Aspects of Argument

In literature, argument has grown to become one of the most popular forms of writing. The process of writing argument is very artistic and if written correctly, one argument can speak volumes. Although the word argument is usually associated negatively among the context or two different things, the term argument represents a debate and persuasion. The main purpose of writing argument is to convince others of a point of view and to defend that viewpoint. Within this style of writing, many assertions or claims are used so the author can define the topic through his eyes. This allows the author to dictate how the reader takes in the information, adding to the persuasion.

Throughout argument writing, the author will use three different appeals in order to significantly strengthen his debate. Logos, Pathos, and Ethos are each three unique appeals that complete the rhetorical triangle. These appeals allow the author to strategically align his argument in a way that will connect the writer, reader and message all together. Emotionally affecting the reader through the use of pathos can help the reader connect with the argument. Implementing the use of ethos builds the character of the author and makes him seem more credible. Also, the use of logos allows the use of statistics which renders an argument logical and factual. Each of these three appeals must be used effectively in order to create a well rounded argument.

Dating back to ancient Greece, famous philosopher Aristotle set up the format of what we now call the classical scheme of argument. Astonishingly, this same organizational technique is still used today to create the most convincing arguments. The approach he preaches is known as deductive reasoning because the claim is stated first and then supporting details follow throughout the text. The inverse of this, the inductive approach, is also used and provides its own advantages for appealing to readers. However, one of these styles should be adhered to in order to write an first-rate classical argument.

Argument or Debate?

Further Education and What We Want From It

In the excerpt from their book, When Hope and Fear Collide: A Portrait of Today’s College Student, authors Dr. Arthur Levine and Jeannette Cureton effectively comprise the changes of today’s education based on how individuals perceived a “perfect” education to be decades ago. Dr. Levine explains that the idea spread by John Henry Cardinal Newman is very bright and was once embraced but is no longer strictly adhered to anymore. With several grounding points of argument, the authors are capable of organizing the text in a way that makes understanding the information easier for the readers.

Immediately, the authors present the recent demographic transformations throughout the nation and that data alone makes it apparent that people are viewing their education differently today. Reports suggest that students are graduating older and more are in the workforce while they are studying. Many of these students stated they wanted a different type of relationship with their university. In previous times, residential living in study quarters was considered proper and necessary. Nowadays, however, more and more students are choosing to live away from campus and focus on the business of their everyday lives.

Also, the authors include a large section focused on the diversity and multiculturalism that is now seen in Universities across the nation. Dr. Levine also stated quoted a college student that it was a lot easier to talk about diverse issues in solitude rather than with large groups of people. Maybe this could be one of the reasons leading up to the fact that today’s college education isn’t the same as it was yesterday.

I believe the information in this excerpt is very credible and logical. From reading the text, it makes sense because I see much of the same things going on at the University I attend. I do believe that people want more and more and they aren’t satisfied with what they have now. Also, I will agree that this generation is definitely a “tired” one. I find this fact to be a bit disappointing because it is unfortunate that individuals rely so heavily on an objective, material lifestyle. All in all, I think Dr. Levine and Jeannette Cureton did an excellent job aligning this coercive argument.