Classic Argument Activity

Think for a moment about how you react when someone refuses to listen to your point of view, or how you react when you hear someone dismiss your point of view as stupid or misguided or ill informed. Your willingness to listen to that person diminishes greatly, doesn’t it?

That’s why the Classical Argument structure includes the acknowledgment of objections. Your argument is actually strengthened when you respectfully acknowledge sincere differences of opinion because you show yourself to be a thoughtful person who has considered the many aspects of the issue. And because you have shown yourself to be thoughtful, your rebuttal has more weight, more potential to persuade the objector to consider your point of view.

In the outline below, I have added an objection and rebuttal. Remember, this was made up for the purpose of demonstration; don’t quote me on it!

Thesis: In 30 years, automobiles will be obsolete.

I. Because the cost of fuel is too high. (Warrant: High fuel costs are bad.)

1) 20% rise over last 3 years

2) Average family income in same period rose 13%

3) Expert testimony: Dr. Smith: “Fuel costs will continue to eat into the family budget until the cost to operate a car gets beyond the ability of an average family to pay for—probably in less than 20 years.”

II. Because people are becoming more concerned about the environmental damage done by automobiles. (Warrant: Damage to the environment is undesirable.)

1) Global warming is caused in part by auto emissions Objection: Advances in technology will greatly reduce auto emissions.

Rebuttal: The damage is being done today. We can’t wait for technology to rescue us. US Geological Survey shows that the earth’s temperature has risen 3 degrees in the last 100 years. Dr. Joyce Crane says her research shows that it will take at least 100 years of reduced emissions to bring the temperature back down, and that’s if we start today.

2) Readers’ Digest survey shows 43% of Americans are concerned about damage to the environment caused by cars and trucks.

3) Sierra Club Web site: “Automobile manufacture and support (roads, fuel, dumps, etc.) are destroying natural resources almost as fast as logging and burning in the rainforest.”

Consider from your research the various different points of view you have encountered, and choose one objection to any part of your argument. Decide how you will counter that objection. Add the objection and rebuttal to your outline and post it (copy and paste it into your post rather than attaching the outline).

ENGL 123 Outline with Objection and Counterargument (0917)