Claims - Grounds - Warrants - Backing - Modal Qualification
These are the beginning steps to an argument. When I say
argument I am not talking about a fight in which two sides just yell at each
other and there is nothing that is gained but an honest intellectual argument
(even if the subject matter is not what one would call “intellectual”) where
people discuss their differences of opinions.
This system can be used in everyday conversation or in scholarly,
political, or judicial debates. Yes, there is more to an argument than these
steps and argumentation and debate is certainly a more complex system than this
particular communicative formula would indicate but it is a good place to
start. To start a debate, you make a claim. This can be a claim of fact,
opinion, belief, or value. Most claims are of a subjective nature. After the
claim you set the stage for the claim by setting the grounds for the claim.
This is the time when you quantify your argument. So you start with a general
statement and then narrow focus of that statement. You then use warrants to
show how your claim and your backing are actually connected. You can do this
through using logic however, because logic does not guarantee a correct or
valid argument, it is good to bring in studies and scientific research to help
make your case. This is called backing. Finally, you look at your overall
argument and you try to decide if it makes any sort of sense. If it fits
together in a logical flow that other people can follow and understand.
Again, it must be admitted that communication and debate and
persuasion cannot really be put into such a formulaic way but this is the start
of debate. Eventually, people will question you and rebut your position and
then you will have to adapt. But, if you are starting off with debate and you
use this as a guide to formulate the way you express yourself, you will give
yourself a strong foundation that will help and benefit you when you actually
do get to debate someone.
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