Mid-Quarter Oral Exam

1. The title of the book Everything’s An Argument is more than just a snappy phrase because it symbolizes the authors’ opinions. All language, whether written or spoken, visual or textual is influenced. For instance, the poster of Rosie the Riveter shows a strong woman saying “We Can Do It” to influence women to work in factories creating war supplies in World War II.

2. Language is also a human activity that is used to be spoken because of the many goals and purposes of people. Besides language being a human activity, language is also a form of symbolic action for it aids things to be done in the world and it acts on people and situations.  A weaker version of a language as a symbolic action claims simply that language has effects in the world or that people use language to accomplish day-to-day communication. On the contrary a stronger version of a language as a symbolic action claims, holding with Bourdieu and Burke, that all language is a form of argument; people use language to create identification between themselves and their audience. Production of an analysis of language in this model require not just reason but also all the sensory faculties and an awareness of the rhetor’s and the audience’s history and experiences. This bourdieuian and Burkeian definition of language makes apparently simple activities – saying hello to another human, chatting with friends, reading the newspaper, etc into scenes of argument. An example would be someone who believes language is simply a tool to use in communication exhibits the weak version of language, whereas developing rhetors in this class who know that language is also a form of argument exhibits the strong version of language as a symbolic action.

3. Aristotle, a Greek philosopher and a scientist, developed a “system” of the purposes of arguments based on time: the past, present and future. These arguments are created for suggesting strategies for making convincing cases. Arguments include those about the past with implications for the future, and those about the future with bearings on the present. Aristotle creates three ways that writers can demand to their audiences in arguments. First, Pathos – these are arguments from the heart, and has strong connection to one’s emotions. An example of this would be showing people a happy, retired couple living in a retirement home depicting that those of the older generation would enjoy the spending the rest of their lives in a retirement home. Second, Ethos – arguments based on the author’s character. For instance, establishing the writer’s knowledge about a topic so he/she presents a perfect illustration on a topic he/she tries to explain. Lastly, Logos – arguments based on facts and reason. An example would be providing historical evidence on a painting created by Van Gogh.

4. Arguments aim to discover truth in a unique way, using logical and credible explanations. An argument of this sort leads adiences toward conviction or an agreement whether an argument is true or reasonable. For instance, an argument about electric cars saves money and therefore, is better for our economy. This argument’s purpose is to determine whether the claim about electric cars help save money is valid and true.

5.  On the other hand, persuasion’s aim is to change a point of view or to move others from conviction to action. Writers persuade when they believe they already know the truth. N example of persuasion is an essay convincing people to vote against a proposition.

6. “Arguing isn’t always about winning” is a referral to invitational arguments. This type of argument aims to invite people to a mutual stand. An example of this would be compromising and thinking of ways to solve the issue of hunger in the world.

7. A Rogerian argument, named after psychotherapist Carl Rogers, is based on finding the common group and establishing trust among and those who disagree about issues and on approaching audiences in nonthreatening ways. Writers who follow this approach seek to understand the opposing side to provide win/win solutions. For instance, those who agree that bike lanes should be uniformly enforced in California look over the costs and benefits of those who disagree that bike lanes should be uniformly enforced in the state.

8. Stephen Toulmin, a British philosopher and educator, developed methods that accurately describe the process of making resounding arguments. First, arguments must begin with claims that are debatable and controversial. Second, claims must contain supported reasons. Third, claims must be logical and crediable. Fourth, there must be “backing” or evidences are “backed up”. Fifth, the arguments must have words that place limits on claims. Lastly, a writer must understand and have a rebuttal to some objections to an argument. For instance, a proposal that contains proper evidences and rebuttal would be considered a reasonable argument.

9. The Stasis Theory is a system of arguments based on the kinds of issues they address. The system is composed of categories such as facts, definition, and evaluation and proposal arguments.

10. The classical argument was first introduced to Greek farmers for appealing their cases to Greek courts in fifth century B.C. This classical argument has stood as a model for writers who believe their case should be argued logically and plausibly to an open-minded audience. The five constituent elements of the Aristotelian Classical Argumentative Rhetoric: First, introduction; its purposes are to capture the audience’ interest, establishing the audience’ perception as a writer, and showing the point of view of the argument. Second, the narration where relevant background material in the argument provided. Third, the confirmation, where the author states why they believe in their thesis. Fourth, the reformation/concession where the author focuses on the opposing points of the writer’s claims. And the summation, where the author provides a well-developed conclusion. One example that shows the usage of the classical argument is the Ebonics title “Ebonics: Beneficial for the Students of the United States”.