ANALYZING AND CONSTRUCTING

ARGUMENTS

Johnathan Guardiola
English-1302
Analyzing Arguments

◦ When analyzing or making an argument it is important to understand them to the best of your ability. Understanding
both sides of an argument benefits you and the way you want to counter someone’s argument.
◦ Arguments are every where and can involve thousands of people advocating for their own side.
◦ The main goal of this chapter is to help you analyze arguments you may come across and will help you create
arguments of your own.
Where Is The Argument Coming From?

◦ Trace down the creator of an argument and make sure they are credible. Although you know who is relaying the
argument, you should go follow the stream to figure out where the argument came from.
◦ As you create essays, think long and hard about how you relate to the argument. Why are you making this argument?
Where are you coming? How do you want to come off on your readers? Knowledge? Opinionated?
◦ How do you plan on showing your argument? Think about the words you will use and how you put together.
What's The Claim?

◦ Pizza Hut is the best pizza chain in the world. This claim is how arguments start. All it takes is from someone to
disagree and say that Dominos is. Every statement should be backed with enough support and evidence.
◦ When making a claim ensure that it is arguable by taking a position so that someone else can have a different stance.
◦ When writing academically, your claim is your thesis which informs your audience on the topic and the important
points. The thesis will help your audience stay with you throughout each paragraph.
What’s At Stake?

◦ Ask yourself what facts are related to the issue and explain what happened.
◦ How can you describe the issue being talked about.
◦ Is the issue important to people or certain groups and why.
◦ What can be done for said issue?
These questions are important for people to be able to figure out and analyze an argument
Means of Persuasion

Emotional Appeal (Pathos)

◦ Involves someone's values and feelings to persuade them to agree with them. Appealing to the heart
Ethical Appeal (ethos)
◦ Involves the credibility and character of the person making the argument. People with a credible background are often
trusted and believed.
Logical Appeal (logos)
◦ Uses logic and reason to appeal to a reader. It is said that logos is the most important of all three.

The use of these appeals depends how you wish to persuade your audience to agree to your argument.
What About Other Perspectives?

◦ Considering ones perspective on an argument is crucial in building your credibility with your audience. It shows your
audience that you understand your issue, that you aren’t closed-minded, and that your acting fairly.
◦ Remember people have different viewpoints on an issue so understanding their arguments will help you come up with
a thesis or even change your stance.
Ways Of Structuring Arguments

◦ There are a couple of ways to organize your arguments. You can choose to slowly build up your argument by
introducing your evidence at the beginning and then giving the claim after you have a solid foundation.
◦ Another way is to state your claim immediately then build on that by inserting key points and evidence little by little.
No matter your approach, arguments have a purpose and should be backed by evidence to support your claim.
Matters Of Style

Three types of writing styles include:

◦ Tough
◦ Sweet
◦ Stuffy
No matter the style you choose to use, if you use it correctly your message effect will reach your audience. Choosing the
right style to persuade your audience helps you reinforce your message.
References

Lunsford, Andrea A., et al. Everyone's an Author. W. W. Norton & Company, 2023,
https://nerd.wwnorton.com/nerd/253710/r/goto/cfi/182!/4?lti=true.
 THE END

Johnathan Guardiola