specific
premises)
What is Debate?

◦ Debate is a structured direct and oral discourse between

two or more persons on a proposition at a designated time
and place.
◦ A debater delivers a constructive speech and/or refute the
arguments of the opponent.
◦ Debate happens either as a contest or as a discourse to
settle disputes in real life such as in the Congress.
What is conviction?

◦ used only in the sense of convincing someone of a fact, or

to state “that a fact is what it is.
◦ The verb “to convince” seems referring to the realm
of thinking, not that of doing; it does not serve to
induce somebody to act but to gain intellectual
agreement and assent.
What is Persuasion?

◦ Persuasion refers primarily to the realm of actions; conviction

refers primarily to the realm of thoughts.
◦ Persuasion concerns mainly manipulation, it has to do with the
idea of “mastering” which seems absent in conviction.
◦ Persuasion is an act, which makes use of emotions, while
conviction does not involve any pathos.
Conviction and Persuasion

◦ Persuasion is centered chiefly on the speaker, it enhances his/her

will and ability to modify other people’s opinions and behavior;
conviction is centered chiefly on the addressee, focuses on his/her
capacity of being convinced and evaluating rationally.
◦ The “convinced” addressee is more active and enterprising than the
“persuaded” addressee, who remains more passive and receptive.
Conviction and Persuasion
PERSUASION CONVICTION
Action Thought
Manipulation No manipulation
Pathos, ethos Logos
Weakness Strength
Uses any means Relies on proof and evidence
Sophistry No sophistry
More speaker’s action / less More addressee’s action / less
addressee’s involvement speaker’s involvement
Argumentation in Human Relations

◦ Family
◦ School
◦ Work
◦ Friends
INTRODUCTION TO
ARGUMENTATION
AND DEBATE
Department of Political Science
College of Arts and Sciences
Ifugao State University