Download Argument Structures

Do Now
 Answer #s 1, 4, 5, and 7 of Exercise 2 on the “Grammar as
Rhetoric: Appositives” packet you were given yesterday.
 Kennedy, a wiry fifty-nine-year-old who has a stern buzz-cut,
was in 1997 the principal of Sarasota High School.
Grammar as Rhetoric: Appositives
 1. Several West African countries—Nigeria, Ghana, Benin,
Cameroon, and Togo—were at some time in their history
under colonial rule. (The dashes set off a series that would be
confusing if only commas were used)
 4. The fifth canon of rhetoric, style, includes a writer’s
choices of diction and syntax. (The commas are appropriate
because the single word interrupts the flow of the sentence.)
Grammar as Rhetoric: Appositives
 5. One of our most popular poets, Billy Collins, is also one of
our most gifted. (The commas set off the proper noun appositive)
 7. The rewards of hard work—both physical and mental—
are often intangible. (The dashes seem more appropriate because
the word “both” indicates emphasis, but commas would not be wrong)
Argument Structures
Review: What is an argument?
 An argument is a verbal, visual, or multi-media text that
attempts to convince an audience to think or act differently.
What is a text structure?
 A text structure is the order of major elements of an
argument. It is the bones on which a written or oral
argument is built.
 For example, a common text structure is the five
paragraph essay. This includes an introduction, a body, and
a conclusion.
Structures for Argument
 Classical Oration (Declaration of Independence)
 Rogerian Argument (inspired by psychologist Carl Rogers)
 Toulmin Argument
Classical Oration
 1. Introduction (exordium)
 2. Narration (narratio)
 3. Confirmation (confirmatio)
 4. Refutation (refutatio)
 5. Conclusion (peroratio)
Introduction (Exordium)
 Introduces the reader to subject under discussion.
 Exordium means “beginning a web”
 Draws the reader into the text by piquing their interest,
challenging them, or otherwise getting their attention.
 This is a good place to establish ethos.
Introduction (Exordium)
 When in the Course of human events, it becomes
 necessary for one people to dissolve the political
 bands which have connected them with another,
 and to assume among the powers of the earth, the
 separate and equal station to which the Laws of
 N ature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent
 respect to the opinions of mankind requires that
 they should declare the causes which impel them
 to the separation.
Narration
 Provides factual information and background material
 Establishes why the subject is a problem
 Often appeals to pathos
Narration
 But when a long train of abuses and usurpations,
pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a
design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it
is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such
Government and to provide new Guards for their
future security.— Such has been the patient
sufferance of these Colonies…
Confirmation
 Major part of the text
 Nuts and bolts of the writer’s case
 Specific and concrete detail
 Usually makes the strongest appeal to logos
Confirmation
 The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history
of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct
object the establishment of an absolute Tyanny over these
States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid
world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and
necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and
pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his
Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has
utterly neglected to attend to them.
Refutation
 Addresses and refutes the counterargument
 Logos
Refutation
 In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for
Redress in the most humble terms…
 Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British
brethren. We have warned them…We have reminded
them…We have appealed to their native justice…
Conclusion
 Brings the essay to a satisfying close
 Pathos
 Reminds the reader of earlier appeals to ethos
 Answer the question, so what?
Conclusion
 We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of
America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the
Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our
intentions, do, in the Name, and by the Authority of the good
people of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That
these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and
Independent States…
Assignment
 In pairs, read and label the text, “Nor by Math Alone,” with
the five parts of the Classical Oration.
FCAs for Film Review
 1. Using mentor texts, decide on a text structure appropriate
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for your review. (25 pts)
2. Use evaluative criteria and give specific examples of how
the movie either met or missed the criteria. (50 pts)
3. Choose one sentence from a mentor text and write an
imitation of it to include in your review. Highlight in blue.
(25 pts)
1. text structure based on mentor texts 25 pts
2. examples of evaluative criteria 50 pts
3. imitation sentence from mentor text
(highlighted) 25 pts