9/11 Minutes

Hey guys, we didn't get to assign who was doing the class minutes for Friday, but in case anyone was absent, or just for the record, this is what we covered in class :

The Claim
- This is essentially the statement being argued - the assertion that the arguer would like to make
- Even though this is the part from which the writer starts to formulate the argument, it is actually the conclusion of the argument (since it's what the audience should believe in the end)
- Everything in the argument relates back to the claim (therefore if it doesn't, then it doesn't belong)
- It answers the question, "What is the author trying to prove?" "What is the bottom line?"

Variety (of claims that the Toulmin Model identifies)
1. Claims of Fact - focuses on empirically verifiable phenomena (based on evidence from the past)
2. Claims of Judgement/Values - involve opinions, attitudes, subjective evaluations (the present)
3. Claims of Policy - advocates courses of action to undertake (in the future)
- Each claim is equal in value but different in application
Example: 'It looks like it's going to rain' (Fact)
Explanation: Because we have a certain amount of past experiences (because when dark clouds were present, most of the time it rained), it's a fact because it can be empirically verifiable. If, however, I had said the statement even though the sky above me is perfectly clear and sunny, then it is no longer a claim of fact because someone else could very easily disagree with me and prove me wrong
- Most of the times, our claims are challenged, and this is when the grounds come in

The Grounds
- The basis of persuasion, the evidence/reasons/opinions/examples/facts gathered to bolster a claim
- It answers the question 'What additional information can the author offer?'
- The three types of argumentative supports are:
1. Facts - vivid, real, identifiable, and verifiable information of a more or less objective nature
2. Opinions - interpretations/reasoning (yours or that of other expert's) of relevant factual information
3. Examples - for the purpose of clarification and illustraion of facts and opinions
- Most importantly, argumentative support should be explicitly stated - not implied

Facts
- Various forms include:
1. Detailed reports of specific events ('I was there')
2. Statistics
3. Experimental results
4. Physical evidence
Example:
Claim - 'Needle exchange programs should be abolished'
Grounds - 'They only cause more people to use drugs'
Facts - (I forget the exact example Mr. Lazarow used in class..) 'Statistics have shown that there has been a 40% increase in the number of people who relied on drugs since the needle exchange programs had been enforced'

Opinions
- Statements involving opinion have an important role in argumentation
- While we've almost always been told that our own opinions are unecessary and less effective than facts when presented in an argument, the thing is, opinions can be just as persuasive when used in the right way
- Opinions cannot exist without facts from which they stem
- Opinions are a result of the interpretation of facts
- The majority of claims involve an expression of interpretation, rather than one of pure facts. Without interpretation, it is merely a meaningless factual statement
Example: 'Lady Macbeth uses the word 'blood' 27 times.'
Note: The question, 'But why?' arises, and therefore an interpretation/explanation is needed.
- One might ask, 'Whose opinions should we trust?' Renowned authorities? Credentialed experts? Family and friends? The thing is, no one source can really outweigh the rest. Depends on the situation, different opinions will be more valuable than others - the key is to know which to use.

-Julie W