Eh 124 Spring 2011: Week Five Class Two

Homework Review: (Suggested: 10 Minutes)

Your homework for today was to write a one-page blog post on the four kinds of arguments.

Here is what you said:

Example One:

An example of an argument of this type would have to be one that is based solely on facts, with little or no personal views put into it. The argument that water quenches thirst would be one of these examples. It is a fact that water gives us the moisture we need, therefore it is reasonable to say that it quenches thirst. This is a fact, making the example a factual argument.

Example Two:

Opinion Based Argument:
An opinion based argument is the second best type of argument because it uses facts still, but also includes some personal opinions. An example of an opinion based argument is when I look at the weather forecast for the next day and see that there is 90% chance of heavy snow I can take that fact and make the argument that there will not be school the next day. This is a claim that I believe the weather will be too treacherous for school to be in session but, it is based on the statistic that there is a very high percent of chance that it will snow the next day.

Example Three:

Belief:
An argument based on beliefs is typically one to avoid, since it is supported by judgments not based on facts. Belief based arguments are an example of ethos, meaning it is stemmed from emotions and personal connections. An example of a belief argument would be religion- two different people with two different religious “beliefs” are not likely to get anywhere in their argument because each individual is likely to stick to their own beliefs, even if they consider the other person’s point of view.

Journal Assignment:  (Suggested: 10 Minutes)

Describe one fact-based, one opinion-based, one belief-based, and one prejudice-based argument you hold to be true? Describe each in terms of its evident pathos, ethos, or logos.

Group Discussion: (Suggested: 5-10 Minutes)

Share your findings. The reporter will present one example from each category from the group to the class.

Group Presentations: (Suggested: 5-10)

Class Discussion: (Suggested: 5-10 Minutes)

Précis Discussion: (Suggested: 10 Minutes)

1)      Paragraph Structure

2)      Evidence

3)      Specificity

Revise for Friday, final submission.