Hello! It looks like you want information on argumentative essays. Where can we start?
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###[[argument basics]]
###[[analyzing arguments]]
###[[how do I write one?]]What can I tell you about argument analysis?
###|rsshow>[Lloyd Bitzer's Rhetorical Situation]
(click:?rsshow)[Bitzer states that analyzing rhetorical messages requires understanding its context (or situation) through **exigence**, **audience**, and **constraints**.
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|exigence>[//**Exigence**//]
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(click:?exigence)[Exigence is the need that inspired the **rhetorical argument**. “Imperfection marked by urgency; it is a defect, an obstacle, something waiting to be done, a thing which is other than it should be” (Bitzer 304). Exigence helps you understand what the argument wants to accomplish.]
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|audience>[//**Audience**//]
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(click:?audience)[Audience is the people receiving the rhetorical message. An effective audience of a rhetorical message should be able to respond to its **exigence** somehow, able to change it or press those who can into changing it. The way an argument is written should be customized to best resonate with the chosen audience.]
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|constraints>[//**Constraints**//]
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(click:?constraints)[Constraints refers to complications that can limit the way the **audience** receives or responds to the argument.]]
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###|trshow>[The Rhetorical Triangle]
(click:?trshow)[The rhetorical triangle analyzes an argument through **writer**, **reader**, and **purpose**.
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|writer>[//**Writer**//]
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(click:?writer)[This corner of the rhetorical triangle asks about the writer's credentials and motivations. It looks at the writer's education, personal and professional history, and other contributions to various conversations to determine if they can be considered knowledgeable enough to trust that they're truthful and accurate.]
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|reader>[//**Reader**//]
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(click:?reader)[The reader is like Bitzer's **audience**. The readers are the people that the **writer** wants to persuade to think or do something. The argument should be written in a way to appeal to the intended reader.]
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|purpose>[//**Purpose**//]
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(click:?purpose)[The purpose refers to the **writer**'s goals, or what they want to influence the **reader** to do.]]
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###|atshow>[Aristotle's Artistic Appeals]
(click:?atshow)[Aristotle's appeals are about the way that the rhetoric attempts to persuade. The appeals are **logos**, **pathos**, and **ethos**. These appeals can be used alone, but are at their strongest in combination.
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|logos>[//**Logos**//]
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(click:?logos)[Appealing to logos is an appeal to reason. Facts, statistics, and logic are tools of logos.]
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|pathos>[//**Pathos**//]
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(click:?pathos)[Appealing to pathos is an appeal to emotion. Anecdotes and narratives, and anything else emotionally evocative are tools of pathos. Pathos is the most effective appeal if the **writer** has little time to make their case.]
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|ethos>[//**Ethos**//]
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(click:?ethos)[Appealing to ethos is an appeal to credibility (using accuracy and solid, easily followed logic) and relatability (attempting to relate to the **audience** to support why they should think the same).]]
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^^[[argument basics]] | [[how do I write one?]]^^What can I tell you about argumentative essays?
###|ashow>[What are they?]
(click:?ashow)[Argumentative is one of the genres of essay, alongside narrative, descriptive, and expository. An argument is a process of making claims and backing them up with evidence. Arguments can be split into ''rhetorical arguments'' and ''academic arguments''.]
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|rshow>[//**rhetorical arguments**//]
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(click:?rshow)[''Rhetorical arguments'' (also called ''persuasive arguments'') begin with a conclusion and present evidence to support their conclusion. Opposing information might be briefly brought up, then dismissed with evidence that further supports the presented opinion.
//Goal: Persuade the audience to adopt the presented opinion//]
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|acshow>[//**academic arguments**//]
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(click:?acshow)[''Academic arguments'' are an exercise of looking at all evidence and following it in a conversational manner to find the truth of the matter and only draw a conclusion once all evidence has been considered.
//Goal: Advance an existing conversation with new ideas and perspectives//]
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###|vsshow>[Opinion vs. Argument]
(click:?vsshow)[
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//Opinion://
* Supported by feeling, intuition
* May be irrelevant or even conflict with other opinions
* Declaration of feeling that may match everyone else's feelings
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//Argument://
* Supported by facts
* Must fit together rationally and create a logically sound picture
* Brings something new to the conversation]
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^^[[analyzing arguments]] | [[how do I write one?]]^^Writing an argumentative essay is an involved process. Here is some helpful information.
###|start>[Where to start]
(click:?start)[
0. Ask a question
0. Research
0. Think critically about findings
0. Ask questions of the research
0. Research new questions
Repeat as necessary to understand the existing conversation before writing.]
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###|write>[Begin writing]
(click:?write)[An argumentative essay should flow like a conversation, exploring:
* Existing research
* Others' perspectives
* Personal analysis
Writing will be like sorting out thoughts in real time, not like having an opinion that we wish to persuade our **audience** or **reader** of.]
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###|ohno>[Oh no! I found something that contradicts my writing!]
(click:?ohno)[Good! Further research and analysis will be deeper and more nuanced. Remain flexible and open to new information.]
^^[[argument basics]] | [[analyzing arguments]]^^