[http://wolf.southwestern.cc.or.us/faculty/rsteffen/wr122/header.htm]

Argument of the Week

To be posted later...

 

Argument Resources

Stephen Toulmin

Logic Definitions

Argument: A Community Guide

At Southwestern Oregon Community College, students in Writing 122 accepted a challenge to answer a question, for themselves and for their classmates: How do you write a successful argument?

The result? A World Wide Web textbook focusing on the tools and methods of argument. To write the textbook on Argument: A Community Guide, the students researched three of the primary tools of argument:

  • Classical Argument as postulated by Aristotle
  • Rogerian Argument, based on the work of psychologist Carl Rogers and focusing on audience (and this concern for audience is echoed in new yet related style, labeled Practical Argumentation).
  • Toulmin's Elements of Argument, based on the work of philosopher Stephen Toulmin and focusing on the interplay of evidence, claim, and warrant

After studying and writing a guide to argument, the students applied these tools...writing arguments to resolve issues in their communities or their professions. For a sample of their arguments, browse a few of their arguments in the "Local Issues: Community and Professional" column to the left. And when facing an argument, apply the techniques outlined below.

-- Prof. Ron Steffens

Class Syllabus: WR 122, Winter 2000

Writing an Argument

To write a successful argument, you must remember that the goal is not to win your argument...but rather to begin and maintain a dialogue with your audience.

1) Find your subject. Brainstorm on issues concerning your community or possible profession.

For a few examples of how community and professional issues might inspire your subject...browse through a list of student-generated issues.

2) Choose an appropriate model for your argument

3) Draft your essay, focusing on your audience. Find a good editor and refocus and revise (and remember: avoid Logical Fallacies)

Page originally appeared at

[http://wolf.southwestern.cc.or.us/faculty/rsteffen/wr122/header.htm]

Argument of the Week

To be posted later...

 

Argument Resources

Stephen Toulmin

Logic Definitions

Argument: A Community Guide

At Southwestern Oregon Community College, students in Writing 122 accepted a challenge to answer a question, for themselves and for their classmates: How do you write a successful argument?

The result? A World Wide Web textbook focusing on the tools and methods of argument. To write the textbook on Argument: A Community Guide, the students researched three of the primary tools of argument:

  • Classical Argument as postulated by Aristotle
  • Rogerian Argument, based on the work of psychologist Carl Rogers and focusing on audience (and this concern for audience is echoed in new yet related style, labeled Practical Argumentation).
  • Toulmin's Elements of Argument, based on the work of philosopher Stephen Toulmin and focusing on the interplay of evidence, claim, and warrant

After studying and writing a guide to argument, the students applied these tools...writing arguments to resolve issues in their communities or their professions. For a sample of their arguments, browse a few of their arguments in the "Local Issues: Community and Professional" column to the left. And when facing an argument, apply the techniques outlined below.

-- Prof. Ron Steffens

Class Syllabus: WR 122, Winter 2000

Writing an Argument

To write a successful argument, you must remember that the goal is not to win your argument...but rather to begin and maintain a dialogue with your audience.

1) Find your subject. Brainstorm on issues concerning your community or possible profession.

For a few examples of how community and professional issues might inspire your subject...browse through a list of student-generated issues.

2) Choose an appropriate model for your argument

3) Draft your essay, focusing on your audience. Find a good editor and refocus and revise (and remember: avoid Logical Fallacies)

Page originally appeared at

[http://wolf.southwestern.cc.or.us/faculty/rsteffen/wr122/header.htm]

Argument of the Week

To be posted later...

 

Argument Resources

Stephen Toulmin

Logic Definitions

Argument: A Community Guide

At Southwestern Oregon Community College, students in Writing 122 accepted a challenge to answer a question, for themselves and for their classmates: How do you write a successful argument?

The result? A World Wide Web textbook focusing on the tools and methods of argument. To write the textbook on Argument: A Community Guide, the students researched three of the primary tools of argument:

  • Classical Argument as postulated by Aristotle
  • Rogerian Argument, based on the work of psychologist Carl Rogers and focusing on audience (and this concern for audience is echoed in new yet related style, labeled Practical Argumentation).
  • Toulmin's Elements of Argument, based on the work of philosopher Stephen Toulmin and focusing on the interplay of evidence, claim, and warrant

After studying and writing a guide to argument, the students applied these tools...writing arguments to resolve issues in their communities or their professions. For a sample of their arguments, browse a few of their arguments in the "Local Issues: Community and Professional" column to the left. And when facing an argument, apply the techniques outlined below.

-- Prof. Ron Steffens

Class Syllabus: WR 122, Winter 2000

Writing an Argument

To write a successful argument, you must remember that the goal is not to win your argument...but rather to begin and maintain a dialogue with your audience.

1) Find your subject. Brainstorm on issues concerning your community or possible profession.

For a few examples of how community and professional issues might inspire your subject...browse through a list of student-generated issues.

2) Choose an appropriate model for your argument

3) Draft your essay, focusing on your audience. Find a good editor and refocus and revise (and remember: avoid Logical Fallacies)

Page originally appeared at http://wolf.southwestern.cc.or.us/faculty/rsteffen/wr122/comarg/comarg.htm and was recovered using the Wayback Machine at http://www.archive.org.