16 Feb Argument Essay
Order Instructions
Using one of the essays from this module and your knowledge of eight different methods of fashioning arguments, write a 600-750 word essay detailing the method of argument your chosen essay employs. To ensure that you do not misunderstand the assignment, you are to choose one essay from those you read, and argue in your essay that the chosen essay is using ________ type of argumentation. If you have questions regarding your thesis, please contact me before the paper is due.
I’ll send the essay that I chose
No sources
Niccolo Machiavelli’s “The Morals of the Prince” in the Norton Reader, pgs. 360-363, or linked here
http://www.umphrey.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Machiavellei-The-Morals-of-the-Prince.pdf
must use one of these
Arguing from personal experience: This is most akin to narrative and is also one of the weakest arguments. That friend of yours who always has bad things happen to them? This is the type of argument they are making.
Arguing from factual evidence: This is one of the easiest ways to argue and it is also a stronger argument. If you have a friend that starts sentences with, “Well, actually…” then you probably know someone who argues from factual evidence.
Correcting popular misconceptions: This is close to arguing from evidence, but the purpose is slightly different. In the former, you are attempting to convince people of the truth of something. In this one, you are trying to point out why something is not true.
Countering other arguments: This type of argument is based around pointing out the logical inconsistencies in another argument. If no one argued or presented ideas, then there would not be a need for this. However, this is significantly more than “did not, did too.” If you countering an argument, you have to analyze it critically and be able to discuss why they are wrong or mistaken.
Arguing from personal authority and expertise: This is different from personal experience in that the person making the argument has a reason to know what they are saying is accurate. Jeff Foxworthy making an argument about the Space and Rocket Center in Alabama is not a position of expertise. Someone from NASA discussing why Alabama has the Space and Rocket Center is someone speaking from personal expertise.
Arguing with humor, irony, and satire: This is nearly a lost art. Although, some of the stories you will read will approach their argument from this perspective. People who argue like this tend to make their points so ridiculous that you have to think about the opposite viewpoint. Editorial cartoons are often arguing from this perspective.
Urging changes in public policy: This type of argument is indicated by the purpose of the argument rather than by the content of it. If the goal of the argument is to change public policy in some way, no matter the method, then it is also this type of argument. This is commonly combined with humor and satire.
Finding common ground: The purpose of this argument is to point out the flaws on both sides and attempt to address some of the things that might be consistent in both sides.
Arguments can be many of these, but attempt to find the primary version of the argument.
