Arguments of Fact vs. Arguments of Definition 8 hours
Arguments of Fact
Chapter 8
Facts
People don’t‘ ordinarily argue factual matters that are settled or agreed upon
Facts become arguments when
They’re controversial in themselves
They’re used to challenge or change people’s beliefs
Facts
Need arguments that correct or challenge beliefs and assumptions that are widely held within a society on the basis of inadequate info.
Address broad questions about the history or myths that societies want to believe about themselves
Do the facts we believe today reflect the perspectives and prejudices of earlier times or ideologies?
Facts
Broaden readers’ perspectives
Add new dimensions
Flesh out or correct what’s narrowly or mistakenly reported
Characterizing factual arguments
Tend to be driven by perceptions and evidence
Explore questions of what if? Or how come?
Hypothesis
Uncover evidence that reaches well beyond casual observations
Developing a factual argument
Identify an Issue
Something that could or should be of interest to readers
Look for apparent contradictions or tensions in local or national communities
Be careful not to argue matters that pose no challenge to you or your audiences
Researching your hypothesis
How and where to research depend on your subject
Choose the best sources for your subject
Go to primary sources whenever you can
Create your own primary research
Refining your claim
May have to refine your hypothesis as you learn more about your subject.
As research advances, you may need to use more qualifiers (some, few, many, most, etc.)
Important to set your claim into context that helps explain it to other who may find it hostile
Deciding which evidence to use
Make choices about what evidence to draw from and be prepared to defend those choices
Biggest impact with little space:
Present your best evidence as powerfully as possible.
Can make a factual case with just a 3 or 4 examples
Going on for too long may make it seem uninteresting or pointless
Considering design & visuals
Consider how visual design can enhance the evidence you have
Charts, tables, pictures, graphs, etc.
Don’t want the reader to otherwise image what you are communicating
In Summary
Describe a situation that leads you to raise question about a given fact
Make a claim that addresses the status of the facts as they’re known.
Offer substantial and authoritative evidence to support your claims.