LESSON FIVE
EXPOSING THE ARGUMENT
Objective:
• At the end of this topic, the student is expected to:
• be able to expose and recognize arguments.
• be able to identify non-arguments.
• know how to diagram arguments.
Exposing the Argument
• Exposing the argument means to single out the conclusion from the premise
or premises. To distinguish the conclusion, we must identify the claim
being made. The reasons that back up the claim are called the premises.
•
• Dogs are not reptiles since no mammal is a reptile and dogs are mammals.
•
• If the national economy is really doing well that would mean an improved
quality of life for most poor people. Since there is really no significant
improvement in the life of most poor people, then, all news that the
economy is doing well is mere talk.
NON-SUPPORTED CLAIMS
• It is Monday today. It is also the start of the semester..
•
• Since the time he became mayor, he has accumulated so much
wealth and did not stop working hard in order to stabilize the
political situation.
Recognizing Arguments
• To determine whether passages contain arguments or not, two
conditions must be met.
•
• a. there must be a statement claimed to be supported by
evidence.
•
• b. there must be a statement presenting the evidence or reasons
for the claim.
•
• Because politicians are elected, they are accountable to the people.
BASIC STRUCTURE OF THE ARGUMENT
• We can outline the basic structure of the argument:
•
• Q
because
P
•
• To establish the truth of Q, it must be regarded as problematic;
otherwise, there is no need to establish its truth by means of the
proof established by P. In this case, “Q because P” constitutes an
argument. If the truth of Q is unproblematic but there is a need to
explain it, then “Q because P” offers an explanation.
EXAMPLES
• Since Julius broke up with Edna, many students have shifted to
Psychology.
•
• Since Julius broke up with Edna, she lost enthusiasm for studying.
Identifying Non-arguments
• 1. Comparison – these are really compound statements which
show the similarity between two events or two instances. Even if
there are indicators, they are not really arguments.
•
• Like wolves looking for preys, the terrorists plan their attacks
with treachery.
2.
Conditional Statement
• – this is the “if. . . then. . . ” statement. Every conditional statement is
made up of two components: the “if” statement called the antecedent
and the “then” statement called the consequent.
•
• If the local government units were serious in regulating smoking in
public places, then they would have to pass stiffer penalties for its
violations.
• But local government units are serious in regulating smoking in public
places.
• Therefore, they have to pass stiffer penalties for its violations.
3.
Description –
• this is a statement or a series of statements that causes a certain
image to appear in the mind of the reader.
•
• One of the most well-known diseases in the present century and
the leading causes of men’s death is heart disease. Poor blood
circulation leading to abnormal heart beating and death of the
heart muscle can be fatal.
•
4.
Expository passage –
• this is a series of statements that aims to elaborate on a certain
topic by providing some descriptions that expand and develop the
topic. If there is no attempt to prove the topic sentence using the
other statements, it is not an argument.
•
• Mothers are the most loving persons in the world. From the first
moment of conception until we grow up.
5.
Explanation –
• This is a statement or a series of statements that shows why something is
the case and not to prove that something is the case. The component
which does the explaining is called the explanans while the component to
be explained is called the explanandum. Often explanations are mistaken
for arguments because they often contain the indicator word “because.”
•
• Tuition fee increases annually because the salaries of teachers must be
adjusted.
•
• Adult humans can eat solid foods, while infants cannot, because their
stomachs are more developed than the latter.
6.
Illustration –
• this consists of a statement about a certain topic and followed by
statements showing instances that exemplify the statement. Illustrations
are different from arguments because they only give examples to clarify the
point whereas an argument proves the point.
•
• Public demonstrations are often signs of dissatisfaction with the
administration of government. Thus, there are demonstrations at
Mendiola, Plaza Miranda and Batasan Hills.
•
• Being at one with nature helps one attain peace of mind. Thus Edith Stein
often goes on hiking during weekends.
7.
Opinions –
• These are statements of belief which express what a person
believes or thinks at a certain time. If there is no proof given for
the opinion, then there is no argument.
•
• I think that this present government is morally bankrupt. As
such, our present leaders exemplify the worst politician one can
be.
•
• Being a teacher is better than being a nurse because it is easier to
go abroad and you can expect much better pay.
8.
Recommendation –
• this is a statement that cites a basis for the action prescribed. It is
not an argument because it does not establish a claim.
•
• The Dean of the Law School was totally impressed by the
professional excellence of Atty. Balleber. I therefore recommend
him to be the next Dean of the College.
•
9.
Report –
• this consists of a group of statements that transmit information
about some happenings or event.
•
• “The death toll from a bus bombing in a southern Philippine town
rose to eight yesterday, after three who were wounded died in
the hospital overnight, police said. The blast, which also
wounded at least 14 people in Bansalan, Davao del Sur Province,
came about five minutes after a bomb went off inside a bus
owned by the same company in another southern city, causing
little damage and no injuries.” [Manila Bulletin, June 17, 2007]
10. Temporal sequence –
• this consists of a series of statements that describe a series of
events that chronologically follow one another. It is simply the
description that after an event has happened, several other
followed later on.
•
• Since Duterte became president, EJKs have been at an all time
high.
•
11. Warnings –
• these are discourses aimed at changing another person’s behavior.
When there is no reason given why a person should follow something
or not, it is not an argument.
•
• Be careful. Strive to be happy. [Max Ehrman, Desiderata]
•
• Keep out of reach of children.
•
• Keep condoms. You never know when you need one.
Diagramming Arguments
• Diagramming arguments is another way to expose them. You can
do this by first reading through the passage and then, by
numbering each statement in sequence. Then draw an arrow from
the statement number of the premise to the number of the
conclusion as follows:
Single support:
•
• [1] Jesse Robredo has been re-elected again for a third
consecutive term; therefore, [2] his fight against graft and
corruption and drugs will be continued.
Joint support:
• [1] If Nurses are in demand abroad, then a Nursing school would
be a very promising project. [2] Nurses are in demand abroad.
[3] Therefore, a Nursing school would be a very promising
project.
Independent support:
• [1] Priests make good politicians because [2] they are holy and
religious. [3]They fear God. [4]They are hardworking and [5]they
know the sentiments and needs of the people.
•
• The conclusion is statement 1 and the four distinct premises are
offered in support of the former. Note that these premises do not
need each other to provide support. This is called independent
support.
Independent support:
Extended argument:
•
• [1] Priests make good politicians because [2] they are holy and
religious. [3]They fear God. [4]They are hardworking and [5]they
know the sentiments and needs of the people. So, [6] if you want
a good politician, you should vote for a priest.
•
• The conclusion 1 is independently supported by premises 2 to 5.
From 1, it is further concluded that 6.
1
+
4
2
5
3
+
• [1] Lawyers make good politicians and [2] they enjoy a high-paying
profession. Therefore, [3] some good politicians enjoy a highpaying profession. Since [4] a high-paying profession makes a
person less likely to succumb to graft and corruption, [5] it follows
that some good politicians are less likely to succumb to graft and
corruption.