The document defines argumentation as the act of giving reasons for or against something in order to make and present arguments. It discusses three types of arguments: exposition which presents a thesis defended by arguments and concluded, discussion which presents two opposing paradigms argued for over each other, and challenge which attacks a thesis with arguments. The document also describes two ways arguments can be organized - consecutively with opposing positions presented one after another, or alternatively with opposing views contrasted within the same section and the author indicating their preferred view.

1. ARGUMENTATION

2. DEFINITION: the act or process of giving reasons for
or against something: the act or process of making
and presenting arguments. http://www.merriam-
webster.com
Arguments are used to defend
paradigms.
Type 1: exposition
Type 2: discussion
Type 3: challenge
Martin J. and Rose, D. (2008) Genre
Relations. Mapping Culture, 3.7.3

3. Exposition
Thesis
defended by
Arguments
and followed
by a
Conclusion

4. Discussion
Two or more
opposing
paradigms
contradicting each
other, and one
argues for over the
others.

5. Challenge: a Thesis attacked by Arguments
Thesis
Attacked by
arguments
Thesis
Attacked by
arguments
Thesis
Attacked by
arguments
Thesis
Attacked by
arguments
Conclusion

6. Different types of organization of
arguments
• Consecutive arguments
• Alternative arguments

7. Consecutive Arguments
• Opposing and complete positions are
presented one after the other in
separate paragraphs or sections.
• The author expresses his own point
of view in a separate paragraph.

8. Consecutive Arguments
• Arguments 1, 2, 3, etc.
• Author’s opinion
Position 1
• Arguments 1, 2, 3, etc.
• Author’s opinion
Position 2
• Final closure
• Author’s point of view
Conclusion

9. Alternative Arguments
• Opposing positions are presented in
the same paragraph or section.
• Opposing views are contrasted
internally.
• The author adheres to one point of
view and indicates which.

10. Alternative Arguments
Conclusion
Author’s view about 1 Author’s view about 2
Positions 1 and 2
Arguments in favour of 1 Arguments in favour of 2
Positions 1 and 2
Arguments in favour of 1 Arguments in favour of 2