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How To Make An Argument
16 years ago
General
NaNo Novel: Here Falls The Thunder
After reading more than enough journals, and seeing a number of Youtube videos, and armed with my Bachelor's Degree in English, I realize that there's a startling number of people who try to put forth an "argument" for or against a certain point of view, but almost always go about it the wrong way. Some people don't even bother TRYING. This disappoints me to no end. And if this sounds a little elitist, IT IS. Don't claim that you're making a valid argument or statement for or against a viewpoint unless you're actually done your homework! I mean c'mon people, you were supposed to have learned this in English! It's part of how you write an argumentative essay! Did ANYONE remember this?!
Alright then, we'll do this step by step so you all remember:
1) What's the Point?
This is the reason why you're trying to make the argument in the first place. You're attempting to persuade people to like or dislike a viewpoint, or you're making a claim about a perspective on an issue. Without this, there's no argument at all. Most people have this step down pat, otherwise they wouldn't try to make a point at all. But the point does have to make sense. It's fine to take a stance, but if your stance can't be reinforced by any other steps in the process, then why are you doing it in the first place?
2) Back It Up!
Arguably the area in which everyone makes the more egregious errors. Alright, you're taking a stance on a issue. So, now you have to bring up some reasons why you're taking a stance on the issue. But, MOST importantly, you MUST have EVIDENCE to support your view! That's right, your argument won't stand up at all if your only support is that you think a certain way, therefore it's automatically correct. You need hard evidence.
Also, this evidence can NOT be based off of personal experience. Why is that? After all, you're making the point, shouldn't you have first-hand knowledge? Yes, but you're attempting to make a point and persuade others to consider your views. Since you've already taken a stance, anything you offer from personal experience is taken as biased, and therefore isn't objective. Unless the argument you're making is about your own personal habits or behaviors, personal experience should NEVER come into the picture.
Also, when using evidence, use ALL the evidence. If you find some evidence with strengthens your argument, but only in a certain context, you can NOT use it. It's like trying to equate a rise in the rate of violent crimes to the purchase of video games. Simply because the two events are occurring does NOT necessarily connect them. You can't pick and choose facts which only strengthen your argument if there's no context or basis for it.
3) Keep It In Your Pants, Shorty
When making your claim, do NOT use extreme language, especially if it's a topic in which you passionate take a certain stance, or the topic is controversial. The reason for this is, if your entire argument is made from the heat of anger, you don't appear objective or reasonable, in which case no one will want to take you seriously.
4) Acknowledge The Opposition
Almost EVERYONE I've ever seen making an argument fails this step miserably. When people want to make a claim, the natural thing to do is never mention your opposition, or to downplay anything and everything they might say that could potentially weaken your argument. But the KEY to making a persuasive argument is that you absolutely MUST consider possible counter-arguments.
Why? Because if you don't, then you're seen as biased, and you become unreliable. If you never consider the whole picture of the issue, than you're being narrow-minded. A lot of people seem to think that even making note of the existence of a counter-point as a sign of weakness in their statement. But nothing could be further from the truth.
Remember, you're only stating your point of view on the topic. By recognizing the flaws that might be inherent in your own argument, you don't come off as weakening your own statement. In fact, it makes you MORE persuasive. How so? Because you appear objective, reasonable, moderate. By considering the opposition, you can point out that "yes, these points could be correct" but you could always point out other evidence that counters those arguments as well.
5) Misquote And Die
Another egregious error. People who make arguments may be tempted to use partial facts or evidence, or to quote sources and ONLY quote what is relevant to you, and nothing else. DO. NOT. DO THIS. This is what's known as "academic dishonesty" If you do it in school, you can get in SERIOUS trouble. Outside of school, if people find out about this and see you doing it, you're liable to lose any and ALL credibility whenever making an argument ever. Really, just DON'T. DO IT. It's as bad as plagiarism.
There we go. Some good steps to making a decent argument! Remember, all things in moderation, and consider the WHOLE picture!
Alright then, we'll do this step by step so you all remember:
1) What's the Point?
This is the reason why you're trying to make the argument in the first place. You're attempting to persuade people to like or dislike a viewpoint, or you're making a claim about a perspective on an issue. Without this, there's no argument at all. Most people have this step down pat, otherwise they wouldn't try to make a point at all. But the point does have to make sense. It's fine to take a stance, but if your stance can't be reinforced by any other steps in the process, then why are you doing it in the first place?
2) Back It Up!
Arguably the area in which everyone makes the more egregious errors. Alright, you're taking a stance on a issue. So, now you have to bring up some reasons why you're taking a stance on the issue. But, MOST importantly, you MUST have EVIDENCE to support your view! That's right, your argument won't stand up at all if your only support is that you think a certain way, therefore it's automatically correct. You need hard evidence.
Also, this evidence can NOT be based off of personal experience. Why is that? After all, you're making the point, shouldn't you have first-hand knowledge? Yes, but you're attempting to make a point and persuade others to consider your views. Since you've already taken a stance, anything you offer from personal experience is taken as biased, and therefore isn't objective. Unless the argument you're making is about your own personal habits or behaviors, personal experience should NEVER come into the picture.
Also, when using evidence, use ALL the evidence. If you find some evidence with strengthens your argument, but only in a certain context, you can NOT use it. It's like trying to equate a rise in the rate of violent crimes to the purchase of video games. Simply because the two events are occurring does NOT necessarily connect them. You can't pick and choose facts which only strengthen your argument if there's no context or basis for it.
3) Keep It In Your Pants, Shorty
When making your claim, do NOT use extreme language, especially if it's a topic in which you passionate take a certain stance, or the topic is controversial. The reason for this is, if your entire argument is made from the heat of anger, you don't appear objective or reasonable, in which case no one will want to take you seriously.
4) Acknowledge The Opposition
Almost EVERYONE I've ever seen making an argument fails this step miserably. When people want to make a claim, the natural thing to do is never mention your opposition, or to downplay anything and everything they might say that could potentially weaken your argument. But the KEY to making a persuasive argument is that you absolutely MUST consider possible counter-arguments.
Why? Because if you don't, then you're seen as biased, and you become unreliable. If you never consider the whole picture of the issue, than you're being narrow-minded. A lot of people seem to think that even making note of the existence of a counter-point as a sign of weakness in their statement. But nothing could be further from the truth.
Remember, you're only stating your point of view on the topic. By recognizing the flaws that might be inherent in your own argument, you don't come off as weakening your own statement. In fact, it makes you MORE persuasive. How so? Because you appear objective, reasonable, moderate. By considering the opposition, you can point out that "yes, these points could be correct" but you could always point out other evidence that counters those arguments as well.
5) Misquote And Die
Another egregious error. People who make arguments may be tempted to use partial facts or evidence, or to quote sources and ONLY quote what is relevant to you, and nothing else. DO. NOT. DO THIS. This is what's known as "academic dishonesty" If you do it in school, you can get in SERIOUS trouble. Outside of school, if people find out about this and see you doing it, you're liable to lose any and ALL credibility whenever making an argument ever. Really, just DON'T. DO IT. It's as bad as plagiarism.
There we go. Some good steps to making a decent argument! Remember, all things in moderation, and consider the WHOLE picture!
But yeah, most people are lazy I think (even if subconsciously so). They don't want to write well thought out arguments, and even less want to consider the opposition as you said. I think the best way to come to a good conclusion is to find counter-arguments against the opinion you hold and overcome them. Simply saying 'This is right / wrong / how it is / should be / etc' doesn't say much. Most of the time, I see people just ignore counter-arguments in forum / board posts. Unless you have someone face to face there really isn't much you can do to challenge them on something like that.
I would say more but I am too lazy and don't making walls of text. xP
It would solve a LOT of our communication issues.
Bring facts, not excuses, very much agreed
Anywho, as I said, love your journal