Claims & Evidence
How can you tell the difference between strong evidence from weak evidence?
Strong evidence is relevant, verifiable, and credible. Weak evidence is irrelevant, unreliable, or biased.
Why is it important to consider your audience's values and beliefs when constructing an argument?
It improves arguments, reduces resistance, improves comprehension, develops agreement, and reflects ethical thinking.
What are the legal duties of a writer or speaker who presents scientific data?
To present data accurately and transparently, avoiding manipulation or misrepresentation.
What is the purpose of acknowledging counterarguments?
Acknowledging counterarguments demonstrates fairness, strengthens credibility, and allows for a more thorough examination of the issue.
What is the role of the thesis statement in argumentative writing?
The thesis statement presents the writer's main claim and provides a roadmap for the argument.
What role do expert opinions play as evidence, and how do you evaluate their credibility?
Expert opinions can provide strong support, but their credibility depends on factors like their field of knowledge, reputation, potential biases, and consistency with other evidence. Evaluation involves checking their credentials, publications, and potential conflicts of interest.
What are some strategies for identifying your target audience's potential biases?
How does the intent behind an argument influence its ethical evaluation?
Arguments intended to deceive or manipulate are unethical, even if they use sound reasoning.
How does a strong rebuttal address the core of a counterargument?
A strong rebuttal directly addresses the counterargument's central point, providing evidence or reasoning.
How do body paragraphs effectively support the thesis?
Body paragraphs provide evidence, reasoning, and examples that directly relate to and support the thesis statement.
How can data from studies change a misunderstanding of a claim?
Manipulation might include selective data presentation, the use of misleading graphs or charts, the selection of biased samples, or the ignoring of outliers. Understanding how statistics operate is important to avoiding being mislead.
How does understanding your audience help you establish common ground?
If your audience has limited prior knowledge, you'll need to provide more background information, define technical terms, and explain complex concepts in simpler terms.
What are the ethical implications of using emotionally manipulative language in an argument?
It can damage trust and create a climate of fear or anxiety.
How do you identify what is really going on in a counterargument?
Identifying assumptions involves thoroughly examining the counterargument's foundations, looking for hidden ideas or values that support its arguments. Asking "why" a point is made could reveal those assumptions.
What elements should a strong argumentative conclusion include?
A strong conclusion should Restate Your thesis/claim, summarize main points, and include your final thoughts on the topic.
How does the context of an argument influence the interpretation of evidence?
Context influences how evidence is viewed. The same piece of evidence may have multiple meanings based on the fundamental arguments, cultural background, or historical time.
What are the risks of making assumptions about your audience?
You might misjudge their prior knowledge, values, or beliefs, leading to ineffective or even offensive arguments.
What is the role of transparency in ethical argument?
It builds trust and credibility by revealing the sources of your information and the reasoning behind your arguments.
Explain the "principle of charity" in the context of addressing counterarguments
The principle of charity advocates understanding a counterargument in the strongest possible form, even if the opponent's wording is unclear. This enables a balanced and constructive conversation.
How does the introduction provide the context for an argumentative essay?
The introduction introduces the topic, provides background information, and establishes the writer's point of view, drawing the reader into the argument.
How can you detect hidden assumptions within a presented set of evidence?
Context influences how evidence is viewed. The same piece of evidence may have multiple meanings based on the fundamental arguments, cultural background, or historical time.
How does the context in which your argument is presented affect audience reception?
The setting, timing, and medium of communication can all influence how your argument is received.
How does the potential impact of your argument on individuals or society influence your ethical obligations?
Arguments with potentially harmful consequences require greater ethical scrutiny.
How do you address counterarguments that rely on emotional appeals?
Recognize the emotional appeal, but keep the conversation on logical reasoning and evidence that is true. Show how the emotional appeal may be false or unrelated to the fundamental problem.
How can paragraph transitions help to maintain an argument's logic?
Transitions provide a smooth flow of ideas, connecting paragraphs and showing the logical relationship between them. They help the reader follow the argument's progress.