Understanding Argumentation Structure & Types
An argument is a variety of discourse used to defend an opinion and persuade a receiver using evidence and reasoning. It relates to different disciplines:
- Logic: laws of human reasoning
- Dialectic: procedures used to prove or disprove something
- Rhetoric: the use of linguistic resources to persuade and evoke affections, emotions, suggestions
Key Components: Thesis & Body
An argumentative essay has two elements: the thesis and the body argument.
- The thesis is the fundamental idea to reflect upon and argue for.
- The body argument contains all the ‘reasons’ that allow the author to convince the recipient. These are called arguments.
Argument Structures
The basic ways to structure these arguments are:
Inductive Structure
Starts with facts to establish a general idea. The final thesis serves as a conclusion of the whole argumentative process.
Repetitive Structure
The same argument is repeated throughout the text.
Deductive Structure
Begins with a general idea (initial position) to reach a concrete conclusion.
Parallel Structure
Different views are presented and argued at the same time.
Framed Structure
Starts with a general idea, develops arguments, and concludes with a final thesis.
Types of Arguments
By Persuasiveness
Relevance
Relevant arguments are related to the thesis or reinforce it.
Validity
Valid arguments lead to the desired conclusion. Otherwise, they are fallacious or false arguments.
Force
The force of an argument relates to how easily it can be contested: weak arguments vs. strong and irrefutable arguments.
By Purpose
Sound Arguments
Based on cause-effect relationships, concrete-abstract conditions/results, concrete-abstract concepts, or detached/general principles.
Syllogism
An argument consisting of two premises and a conclusion that necessarily follows from them.
Examples & Anecdotes
Using data, stories, anecdotes, etc., to illustrate the validity or falsity of an argument.
Common Sense & Topics
Using proverbs and maxims. Topics are formulas or schemes based on moral, cultural, religious, experiential, or habitual beliefs. Examples: beauty is preferable to the ugly, women are weaker than men, the young are more impetuous than adults, the past is better than the present, or vice versa.
Argument of Authority
Quoting a sage, thinker, writer, etc. Examples: “As Socrates says…”, “Descartes already said ‘I think, therefore I am,’ therefore…”
Affective or Emotional Arguments
The difference from sound arguments is the use of language; expressive values are sought through stylistic devices. Connotative values predominate, as in literary texts. The use of emotional arguments depends on the text type; it is inadequate in scientific texts but appears frequently in humanistic texts.
By Function
Supporting Arguments
Uphold the thesis itself.
Concessions
Thoughts from the contrary view that are tentatively supported.
Rebuttals
Arguments used to reject all or part of the opposite view.