03.01 What is argumentation?

The Art of Arguing · quiz worth 33 pts

The big idea Trace a claim to its evidence, answer a counterclaim, and spot the break in faulty reasoning.
What is argumentation? preparation map

Evidence before emotion

In this lesson, argumentation uses facts and reasoning to support a position and consider the opposing side. Persuasion may lean on emotion and present just one side. Ask what supports the message.

argument parts
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Name the appeal

Logos appeals to logic. Pathos appeals to emotion. Ethos concerns ethics and credibility. A relevant, qualified expert can strengthen evidence; check the expertise and the support.

argument parts
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Give each part a job

The claim is the writer’s debatable position. A counterclaim acknowledges the opposite side. A rebuttal uses evidence and reasoning to show why that opposing position is incorrect or flawed.

argument parts
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Follow the reasoning

Deductive reasoning applies a general relationship to a specific case. Inductive reasoning draws a conclusion from observations. The course calls a conclusion from a pattern, such as symptoms leading to a diagnosis, abductive reasoning.

argument parts
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Check the support

Ad hominem attacks a person. Bandwagon uses popularity. Circular reasoning repeats the claim as support. None supplies independent evidence for the position.

argument parts
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Check the leap

False analogy treats a similarity as proof of more similarities. Hasty generalization draws a broad conclusion from too little experience. Slippery slope predicts an unsupported chain of extreme outcomes.

argument parts
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Keep the real issue

A non sequitur introduces unrelated information. A red herring distracts with loosely related information. A strawman replaces the other side’s actual position with an unfair version.

argument parts
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Watch for false choices

The recovered self-check also includes false dichotomy, or either/or: treating two choices as the only possibilities when more positions exist.

argument parts
Use the map to keep each part in its place.

Read the speech for its position

In the Kennedy excerpts, identify the call for the United States to lead in space exploration. Then notice the acknowledged cost. A topic, a supporting detail, and an opposing concern do different jobs.

argument parts
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Try it before moving on

Answer first. Read the explanation after each choice.

Map of the parts being practiced
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Final checklist

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