Week 7, Day 2: Chapter 18 - The Argument Essay

 Argument Essay

·       First identify the premises and conclusion of the argument in the prompt

·       Then locate the hidden assumptions and think of their weaknesses and how you could strengthen the argument to deal with those weaknesses

 

Common types of arguments used:

·       Sampling arguments

o   Rely on the assumption that the sample group in the premises accurately represents the larger population in the conclusion

o   Usually look like: company A did x, so company B should, too; or town A did x, so State A should, also.

o   The problem: most samples have some sort of bias; that means they unintentionally leave out important groups (structural critique)

o   Another problem: samples conducted by survey may have not asked important questions (content critique)

o   Solution: always to increase the sample size, possibly adding more questions to the survey, etc.

·       Analogy arguments

o   Rely on the assumption that one similarity in the premises proves a further similarity in the conclusion

o   Usually look like: company/town/school A is like company/town/school B in x way(s), so they will be alike in y way(s), too

o   The problem: not all similarities are relevant to each other (structural critique)

o   Another problem: important dissimilarities exist (content critique)

o   Solution: always to increase evidence of relevant similarities, possibly addressing relevant dissimilarities

·       Causal arguments

o   Rely on the assumption that there are no other possible causes

o   Usually look like: x caused y, so to prevent y we need to stop x

o   The problem: other causes are possible (structural critique)

o   Another problem: correlation is not causation (content critique)

o   Solution: demonstrate the absence of other possible causes, possibly addressing how the relationship is not merely correlation

·       Always: critique both structure and content if you can! In other words: there is not enough evidence and the evidence is not good quality

 

Process:

·       Read the argument, identify premises and conclusion

·       Locate assumptions, brainstorm weaknesses

·       Pick three or four of the biggest weaknesses to attack and improve

·       Outline

·       Write

·       Edit

Template 1:

·       Introduction

o   Restate argument from prompt

o   Note a minor issue

o   Thesis statement: “The argument as stated is weak because it relies too heavily on assumptions/it has the following holes in its reasoning/there are several logical flaws…”

·       Body Paragraph 1

o   Discuss the connection between the premises and conclusion

o   Note what assumptions the argument is making

o   Note why these assumptions are problematic

·       Body Paragraph 2

o   State that these assumptions lead to three or four major logical errors

o   Discuss each logical error separately

·       Body Paragraph 3

o   State that these errors can be corrected

o   Offer a correction for each error separately

·       Conclusion

o   Summarize the flaws and solutions

o   Conclude with a strong rephrase of the thesis

 

Template 2:

·       Introduction

o   Restate argument from prompt

o   Thesis statement

·       Body Paragraph 1

o   State the first flaw

o   Solve the flaw

·       Body Paragraph 2

o   State the second flaw

o   Solve the flaw

·       Body Paragraph 3

o   State the third flaw

o   Solve the flaw

·       Conclusion

o   Summarize the flaws and solutions

o   Conclude with a strong rephrase of the thesis