Module 1 Lecture

Lecture #1 What is Argument? (Chapter 1)

When most people hear the word argument, they think of a fight or a quarrel. Boyfriends "argue" with girlfriends, teenagers "argue" with parents, and lawyers "argue" with each other on behalf of their clients. This view of argument is actually false. Nor is an argument a pro/con debate. Saying one side of an issue is right and another is wrong, fails to see argument for what it is: "it is a creative and productive activity that engages us at high levels of inquiry and critical thinking, often in conversation with persons we like and respect" (4). The first chapter in our text examines the ways we think about arguments and explains the requirements of a legitimate, academic argument.

The text refers to three "defining features" of argument. They are:

1. Argument requires justification of its claims.

This means that arguments occur in the realm of controversy wherein an issue is examined from all sides, and defenders of a position will appeal to reason to solve the controversy. The arguer will hold assumptions about the validity of the claim and the support.

2. Argument is both a process and a product.

The term argument is used to refer to the action of seeking a solution to a problem by examining a claim and supporting it (process); and, the term is also used to refer to the finished piece, especially in writing, or one’s opinion at any given moment in a conversation (product).

3. Argument combines truth-seeking and persuasion

In the example of a continuum, truth-seeking is looking at all sides of the issue, laying out the possibilities for solution, and allowing the reader to decide the outcome. At the other end, persuasion is pure propaganda, trying to convince an audience at all costs, even through manipulation of the facts and data. Legitimate arguments occur somewhere in the middle of the continuum, utilizing truth-seeking and persuasion. See page 11.

The question of truth is very important to the study of argument. What is "true" could be examined and debated and even proven "untrue." In the text's example of Socrates and the Sophists, Socrates believed that truth seeking over persuading for the sake of arguing was more valuable. He believed that the "higher Truth" could be discovered through philosophic inquiry. The Sophists were not trustworthy in Socrates' view because of their desire to persuade for the serving of their best interests and not for truth. Today, the concept of arguing to persuade, the Sophists philosophy, is most common. See the example on p. 13. For the purposes of our study, and in conjunction with the text, "….For us, truth seeking means taking responsibility for determining the 'best answer' or 'best solution' to the question for the good of the whole community when taking into consideration the interests of all stakeholders. It means making hard decisions in the face of uncertainty. This more tentative view of truth means that you cannot use argument to 'prove' your claim, but only to make a reasonable case for your claim" ( 14). Pay careful attention to the definition of truth at the bottom of page 14.

The five Strategies for Reading Arguments (Chapter 2) on p. 22 are important for all reading of arguments, especially this week’s assignment.

1. Reading as a Believer

This method is reading to summarize

2. Reading as a Doubter

This method asks you to analyze, question, and apply your beliefs to make meaning of the reading.

3. Exploring How Rhetorical context and Genre Shape the Argument.

This method points out forums in which people argue and asks you to question the context in which the arguments are formed and helps you to form your opinion.

4. Seeking Out Alternative Views and Analyzing Sources of Disagreement

This method requires that you examine both sides effectively and take a position based on your values, evaluation, and assumptions.

5. Using Disagreement Productively to Prompt Further Investigation

This method asks you to question and think when two sides of an issue provide compelling arguments

Response Paper #1 (Due May 23 midnight)

Your response paper should be typed, double-spaced, following the conventions of MLA documentation including the appropriate heading and parenthetical citations. For more information about MLA see the following link:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/01/

This is Purdue University's online writing lab, and it includes many pages on how to accurately cite your sources in the text of your paper and in the Works Cited page. Also see:

http://www.mla.org/

Click on the "MLA Style" link for more information. Look within the text in the first paragraph and click on Frequently Asked Questions. Here many of your questions may be answered.
Type your paper in a word processing program, preferably Microsoft Word. Send it to me in an email as a file attachment. Remember to include your name and class ticket number in the subject line of the email and let me know what assignment you are sending in the text of the message. Your summary should be between 300-500 words.

Write a summary of "Ten Reasons Why Biotechnology Will Not Ensure Food Security, Protect the Environment, and Reduce Poverty in the Developing World" by Miguel A. Altieri and Peter Rosset p. 593

Before you begin writing, reread Chapter 2 pages 22-49. Pay careful attention to Writing as a Believer. Your summary requires that you just summarize the main issues in the reading.