Tuesday, February 24 2009
January 10, 2009
Today’s Agenda
Over the past week, you have done the following work for this course:
1) You wrote a one to one-and-a-half page synthesis of Hertgaard’s article that uses quotes or evidence from D’Souza and one other source of your choosing. This source needs to be addressing the reasons for contemporary American foreign policy. I suggested that you search for sources by considering mainstream publications like Time, Newsweek, or US News and World Report.
I read those papers and got back to you about them on FRIDAY, some of you earlier because you sent them to me earlier.
For today, you had a slightly more complex assignment:
2) After reading and responding to my comments on your synthesis, you were to include your synthesis of Hertsgaard, D’Souza, and one other source into your analysis and evaluation of “The Oblivious Empire.”
3) After you included this new section to your paper, you re-wrote the draft so that it became an argument: that is, it argues a _specific_ point about Hertsgaard’s “The Oblivious Empire” AS YOU WRITE THIS ARGUMENT, BE AWARE OF THE VERY IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN USING SOMEONE’S WRITING AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO STATE YOUR OWN OPINION AND USING SOMEONE’S WRITING AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND DIRECTLY TO THAT WRITING. I WANT YOU TO DO THE LATTER, NOT THE FORMER.
3) You have e-mailed me this argument, and are here today with three copies of the document to share and workshop with your peers.
Okay, let’s begin today with the following assignment:
On the back of one of the copies of your argument draft, I want you to write about the following:
How did you go about synthesizing Hertsgaard’s claims and evidence with claims and evidence from D’Souza and one other source? What was your reasoning? How did you uses these various sources, and for what purpose (10 mins)?
Group Discussion (5 mins)
Class Discussion (5 mins)
For today, you were challenged to draft an argument, which many of you may have found difficult, as we have not yet talked about what an argument is.
We did not talk about this in class on purpose, as I wanted you to attempt to come up with your own answers to those questions before we worked together as a class.
So let’s begin today by having you turn over one of those drafts. We are going to be writing for the next ten minutes on the following topic. What is an argument? What is the point of an argument? How did you transform your analysis, evaluation and synthesis into an argument? (10 Mins)
Group Discussion (5 mins)
Class Discussion (5 mins)
Workshop
1) Thesis
2) Supporting evidence
3) Good explanation of how your evidence supports your thesis.
Workshop
Step 1: Content Check: Isolate and identify the specific transitions the author uses to move you from his or her analysis to evaluation, and from his or her evaluation to synthesis. If you cannot identify these transitions, or if the transitions need more work to be effective, let the author know.
Mechanics Check: Basic paragraph structure check: Does every paragraph 1) fall between 6-8 sentences, and 2) Contain at least one quote (paragraphs in the synthesis section should have a minimum of two quotes)
When you finish reading, write a paragraph on the back that explains what you think the argument is, based on your reading. Is it clear? Can you identify a specific thesis? If so, what is, and can you quote it directly?
Homework:
I am going to be changing the homework a bit so that you do not have any work for me over the break. If this is a problem for anyone, simply let me know, and I can make the Tuesday of break your deadline, though I suspect no one wants to be working over the first 4 days of break, and there really is not enough work here to keep you busy until then anyway.
For Wednesday at close of business:
Read Chapter 6, identify what a Toulmin argument is and explain how you are going to transform your current argument into a Toulmin argument in a 1.5 page blog post.
For Friday (or Tuesday, if you want, but no later than Tuesday at close of business)
Transform your argument into a Toulmin argument. This will mean restructuring your paragraphs and making sure that they all have make a CLAIM have EVIDENCE and that the claim and evidence are connected with a WARRANT (these terms are addressed in the book).[I would STRONGLY SUGGEST STOPPING BY MY OFFICE HOURS THIS WEEK TO DISCUSS THIS WITH ME, AS IT IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE TO E-MAIL WHEN THE DOCUMENT IS DUE AND SAY "I DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO."]
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[...] Tuesday, Feb 24 [...]
Nate Adams
2-24-09
Rhetoric and Composition II
Toulmin Argument
A Toulmin Argument was developed by a British Philosopher in the 1950’s. He decided to come up with an outline and on how to write a paper that supports claims and evidence. I will be transforming my paper into a Toulmin Argument paper, making claims, with evidence and reasons, along with warrants. I will also be backing my information with statements and quotes from the three authors and articles I have been assigned to. With the claims that I make, I will have backing information supporting my claim. A Toulmin Argument also includes an analysis period where you analyze the authors statements and claims, and then find reasons of why or why not to support this statement. I will incorporate my opinions, as well as the other author’s opinions in my own paper to help the reader understand which side of the issue that I and the other three authors are on.
I am going to transform my current paper into a Toulmin Argument by chopping down the unnecessary information that is not as well presented with backing information. My paper will be 3-4 pages long, and each paragraph will have 2 quotes from the two articles, The Oblivious Empire and American the Beautiful: What We’re Fighting For. I will also include my other source from the internet that I found on Newsday.com. I will take direct quotes from D’Souza’s article, along with backing information from him to help me go against what Hertsgaard has said. I agree with some of the information that Hertsgaard has presented, but a lot of the quotes that I have used in my previous papers I have challenged him on. So I will use direct quotes from my other 2 sources to help build a strong case against Hertsgaard.
I will also use facts that have happened in past U.S history to build a case against Hertsgaard. He goes against the United States in an issue, but I comeback with a fact that if the United States didn’t do this certain thing, then it would have led to another Adolf Hitler, and started a war. I have also challenged Hertsgaard with his statements after his quotes. He uses quotes to explain why other countries hate America and backs this with his own opinions, so I have the right to express my opinion of why exactly other countries hate America.
I will incorporate a lot of quotes from the other two authors to help build a solid foundation of facts that go against what Hertsgaard has said. I will back up a lot of information with true facts, and reasoning from the other authors. I will analyze Hertsgaard’s claims, and think of a way to approach his statements with clear evidence, and evidence that has backing information.
Julie
Rhetoric and Composition
2.24.2009
Toulmin Approach
What is a Toulmin Argument? A Toulmin argument is an outline for writing an argument. A British Philosopher came up with the way of writing in the 1950’s. This outline or “skeleton” includes many parts to it. The main parts are claims and evidence. It works out to be a pattern. Every paragraph will have a claim, then evidence and warrant. The paragraph will have an introduction, then a quote that supports what the author is trying to say followed by an explanation of the meaning of the quote.
In rewriting the argument in toulmin form I believe that it will help organize the argument. Right now there are some repetitive parts. There are parts that do not play a role in the argument any more. Then other parts that need to be added to the argument. I believe that starting with the background will help to understand the argument. Have three paragraphs, one summarizing Hertsgaard, with a quote backing it up. Then another paragraph that summarizes D’Sousa’s views and a quote that backs up his thoughts. Lastly I will bring in the outside source and give a summary of his views along with a quote.
Then set up the skeleton or the claims and warrants of the paper. This will be the thesis of bother authors. There will be one paragraph for each author. Like the synthesis it will be based on the Hertsgaards views and compared and contrasted with the other authors. Each paragraph will be outlined as fallowed. Claim of the author (putting claims and reason together) . Add qualifiers this will help add limits to the claim. Then introduce the quote that I will use to back up the author. Then add a Warrant the warrant will be answering the question, how exactly do I get from the claim to the data? Then next comes the backing. This is supports the warrant.
Melissa Breton
February 25, 2009
Toulmin argument
There are all different kinds of arguments. The Toulmin argument focuses on identifying the basic parts of an argument. In a Toulmin argument there are six parts. These six parts will help you come up with ideas that you will be able to test. The parts are called claim, qualifier, good reasons, warrants, backing and conditions of rebuttal. There are many of ways you can transform Hertsgaard’s piece “The Oblivious Empire.” into a Toulmin argument.
The claim is the conclusion of the argument. A claim should use logic or evidence, its how you build the argument. The good reason is the reason behind the claim. Here you find supporting evidence that backs up the claims, it could be facts or even quotes. The warrant connects the good reason and the claim together. This gives you authority to proceed with your argument. The backing, backs up the warrant. The qualifier are words or phrases that can place limits on certain claims. Some examples of those would be few, it may be, sometimes and most. The conditions of Rebuttal shows that you are aware of opposing points of view.
To transform Hertsgaard’s piece into a Toulmin argument I would need to identify all six parts of the Toulmin argument. Also I would need to take out all the pieces that didn’t fit. From here, I would need to back up good reasons from Hertsgaard’s text that supports the claim. After the claim I would find a warrant to connect the good claims and warrants together. All the other information I already have would back up my warrant. In some places, I would need to use qualifiers, in some of the areas I am not talking about all countries or all Americans. By using some, many, in some cases, it would eliminate me talking about the whole population or area. To show the conditions of Rebuttal, I would be able to keep the other Authors pieces, this shows different points of view from different authors.
Tiffany L.
2/24/09
Toulmin Argument
A toulmin is an argument that was named after a British philosopher Stephen Toulmin. It is an argument that takes into consideration the complications that you experience in life. The toulmin logic has become a very powerful, and practical tool that is used for understanding and shaping an argument.
To transform my current argument into a toulmin argument, I’m going to first cut out paragraphs that have redundant information, so that my argument doesn’t keep using the same information. I’m also going to cut out the things that aren’t as important as other things in the argument, for example take the least important information, and take them out, leaving the more strong, more worthy, and important information that is necessary in my argument.
When starting to transform my argument into a toulmin argument, I’m going to begin with using the claims that I’m trying to prove, by using direct quotes from Hertsgaard‘s, D’Souza‘s, and the other author of my choice’s article, to help back up the claims, and the argument that I’m trying to make. To help prove my argument I’m going to add more quotes to each paragraph so that each paragraph has two quotes at the minimum to support the claims. In the paragraphs as well, I’m going to use more than one autor’s quotes instead of using quotes from one author in each paragraph. Along with quotes, I’m going to put good specific evidence in my argument to back up, and support my claims, so when the reader questions my statement they will know that my evidence that I’m providing really supports the claim.
In my argument I’m going to use the quotes, and evidence from D’Souza, and my other source to build an argument, that goes against what Hertsgaard states in his article called “The Oblivious Empire”. He believes that America is bad, but I’m going to prove that America is good by using good evidence, and quotes made by D’Souza, and my other source to help back up my argument.
In my argument I will include many quotes from the D’Souza, Hertsgaard, and my other source to help support my argument against Hertsgaard. I will back up the claims with solid facts, and the logic of D’Souza, and my other source. I will also examine the claims that were made by Hertsgaard in his article, and come up with a way to argue it, by using solid facts, and evidence that will support my argument.
Kezzie Webber
Toulmin Argument
The strategies of a Toulmin argument were introduced by British philosopher Stephen Toulmin. He wanted to find a way to accurately describe the way we make convincing and reasonable arguments. His strategy has become a practical tool for creating and understanding an argument. It is said that a person can acquire good critical thinking skills when you think in Toulmin terms.
The Toulmin strategy says the main parts are the claims and evidence. You begin your argument with a claim. This is the point you are trying to prove. Your claims depend of your audience or readers. Claims that are worth arguing are controversial. You have to support the claim with evidence. Also, you then use a warrant; informs readers your often unstated assumptions. A singular paragraph will have an introduction, then a quote supporting what the author is trying to say, then an explanation of what the author is trying to say.
I feel that rewriting my argument in Toulmin form will make it much more organized. It seems to be a bit repetitive so I will need to remove some unnecessary information and plug in some more needed information. I believe I should give background information on all of my sources which includes Hertsgaard, D’ Souza, and John Kerry. This should give people a better understanding of the direct quotes and their source. I will then state each person’s claim and summarize their thoughts. These will each be in separate paragraphs. I will then use direct quotes from D’ Souza and John Kerry to go against Hertsgaard’s claim.
As I am writing I will remember not to build my own opinion on these authors’ opinions. I will simply analyze what Hertsgaard is saying then use the reasoning from the other sources to prove him wrong. I will also use actual facts when needed to better prove him wrong.
25th February, 2009
Eh 124
Toulmin
Toulmin argument was introduced by British philosopher Stephen Toulmin in 1958. This type of argument has several parts to it, which helps people to make convincing and reasonable arguments. The parts are: making claims, determining warrants, evidence, using qualifiers, understanding conditions of rebuttal.
In transforming my current argument into a Toulmin argument, i will incorporate the different parts in a Toulmin argument to it. By doing this, I will begin every paragraph with a claim that uses logic, evidence, and facts from my sources. Some of the evidences I will be using are quotes from my different sources, which will help me in backing up my claims, since claims provide only the “skeleton” of an argument.
I will also be determining my warrants by making sure there is a “logical and persuasive connection” between my claim and the reasons, evidence and facts that support it. This will help the readers in knowing what my assumptions (often unstated) are. I will also use qualifiers to play an essential role in my arguments.
In my argument, I will include an analysis, were I analyze the authors statement and claims, by either supporting it or giving my own point of view on why I don’t support it, by showing condition of rebuttal (potential objections to an argument) which will help not only to benefit my own claims where they’re weak, but also to show that there are people who see thing differently.
Matt Thebarge
2/25/09
Rhet & Comp
Toulmin Argument
Stephen Toulmin was a British philosopher who, in 1958, wrote a book called The Uses of an Argument. This book contains key terms and strategies dealing with developing of arguments. There are many different parts to a Toulmin argument. The major part of it is where you state something, the claim, and then support it with evidence. The evidence is crucial because if it is not valid or good evidence, your claim will appear weak and not believable. In a Toulmin argument, you also have to include things such as the conditions of rebuttal and the response. These areas show the other side of the argument, the side that you are not fighting for. They also make your argument seem reasonable to the people who agree with the other side, and not too far slanted towards your side but still getting your point across.
Rewriting my argument into Toulmin form will help make my argument more understandable, condensed, and less repetitive. The first step I would have to take to reach this would be to decide my claim. I also need o have a qualifier t limit the claim so it is not too large. After I decide the claim that I am going to make, I have to gather the evidence out of the papers I have written to support this claim. I have to then persuade using a warrant to link my claims to the reasons and data supporting it. This data can include my support from the other authors and articles I used in my synthesis section of my past paper. I may need to use more facts and quotes from the Hertsgaard argument and my two other arguments to really support my case. The more evidence I provide the more solid the claim. After I have provided all of my information and evidence I will end by stating how other people may view it in the conditions of rebuttal. After I do this, in my response, I will explain how to go about my claim without sounding too crazy.
The Toulmin argument will help make my Hertsgaard argument a more valuable one. It will rearrange it into a more proper form of argument. It will also get rid of some of the repetitive information and get to the point. The Toulmin argument is a well known type of argument format. With it, I will be able to state my case better then I did in my previous paper.
Samantha Rivers
EH 124
Professor Adam Crowley
February 25, 2009
Stephen Toulmin, a British philosopher, found a way to accurately describe the way people make quality arguments. In his model, the first thing a writer does is begin with a claim. A claim is defined as, “debatable and controversial statements or assertions your hope to prove” (147). A lot of the times claims are controversial because they make the best arguments. If something’s not controversial there might be less of a reason to argue over it. In “The Oblivious Empire,” Hertsgaard does make some controversial points about America because in his opinion we are an ignorant and hated country. To start off my paper I will chose a claim from his paper I want to back up. I will probably go with how America doesn’t seem to know what we are doing overseas and how we are ignorant, as stated by Hertsgaard. This claim will also work because it is debatable.
After the claim I will then need to back it up with specific evidence as to why we don’t know about a lot of things our government is doing and as to why we are viewed as ignorant. Hertsgaard uses a lot of good quotes that I have been using for a while, but now I also have different sources like D’Souza’s article and Obama’s inaugural address. I can pick the pieces that I think fit then state why they work and what they are explaining.
As Toulmin explained in his model, there needs to be a warrant between the claim and the reasons. Meaning, “There must be a logical and persuasive connection between a claim and the reasons and the data supporting it” (152). It helps you transition smoothly between everything so the reader doesn’t get lost or overwhelmed. A warrant helps establish what the writer presumes to be true. In order for me to do this correctly I am going to have to make sure I transition well. The meet of the argument will come after the warrant when I back my claims up. In the draft I have right now I think I touch upon all the parts of Toulmin’s method. The only thing I am going to have to do is redo the order I have with my paper. I think I jump around too much and I don’t give enough specific evidence to back anything up. I also just need to pick one claim and stick with it. I think I try to explain everything when all I really need to do is pick my strongest assumption and go along with that
Julie-Anne Moore
IF someone wishes to lead someone to a truth they use an argument. Out of the various kinds of arguments, the Toulmin argument is one of the most effective written arguments. This is because it allows for limitations to the proven statement, the claim, via qualifiers. These qualifiers are phrases such as “in many cases,” “oftentimes,” and “sometimes.” The fact that there are limitations makes an argument more credible as there are few absolutes existe3nt in the world. Subsequently, as with any argument, the Toulmin argument must begin with the claims. These claims answer the question “So what is your point?” Then, the reasoning behind these claims, the warrant, is put together with these claims early on in the argument. This gives the reader a quick grasp of exactly what the focus of the subsequent argument is. Another factor of the warrant is that it tells often unstated assumptions and answers the question “How exactly do I get from the claim to the data?” After the warrant are the backing evidence and the argument in brief. The backing evidence is to support the warrant and the argument in brief is the evidence that supports the claim. Lastly, one must consider the possibility of objections to their claims. These objections must be addressed and refuted in the Toulmin argument in order to complete a successful argument.
This information about writing a Toulmin argument is useful in that I can now write a more effective argument in response to Hertsgaard’s Oblivious Empire. The first major change that I will need to make is to put my claims, otherwise known as the thesis, in the beginning of the argument. Then, I will put my backing evidence as well as my argument in brief after this. These parts will be, for the most part, the synthesis section that was written beforehand. Then, I can include the parts of the argument that were derived from the précis. These will serve as the conditions of rebuttal. Finally, I will include part of my synthesis section as well as other sections to serve as the response to any objections to my claim.
Toulmin arguments first begin with claims. Not just any ole claims though, claims that can be proven; claims that are worth your time arguing about. These types if claims tend to be controversial. They should also be debatable means they should be able to be proven by either logic or evidentiary support; which are the most important forms of proof. Good claims says the book usually stem from personal experience. You should start to build your case with the proper evidence and reasons for making the claim from the beginning. Then you anticipate challenges to your claim. Since your argument will be debatable people will always challenge and if they don’t then your argument is worthless. First you have to establish your warrant; this is the parallel between the claim and the supporting facts. Then you gather your backing, which is your evidence. Your ability to use qualifiers in your claim is also essential because it puts limits on your claims. This limits your responsibility to prove things in your argument that may just be present for support. Authority is handy because using someone’s name in an argument that has background in that subject gives your claim credibility and makes people think that your claim is true.
These are all tips I will use to revise my paper. I will use information that I have the supporting evidence from the article from the outside source to back Hertsgarrd’s claims. Then I will use D’ Souza’s claims as the challenger. I will use his exact language and interpret it in a different way than he meant it. I will write about the different instances Hertsgarrd refers to in his argument to use as the evidence and Wright’s supporting claims as like the background support to show that others agree with Hertsgarrd also. A good strategy for me to use would be to gather all of the info Hertsgarrd uses in his claims then pick out the instance that most boosts up his claims and makes then look good. Then read through Wright’s article and pick out portions where he agrees with what Hertsgarrd is saying whole heartedly. Then I’ll read the D’ Souza piece to pick out parts where he makes claims that sound bias, racists and complete opposite of what Hertsgarrd’s argument is to give Hertsgarrd more of a halo. All of these tactics will make it a landslide for Hertsgarrd’s article to be considered the more better one because he speaks with more of an open mind to the readers that D’ Souza does.
Karina Durrell
March 3, 2009
A British philosopher, Stephen Toulmin, introduced the key terms and strategies of a Toulmin argument. The British philosopher was looking for a way that accurately described the way people make convincing and reasonable arguments. A Toulmin argument takes into account the complications in life, Toulmin logic became a powerful and practical tool for understanding and shaping arguments. A Toulmin argument will help you understand where things go in many kinds of arguments and you can get good critical thinking habits.
The Toulmin arguments main parts are claims and evidence and warrant. In the beginning of your argument, you would use a claim. This is a debatable or controversial statement that you are trying to prove. The claim depends on your readers or audience. The evidence is what you state after your claim to support it. You then use a warrant. A warrant tells readers what your assumptions are. It is the assumption that makes the claim seem plausible.
I believe that if I wrote my argument in Toulmin form, it will become more organized and much easier to understand. My argument seems to state things over and over again. I could take out some of that information and replace it with information that has not yet been said. I will try to use the claims and evidence more. After I state a face and use a quote, I will summarize their thoughts and what they are trying to express. I could separate my claims better by using different paragraphs for each one. I will use quotes from my other sources to go against what Hertsgaard states. While doing this, I will try not to put my own opinion in it and just use the authors’ opinions. I will use the facts from Hertsgaard piece and then prove him wrong by using quotes and supporting them from the other articles.