An argument is a form of persuasive writing. This writing expresses a personal opinion or idea about a controversial and current political, social, economic, or religious issue, value, or dispute in a way that the opinion of the audience will potentially be swayed in favor of the writer's opinion. Arguments must be supported with facts and other evidence that can be proven and/or substantiated.
Think of an argument as being a triangle composed of the audience, claim, and writer. Who is the potential audience for this argumentative essay or speech? Are they inclined to like, dislike, or be neutral about the argument? What is the claim? How is it developed? Is the evidence adequate to convince the audience? Is the research limited to sources that support the claim? What is the writer's position and credibility: an authority or a concerned citizen? Remember that feeling strongly about an issue does not automatically enable a writer to argue about an issue effectively. The writer needs to back up the claim clearly and convincingly with current and accurate information.
When you evaluate an argument in a document or a speech you need to do two steps.
Student responses may vary. Acceptable answers include:
It is debated much among men of business, whether trade is at this time in a prosperous and thriving condition, or in a languishing and declining state; or, in a word, whether we are going backwards or forward. I shall not meddle with that debate here, having no occasion to take up the little space allowed me in anything remote from my design. But I will propose it as I really believe it to be: namely, that we are rather in a state of balance between both, a middle between the extremes; I hope we are not much declined, and I fear we are not much advanced. But I must add, that if we do not immediately set about some new methods for altering this depending condition, we shall soon decline; and on the contrary, if we should exert ourselves, we have before us infinite advantages of improving and advancing our commerce. This is stating it to the meanest understanding; there is no mystery at all; if you will apply, you will rise; if you will remain indolent and inactive, you will sink and starve. Trade in England, at this time, is like a ship at sea, that has sprung a leak in sight of the shore, or within a few days' sail of it; if the crew will ply their pump and work hard, they may not only keep her above water, but will bring her safe into port; whereas if they neglect the pump, or do not exert their strength, the water grows upon them and they are in apparent danger of sinking before they reach the shore. I do not tax the poor with mere sloth and negligence, idly lying still when they should work, that is not our grievance at present; for though there may be too much of that sort too, among a few of the loitering part of mankind, and they suffer for it sufficiently in their poverty, yet that, I say, is not the point, idleness is not here a national crime, the English are not naturally a slothful, indolent, or lazy people.
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