The 7 C’s of Argumentation
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Adapted from Inquire: A Guide to 21
Century Learning (2012 ed.)— King, Erickson, Sebranek
Writer’s Inc.: A Student Handbook for Writing & Learning (1996 ed.)—Sebranek, Meyer, Kemper
Consider the situation
1.
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What is the topic?
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What is my purpose?
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Who is my audience?
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What action do I want my audience to take?
Clarify your thinking
2.
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What are you trying to prove?
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Why do you feel the way you do?
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What kind of proof do you have?
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Who will be affected by this?
Teaching Writing Strategy: Students complete one of the following: a Pro/Con chart , a Toulmin
outline, or a Think in Threes graphic organizer
Construct a claim (thesis statement)
3.
A claim is the position statement or the key point of your argument
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Three types of claims: claim of fact—state something is true or not true; claim of
value—state something has or doesn’t have worth; claim of policy—assert something
should or shouldn’t be done
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Claims may contain one or more reasons you will prove
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Write claim as one coherent sentence
Collect evidence
4.
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Facts
Analysis
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Examples
Prediction
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Definitions
Demonstration
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Comparison
Expert opinions
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Statistics
Anecdotes/Reflections/Observations
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Experience
Quotations
Teaching Writing Strategy: Students need to learn how to identify faulty logic. This is an appropriate
place to discuss faulty thinking. See attached handout.
Consider key objections—Develop counter arguments
5.
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Point out flaws/weaknesses in arguments on the other side or arguments you don’t accept
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List objections
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Recognize or concede another viewpoint when claim has true weaknesses. This adds
believability to overall claim.
Teaching Writing Strategy: Students need to learn concession starters—transitional phrases that
demonstrate they understand the value of other viewpoints. These include:
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