Ch. 6: Structuring Arguments
Everything’s an Argument: Assignment based on questions 2-3 page 172
Claims aren’t always easy to find; sometimes they’re buried deep within an argument, and sometimes they’re
not present at all. An important skill in reading and writing arguments is the ability to identify claims even
when they aren’t obvious.
PART 1. Read through the letters to the editor and blog posts below. For each item, write the
following:
A. Read the item and identify the CLAIM(S). Write all claims out on your paper.
B. Identify the EVIDENCE the writer uses. Bullet point/summarize the evidence that goes with each claim.
In parenthesis, write E, P, or L (Ethos/Pathos/Logos) to identify what appeals the writer is using.
C. Identify all of the WARRANT(S). Bullet point/summarize the warrants that go with each piece of
evidence.
Part 2.
Compare the claims that you identified for each of the items. Look carefully at the wording the
writers use to state their positions.
A. What words or phrases signal the claims?
B. Is there a common vocabulary?
C. What tone does each of the writers use? Is there anything in common here?
D. Which words are most effective? Why?
E. Which words are least effective? Why?
Part 3.
Look for the warrants behind each claim you identified in Part 1. Answer the following:
A. What words signal the warrants?
B. Is there a common vocabulary?
C. If I find myself agreeing with the letter writer, what assumptions about the subject do I share with
the writer? If I disagree, what assumptions are at the heart of that disagreement?
LETTER 1: ALL OF US SEEK BETTER LIFE
Sun Feb 9, 2014 8:06 PM
Regarding a response to Reyna Montoya’s My Turn column about immigration reform (“My family cannot afford hard
line on citizenship,” Opinions, Monday):
A letter writer blamed Montoya’s dad for creating their immigration woes (“Dad created immigration woes,” Letters,
Tuesday). What would you do for a better life for your family if you had the opportunity?
Our country is made up of generations of immigrants. Yes, at this point, there is a line to be drawn. However, the
dilemma that is at the crux of the controversy is what to do with those who have made their lives here in our fine
country of opportunity.
Why waste any more time blaming the government or the immigrants? We need to find a way to fix the issue to make
opportunity available to all who seek it. After all, we are all human beings, regardless of national origin.
I was raised in a family where my parents always wanted a better life for the children. I bet the letter writer was
probably raised the same way. So, why wouldn’t Mr. Montoya also want a better life for his children?
—Diana Chouinard, Peoria
Copyright © 2014 Arizona Republic
LETTER 2: BURKE'S BUGGY BAN
12:00 a.m. CST, February 6, 2014
I think Alderman Edward Burke's idea to do away with horse carriages is at best ridiculous. These carriages add a little
ambiance to our city.
There is the argument that the horses tie up traffic. Really? how much tying up is done compared to trucks, bicycles and
pedestrians taking their time crossing streets while totally absorbed with their cell phones.
Diapers are put on these horses so that's not a problem. And these animals are well fed and watered.
This is what horses do. They transport people by pulling wagons and having people ride them. Should we ban rodeos?
And what about all the people that would be out of jobs?
— Charlie Yates, Chicago
Copyright © 2014 Chicago Tribune Company, LLC
LETTER 3: TAKE A TRAIN
12:00 a.m. CST, February 6, 2014
Since early December, domestic airlines have cancelled not hundreds, not thousands, but tens of thousands of flights
due to bad weather. People have been massively inconvenienced, mail and other shipments have been late and the
airline companies have incurred huge financial penalties.
Yet politicians and transportation industries continue their vigorous opposition to expanding and improving rail
transportation. Yes, bad weather affects surface transportation too, but trains are usually delayed not rerouted or
cancelled altogether. Furthermore, a little more funding could keep tracks clear of deep snow as is proven in Switzerland
and other snow-rich nations.
The problem historically is that we view air and rail transportation as competitors. Anything that benefits one of them
hurts the other. We should instead have transportation companies. Let willing airline companies run trains, even buses.
They could establish hubs at airports and provide ticketing and baggage handling for mixed-mode itineraries that they
now provide for pure air. The reduction in short flights would eliminate the cost of new runways, more gates, and
redundant airport personnel. More importantly, those funds could be applied to upgrading and expanding rail service.
— Conrad Weisert, Chicago
Copyright © 2014 Chicago Tribune Company, LLC
LETTER 4: GIVE CYCLISTS A BREAK
February 7, 2014: Re "10 speeds to L.A.'s future," Column, Feb. 5
Thanks to Lopez for pushing a bolder vision for cycling in sunny Los Angeles. I love to bike, but it is frankly terrifying to do
it in L.A., even in my mid-city neighborhood.
It's not just the traffic that makes me tremble, it's the sorry state of the pavement, full of cracks and potholes that grab
my skinny road-bike tires and threaten to throw me over the handlebars.
Painting a stripe and the words "bike lane" over trench-riddled asphalt is a deadly joke.
Marta Gardner, Los Angeles
Copyright © 2014 LA Times