Page 2 - 2023-bfw-TLC-4e

Argument

ave you ever changed your mind about something? What caused you to re- examine
Ha belief or an idea? Most likely, you read or heard someone else’s perspective that
challenged you to think about an issue in a different way. It might have been a clear,
thoughtful presentation of information, a personal story that tugged at your conscience,
a startling statistic, or even a bit of humor or satire that presented a familiar issue in a
new and enlightening way. It’s less likely that you were bullied into reconsidering your Section 1
opinion by a loud voice that belittled your ideas.
By carefully and respectfully reading the viewpoints of others and considering a
range of ideas on an issue, we develop a clearer understanding of our own beliefs — a
necessary foundation to writing effective arguments. In this chapter, we will analyze ele-
ments of argument as a means of critical thinking and as an essential step toward craft-
ing argument essays.

What Is Argument?

Although we discussed argument in the previous chapter, the focus was primarily on the
rhetorical situation, rhetorical appeals, and style. We’ll continue examining those ele-
ments, but here we take a closer look at an argument’s claim, evidence, reasoning, and
organization.
Let’s start with some definitions. What is argument? Is it a conflict? A contest
between opposing forces to prove the other side wrong? A battle with words? When

done well, and civilly, argument is a process of reasoned inquiry and rational dis-
course seeking common ground. We engage in argument whenever we explore ideas
reasonably and think clearly about the world. Yet these days argument is often thought

59

Uncorrected proofs have been used in this sample. Copyright © Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers.
Distributed by Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers.
For review purposes only. Not for redistribution.
03_sheatlc4e_40925_ch02_058_111_4pp.indd 59 8/9/22 2:54 PM