discussions

#1.Discussion: ARS Criteria

Take a recent issue from a national newspaper and look at the letters to the editor. Choose one letter whose argument you will analyze for this discussion. Either attach a copy of the article or include a link to it with your post.

For your analysis, first identify what kind of argument is being used. Then apply the critical questions regarding the acceptable, relevant, and sufficient (p. 107) premises to the article and explain your answers.

#2.

Discussion: Social Power 

Take a recent issue from a national newspaper and look at the letters to the editor. Choose one letter whose argument you will analyze for this discussion. Either attach a copy of the article or include a link to it with your post. The letter you choose should use some form of social power in its argument.

Identify what social power is being used in the argument and how it is being used. Additionally, are there elements of ad hominem or ad baculum arguments in the letter? Are there arguments based on ethotic power? Finally, what is the role of social power in arguments?