Argumentation theory is the study of how conclusions can be reached through logical reasoning and includes the analysis of civil debate, conversation, and persuasion. It examines different types of arguments used in various contexts such as legal, scientific, mathematical, and political. The field has broadened over time from its philosophical origins to consider arguments beyond formal systems. Effective arguing requires understanding one's purpose, knowing the details of the argument, listening to others, and not arguing with those unwilling to provide good reasons for their beliefs.

1. {5 THINGS}
should know about
every
comm.
student
ARGUMENTATION
*THEORY

2. #1 WHAT THE
HECK IS IT?

3. >>>>
ARGUMENTATION THEORY, or
argumentation, is the study of how
conclusions can be reached through
LOGICAL REASONING*

4. *
which means
CLAIMS
(sound or not)
are based on
premises

5. IT INCLUDES
the arts and sciences of

6. >> CIVIL DEBATE

7. >> CONVERSATION

8. DIALOGUE

9. and…
>>
PERSUASION

10. WHO USES IT?
#2

11. { the truth is }
EVERYBODY
*
ARGUES

12. >>>>>>> the difference is the TYPE of argument >>>>>>>>>>

13. THERE IS…
CONVERSATIONAL ARGUMENTATION

14. scientific and mathematical
argumentation

15. LEGAL ARGUMENTATION

16. …and
finally
POLITICAL A RGUMENTATION

17. #3 SO WHAT?

18. why argue?
>> when
it
comes
down
to
it,
we
argue
because
we
want
something…

19. n or der
…a nd i
ha t you
to g et w
un eed
wan t, yo with
ego tiate
to n ple…
o ther peo

20. >>
Improving your communication skills, i.e.,
improving your arguing skills, will help
so, to ‘GET WHAT YOU WANT’ is one reason for arguing

21. { }
Other reasons to
argue are to find out
what you believe and
what other people
believe and why.

22. CRITICISM
#4

23. *
argumentation
theory
had its
origins in
foundationalism,
(a field
of philosophy)

24. >>>>>
It sought to find the
grounds for claims
in the forms (logic)
and materials
(factual laws) of a
universal system of
knowledge

25. BUT…

26. phy
phi loso
em atic
syst
tle's
A risto

27. *
They QUESTIONED and
ultimately DISCARDED the
idea that argument
premises take their
soundness from formal
PHILOSOPHICAL systems

28. THUS THE FIELD BROADENED
and this caused an ongoing debate
>>>>>>>

29. some scholars construe the term "argument" narrowly
{ as exclu
even disco
sively written
urse in which
discourse or
are explicit
all premises
}

30. while others construe the term "argument" broadly
to include spok
{
en and even
}
nonverbal disco
to include spok urse
en and
even nonverba
l discourse

31. *
The dispute between
broad and narrow
theorists is of long
standing and is
unlikely to be settled.

32. #5
HOW TO ARGUE
BETTER

33. “ Unlike arming
people with guns
or bombs, no one will
die from being
armed with
the techniques of
”
argument.
-Michael Gilbert

34. *
>>> KEY POINTERS
for arguing effectively

35. {
know why you are arguing
}
What is your purpose?
Do you believe you
can
achieve your purp
ose?

36. {know
WHAT
you
are
arguing
}
What is YOUR claim?
What is your co-arguer’s claim?
about What reasons support your
claim?

37. >>
DON’T ARGUE WITH FANATICS!
(Assume that people have
reasons for their beliefs: Do
not argue with people who
don’t, and limit your arguing
when people don’t have
"good" reasons)

38. …and finally
LISTEN!
just listen, argue, listen, argue
If you can restate what they said and
show you really did listen, the co-arguer is
more likely to listen to you!

39. Image
credit
in
order
of
which
they
appear
Chu,
H.
(Photographer).
(2010).
Associated
press.
[Web
Graphic].
Retrieved
from
h8p://www.cleveland.com/world/index.ssf/2010/04/tv_poliDcal_debates_for_1st_t.html
(2008).
Two
men
engaged
in
conversaDon.
(2008).
[Web
Photo].
Retrieved
from
h8p://web.expasy.org/spotlight/back_issues/091/
(2011).
argument.
(2011).
[Web
Photo].
Retrieved
from
h8p://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/5-­‐ways-­‐to-­‐win-­‐an-­‐argument/
(2010).
logo
poliDcs.
(2010).
[Web
Photo].
Retrieved
from
h8p://thebrandbuilder.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/logo-­‐poliDcs1.jpg
(2012).
chalkboard
formula.
(2012).
[Web
Photo].
Retrieved
from
h8p://www.niemanlab.org/2012/03/the-­‐newsonomics-­‐of-­‐crossover/
(2008).
Retro
tv
commercial.
(2008).
[Web
Photo].
Retrieved
from
h8p://potenDal2success.com/the-­‐persuasion-­‐experiment-­‐5-­‐persuasion-­‐techniques-­‐tested.html/
trackback
(2011).
law.
(2011).
[Web
Photo].
Retrieved
from
h8p://blog.thansys.com/wp-­‐content/uploads/2011/07/law.jpg
(2007).
loving
divorce.
(2007).
[Web
Photo].
Retrieved
from
h8p://community.servicenow.com/blog/slightlyloony/argal-­‐argument-­‐puzzler