Chapter 14 - Argumentation

When I read this chapter, the thing that stuck out to me was that there is a difference between argumentation and persuasion.  Our book says that persuasion is more how a writer influences an audience to adopt their belief or follow a certain course of action.  Persuasion focuses more on appealing to the readers emotions (pathos), the readers logic (logos), and and based on the character reputation of the writer.  Argumentation on the other hand is an appeal to reason.  With argumentation the writer is trying to demonstrate or prove that an idea is valid or invalid.  People use these two different techniques every day when they talk to the people around them.  After having read this I noticed more when people were using persuasion versus argumentation when they spoke.

My professional reaction, and what I would teach to a group of students, is how to plan an argumentative essay.
1. Choose a Topic - The textbook says there should be an intellectual or emotional stake in your topic.

2. Develop a Thesis - Your thesis must be debatable and state the position that you will argue.

3. Analyze Your Audience - When preparing for your argumentation essay, you have to think about your audience and if they will be skeptical, friendly, neutral, or hostile to your thesis.

4. Gather and Document Evidence - All the points you make in your essay must be supported or backed up somehow.  Evidence is defined as facts or opinions that support your position.  

5. Kinds of Evidence - There are three kinds of evidence: facts, opinions, and expert opinions.  You just have to make sure that everything is credible information.

6. Criteria for Evidence - Your evidence must be relevant, representative, and sufficient.

7. Dealing with the Opposition - Dealing with the opposition is called refutation.  This step is essential to help you in making the strongest point you can when you are writing your essay.  You can refute an opposing argument by proving and providing evidence that they are unsound, unfair, and weak.

Written By - Kelsey Robison

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