Argumentation Mapping Session Two.pptx

Argument maps

1. Argument Maps – useful for planning your writing Bike helmets prevent injuries effectively. In 2004, bike helmets became compulsory (gov.uk, 2018). Since 2004, there has been a 45% decrease in injuries from bike accidents (Institute of Road Safety, 2018). Is this argument acceptable? Yes

2. Argument Maps – useful for planning your writing It is possible that a global disaster could make the Earth uninhabitable. In this situation, humanity would need to find an alternative place to live. As the moon is closest to Earth, humanity should establish colonies on the moon as soon as possible. Is this argument acceptable? No The author has missed out important information

3. Including ALTERNATIVE POINTS and creating more COMPLEX argument maps So far we have looked at simple arguments / argument maps In academic writing, arguments are typically much more complex (premises of a conclusion branch off into other points) Crucially, you have to include alternative / opposing views

4. Including ALTERNATIVE VIEWS and creating more COMPLEX argument maps alternative view this premise branches off into other points

5. Including ALTERNATIVE VIEWS and creating more COMPLEX argument maps alternative/ opposing view branches off into other points

6. Including ALTERNATIVE VIEWS and creating more COMPLEX argument maps alternative view branch off into other points

7. There are free online MIND-MAPPING tools to do this: https://www.mindmup.com/

8. Line of Argumentation in Writing Essays Articles Chapters INTRODUCTION MAIN BODY CONCLUSION

9. Line of Argumentation in Writing - Where can we see it in the Introduction and Conclusion? The overarching argument of the whole text Breaking the thesis into several main points and telling us the order in which they will be discussed Reasserting the overarching argument of the whole text Briefly summarising the main points that were made

10. Line of Argumentation in Writing - The Main Body SECTION 1 SECTION 2 SECTION 3 PARAGRAPH 1 PARAGRAPH 3 PARAGRAPH 2

11. Plan 1: Making a Case Introduction Section 1 : first reason supporting my thesis Section 2: second reason supporting my thesis Section 3: third reason supporting my thesis (of course the main body doesn’t have to have 3 sections – you decide how many sections.) Conclusion

12. Question: Was the Tao Te Ching written by one author, or many? Thesis: The Tao Te Ching was written by many authors. For example:

13. Would you be persuaded by the text that presents this line of argumentation? Probably NOT Why/not? The writer didn’t consider any reasons we might disagree with their position. But there must be some reasons why we might disagree (because you would never be asked to answer a completely uncontroversial question) To persuade us, the writer must address some of the reasons we might disagree with them.

14. In other words… where’s the alternative view ? Look at this example: alternative

15. Introduction Section 1: first reason supporting my thesis + an alternative / opposing view (if there’s anything to say about this) this) Section 2: second argument supporting my thesis + an alternative / opposing view (if there’s anything to say about this) Section 3: third argument supporting my thesis + an alternative / opposing view (if there’s anything to say about this) Conclusion …but something might still be missing…

16. Introduction Section 1: first reason supporting my thesis + an alternative / opposing view (if there’s anything to say about this) this) + how this alternative might be refuted, therefore defending my initial reason (if there’s anything to say about this) Section 2: second argument supporting my thesis + an alternative / opposing view (if there’s anything to say about this) + how this alternative might be refuted, therefore defending my initial reason (if there’s anything to say about this) Section 3: third argument supporting my thesis + an alternative / opposing view (if there’s anything to say about this) + how this alternative might be refuted, therefore defending my initial reason (if there’s anything to say about this) Conclusion The red and blue parts are where you show criticality.

17. Plan 2: Weighing the Options Introduction Section 1: one possible answer to the question Section 2: another possible answer to the question Section 3: another possible answer to the question Conclusion

18. Question: What is the purpose of philosophy? Thesis: The purpose of philosophy is to search for truth.

19. Would you be persuaded by the text that presents this line of argumentation? Probably NOT Why/not? We’ve been given no reason to accept the thesis ! Why should we believe the idea presented in section 1, and not the ideas presented in sections 2 and 3? In other words, the alternative/opposing views are missing again.

20. Introduction Section 1: one possible answer to the question + reason why we might not accept this answer (if there’s anything to say about this) Section 2: another possible answer to the question + reason why we might not accept this answer (if there’s anything to say about this) Section 3: another possible answer to the question + reason why we might not accept this answer (if there’s anything to say about this) Conclusion …but something might still be missing…

21. Section 1: one possible answer to the question + reasons why we might not accept this answer (if there’s anything to say about this) + how this answer can be defended (if there’s anything to say) Section 2: another possible answer to the question + reasons why we might not accept this answer (if there’s anything to say about this) + how this answer can be defended (if there’s anything to say) Section 3: another possible answer to the question + reasons why we might not accept this answer (if there’s anything to say about this) + how this answer can be defended (if there’s anything to say) The red and blue parts are where you show criticality.

22. These section plans are a useful tool in the planning stage of writing But always remember not to be bound by them Let your argumentation be driven by what you find in the reading!

23. Final Task: Over to you !