Classic Argument Activity

Up to this point, you have constructed a logical argument, a claim supported by reasons and evidence.

Although our society places a great deal of weight on the logic of the argument when deciding whether or not to take a position, the truth of the matter is that the real persuasive power of any reason stems from an underlying value judgment, an unstated assumption about what the audience values, sometimes called a warrant. If the audience does not value the same principle or idea that you value, your argument does not have much persuasive power.

For example, if I am trying to sell a car to an audience of college students, I might assume that they will value saving money. In my sales pitch, I might emphasize all the money-saving features of the car: its low price, its good gas mileage, its record of low maintenance costs. This will probably work IF my audience actually values saving money as much as I think they do.

However, if my college students are all from wealthy families, then it’s likely that they are not as concerned with economy as I believe. In that case, my argument based on the value of economizing will not be very persuasive.

Unstated assumptions are, in essence, very simple value judgments. Something is good; something is bad. Something is desirable; something is not desirable. Something is healthy; something is unhealthy. Something is morally right; something is morally wrong. In the example above, the unstated assumption I was basing my argument on was: Saving money is desirable.

Unstated assumptions are often not directly stated in an argumentative paper; however, they should be taken into consideration when thinking your way through an argument.

You can see how you will not be very persuasive if you make the wrong assumption about what your audience values.

My argument outline below has now been expanded to include the underlying assumption that supports each reason (abbreviated UA).

Thesis: In 30 years, automobiles will be obsolete.

I. Because the cost of fuel is too high. (UA: 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. (UA: Damage to the environment is undesirable.)

1) Global warming is caused in part by auto emissions

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

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

Go through your argument now and add to your outline the unstated assumption for each of your reasons. Post the revised outline. Copy and paste it into your post rather than attaching the outline.

ENGL 123 Outline with Unstated Assumptions (0917)