Unit 8 Assignment: Practicing Argumentation

First, review Reading #3:

https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/establishing_arguments/organizing_your_argument.html

This article presents three different argumentation styles. After reading about the three styles, try writing one of each! Use this
template to do so. Please note, you only need to type 1-2 sentences per box in this template. So, this does not have to be a full
essay! You are just practicing the components of argumentation. You do not need to do any research for this assignment. It can be
tricky, so don’t worry. I’ll provide feedback to help.

Toulmin Method

Section Description Example from Purdue Your Example:

OWL
Claim In this section, you explain your overall Hybrid cars are an Write a claim about
thesis on the subject. In other words, you effective strategy to fight public transportation in
make your main argument. pollution. Massachusetts (For
example, Boston should
update the bus system
to better meet the needs
of parents and
students):

Data You should use evidence to support the Driving a private car is a Provide some type of
(Grounds):  claim. In other words, provide the reader typical citizen's most air- evidence to support
with facts that prove your argument is polluting activity. your claim:
strong.
Warrant In this section, you explain why or how your Due to the fact that cars Explain why your
(Bridge):  data supports the claim. As a result, the are the largest source of evidence supports your
underlying assumption that you build your private (as opposed to claim:
argument on is grounded in reason. industrial) air pollution,
switching to hybrid cars
should have an impact on
fighting pollution.

Counterclaim:  You should anticipate a counterclaim that Instead of focusing on State why someone else
negates the main points in your argument. cars, which still might disagree with your
Don't avoid arguments that oppose your encourages an inefficient claim:
own. Instead, become familiar with the culture of driving even as it
opposing perspective.  If you respond to cuts down on pollution, the
counterclaims, you appear unbiased (and, nation should focus on
therefore, you earn the respect of your building and encouraging
readers). You may even want to include the use of mass transit
several counterclaims to show that you systems.
have thoroughly researched the topic.

Rebuttal In this section, you incorporate your own While mass transit is an State why they are
evidence that disagrees with the idea that should be wrong to disagree with
counterclaim. It is essential to include a encouraged, it is not you:
thorough warrant or bridge to strengthen feasible in many rural and
your essay’s argument. If you present data suburban areas, or for
to your audience without explaining how it people who must
supports your thesis, your readers may not commute to work. Thus,
make a connection between the two, or hybrid cars are a better
they may draw different conclusions. solution for much of the
nation's population.
Rogerian Method 
Component of the Description of this
Argument Component
Introduction Introduce the issue to the
audience, striving to remain
as objective as possible
Opposing View Explain the other side’s
position in an unbiased
way. When you discuss the
counterargument without
judgement, the opposing
side can see how you do
not directly dismiss
perspectives which conflict
with your stance.
Statement of Validity This section discusses how
(Understanding):  you acknowledge how the
other side’s points can be
valid under certain
circumstances. You
identify how and why their
perspective makes sense in
a specific context, but still
present your own argument.
Example from Purdue
OWL
The issue of whether
children should wear school
uniforms is subject to some
debate.
Some parents think that
requiring children to wear
uniforms is best.
Those parents who support
uniforms argue that, when
all students wear the same
uniform, the students can
develop a unified sense of
school pride and
inclusiveness
Your Own Example
Write a claim about
whether companies
should require employees
to get vaccinated:
Explain what some people
might believe instead of
you:
Explain why you think
someone else might have
that belief:
Statement of Your By this point, you have
Position demonstrated that you
understand the other side’s
viewpoint. In this section,
you explain your own
stance.
Statement of Benefits You should conclude by
explaining to the opposing
side why they would benefit
from accepting your
position. By explaining the
advantages of your
argument, you close on a
positive note without
completely dismissing the
other side’s perspective.
Classical Method 
Component of the Description of this
Argument Component
Introduce the issue and
Introduction (Exordium):  explain its significance. You
should also establish your
credibility and the topic’s
legitimacy.
Students should not be Explain why you believe
required to wear school what you do about
uniforms. Mandatory vaccines:
uniforms would forbid
choices that allow students
to be creative and express
themselves through
clothing.
Though both sides seek to Explain the benefits of
promote students' best your beliefs regarding
interests, students should vaccines:
not be required to wear
school uniforms. By giving
students freedom over their
choice, students can
explore their self-identity by
choosing how to present
themselves to their peers.
Example from Purdue Your Own Example
OWL
Millions of workers are paid Write a sentence about
a set hourly wage your experience in online
nationwide. The federal learning:
minimum wage is
standardized to protect
workers from being paid too
little. Research points to
many viewpoints on how

Statement of Background Present vital contextual or
(Narratio):  historical information to the
audience to further their
understanding of the issue.
By doing so, you provide
the reader with a working
knowledge about the topic
independent of your own
stance.
Proposition (Propositio):  After you provide the reader
with contextual knowledge,
you are ready to state your
claims which relate to the
information you have
provided previously. This
section outlines your major
points for the reader.
Proof (Confirmatio):  You should explain your
reasons and evidence to
the reader. Be sure to
thoroughly justify your
reasons. In this section, if
necessary, you can provide
supplementary evidence
much to pay these workers.
Some families cannot afford
to support their households
on the current wages
provided for performing a
minimum wage job.
Currently, millions of Write a sentence about
American workers struggle why online learning is
to make ends meet on a happening this year:
minimum wage. This puts a
strain on workers’ personal
and professional lives.
Some work multiple jobs to
provide for their families.
The current federal Write a claim about
minimum wage should be whether you think online
increased to better learning is useful to you
accommodate millions of or not:
overworked Americans. By
raising the minimum wage,
workers can spend more
time cultivating their
livelihoods
According to the United Provide a reason for why
States Department of Labor, you believe it is/isn’t
80.4 million Americans work useful to you:
for an hourly wage, but
nearly 1.3 million receive
wages less than the federal
minimum. The pay raise will
 and subpoints.
Refutation (Refuatio):  In this section, you address
anticipated
counterarguments that
disagree with your thesis.
Though you acknowledge
the other side’s perspective,
it is important to
prove why your stance is
more logical.   a cost of living increase
Conclusion (Peroratio):  You should summarize your
main points. The conclusion
also caters to the reader’s
emotions and values. The
use of pathos here makes
the reader more inclined to
consider your argument.   overall. Though some argue
alleviate the stress of these
workers. Their lives would
benefit from this raise
because it affects
multiple areas of their lives.
There is some evidence that Acknowledge why
raising the federal wage someone else might
might increase the cost of disagree with you:
living. However, other
evidence contradicts this or
suggests that the increase
would not be great.
Additionally,  worries about
must be balanced with the
benefits of providing
necessary funds to millions
of hardworking Americans.
If the federal minimum wage Write one concluding
was raised, many workers sentence:
could alleviate some of their
financial burdens. As a
result, their emotional
wellbeing would improve
that the cost of living could
increase, the benefits
outweigh the potential
drawbacks