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IEC 326 Characteristics of An Arguable Assertion
IEC 326 Characteristics of An Arguable Assertion
The Foundations of
Argument
IEC 326 SPR 2023 DR. TED
What is an assertion?
An assertion is a claim that you make
A priori assumptions
Ie, beliefs that have the force of fact (eg, “people are basically good”)
Expressions of taste
Eg, “I like chocolate ice cream better than strawberry ice cream”
Matters of fact
Eg, The population of Chiang Mai is 125, 237
Statements involving unverifiable facts
“There is life after death”
Statements involving insufficient facts
Begin your argument with a legitimate
assertion
Additional considerations:
Assertions are the framework of rhetoric
Examine your assumptions
Consider your audience
Best to avoid overly general assertions
Avoid superlatives: “always,” “never,” etc.
Qualify your assertion, to make it manageable