LANGUAGE OF ARGUMENTS

ARGUMENT

 Logical Analytical Dispassionate Objective

• Arguments must be supported by relevant facts, by relevant example,  by relevant statistics, or by other relevant data.
•  Arguments must be logical: DEDUCTIVE OR INDUCTIVE REASONING may be used.
•  Arguments should try to CONVINCE the reader (or listener) that one particular view is preferable to others, but must do so un-emotively.
•  Arguments must be based on FACTS, not on OPINIONS. Your presentation of the facts should be such as to make the validity of your argument obvious and compelling.

DEDUCTIVE REASONING:

• Syllogism: First premise + Second Premise = Conclusion.
• Moves from the general law or rule to the particular incidence or example.  

All the planets in the solar system are spheres. (First premise) 

The Earth is a planet in the solar system. (Second premise) 

Therefore the earth is a sphere. (Conclusion) 

• Not all syllogisms presented as deductive reasoning are true: All tigers are cats. Our pet is a cat. Therefore, our pet is a tiger. Always be on the look-out for false arguments which, following the correct order, appear to be true.

INDUCTIVE REASONING: 

• Begins with the particular incidence or example and moves to the general law or rule: establish the evidence and draw the logical conclusion.

John is a man (First premise) 

John is mortal (Second premise) 

Therefore all men are mortal (Conclusion) 

• Not all syllogisms presented as inductive reasoning are true: Joan is a woman. Joan is a teacher. Therefore all women are teachers. Always be on the look-out for false arguments which, following the correct order, appear to be true.

Examples of the use of the Language of Narration

Newspaper Editorials

Government Reports 

Medical Reports 

Financial Reports 

Legal proceedings 

Philosophical works 

Analytical theses 

Evaluations 

Recommendations 

Letters to the Editor * 

Barrister’s “arguments” * 

Debating Speeches * 

* Sometimes, but not always true