1. UNIT 3 Constructing Arguments Please Get a Copy of the DA

2. CLAIMS Any belief the source wishes the receiver to accept.

3. It is the Focal Point of Persuasion -- The point we want to get across

4. TYPES of CLAIMS

5. Designative They are concerned with fact – “Is it?” They get at a belief or what something is or is not.

6. Did the person driving exceed the posted speed limit? Did the bookstore make money during the last quarter?

7. Definitive They answer the question “what is it” or “what do we call it?” They get at what something should be called.

8. Is a 6-win and 5-loss football season a winning season? Is the taking of a life by Mr. Smith “first degree murder?”

9. Evaluative They are concerned with “what is its quality?” It’s judgment based – is something good or bad

10. Cheating on an exam is an evil thing. All politicians are treacherous slime.

11. Advocative They are concerned with policy – “What should be done about that?” They advocate a course of action that should be taken.

12. How should someone who commits first-degree murder be dealt? Should the US government meddle in other country’s affairs?

13. ACTIVITY

14. SUPPORT/DATA This is any belief held by a receiver which may be used to support the claim. Support is useless if the receiver does not believe it.

15. Types of Support

16. Receiver Belief Something the receiver already believes IDEAL DATA

17. Source Credibility If the receiver sees the sources as being credible, then the source can make claims that function as assertions by a credible source.

18. Evidence from others Opinions and facts attest to by others Depends on source’s credibility and on the credibility of the source of the evidence. Easiest for Receiver to Reject

19. REASONING Receiver’s judgment of the extent to which the claim is supported by the types of support

20. SUPPORT CLAIM REASON

21. Audience Analysis

22. Where Am I From? 61% Somewhere in West Virginia -- Morgantown the most Popular answer What do I drive? 8.7 % -- Honda or Toyota

23. My Age? Average = 27.185 What is my political affiliation? 53% Republican 33.84 % Democrat

24. My Favorite Movie? 6.9% Forest Gump 3.84% Matrix My Past Jobs? 23.84% Worked at McDonalds 6.92% Waiter or Pizza Shop Delivery

25. My favorite Drink? 30.769% Pepsi 36.15% Coke My Religious Affiliation? 39.23% Catholic 18.46% Christian - Protestant

26. RESERVATIONS These are weaknesses in or exceptions to our argument. – the source knows that the claim might not hold true under all circumstances.

27. USING ARGUMENTS

28. Main Argument Start with a main claim or point you want to make. Supporting Arguments From that initial argument, others should follow which support it.

29. Have Enough Arguments Have enough arguments to overcome reservations. If you can’t overcome reservations – then the argument is too weak.