- Rabbits make good pets because they are gentle.
- Buy this stereo system because it has a powerful amplifier.
- Drugs should not be legalized because legalization would greatly increase the number of drug addicts.
- Cocaine and heroin should be legalized because legalization would eliminate the black market in drugs.
- Welfare benefits for unwed mothers should be eliminated because doing so will greatly reduce the nation’s illegitimacy rate.
- Welfare benefits for unwed mothers should not be eliminated because these benefits are needed to prevent unbearable poverty among our nation’s most helpless citizens.
- We should strengthen the Endangered Species Act because doing so will preserve genetic diversity on the planet.
- The Endangered Species Act is too stringent because it severely damages the economy.
Argumentative structure: Today we'll learn more about how to strengthen our arguments structurally by including not only a claim and reason, but also grounds, warrant and backing. Here is a sample argument analysis.
Argumentative Workshop Part 2: Revisit your argument. Plan your argument by listing all the elements you plan to use. You may have to do some research to find grounds for your reasons and backing for your warrant. Assemble your plan in outline form.
Note: you may have more than 2 reasons, and you may have more than one warrant. Try to anticipate all objections to your argument.
1. Issue Question:
2. Your Claim:
3. Warrant:
4. Reason 1:
5. Grounds 1:
6. Reason 2:
7. Grounds 2:
8. Backing:
9. Conditions for rebuttal
For reasons and grounds:
For warrant and backing:
Reminder: There will be no class Thursday, September 30 or Tuesday, October 5 for conferences. Be sure that you turn in your contract materials to dropbox at least 48 hours BEFORE your scheduled conference time.
