Ch. 4 Responding to Arguments CR

Claim of fact: A neutral evaluation of how the author presented their argument and/or support (a statement)

Comparing Two Arguments: Neutral analysis of their contrasting points

Claim of value: An opinion plus justification of the author's argument or how they presented it (a judgment)

Comparing Two Arguments: Compare their validity or effectiveness in persuading the audience

Claim of policy: Explains what further actions should be taken, unusual for argument analysis (probably don't use)

Present the other author's view (suggest at the end your point of view)

Using your own original words

Using direct quotations from other author

Introduce your point of view, in relation to the other author's

1. Introduce author's point of view

2. Insert own view on argument's topic

Agree in Part

1. Identify what point(s) of argument you agree with

2. Insert qualifier, explain part(s) of argument you do not agree with

"Separate out what is correct and what is not" (Rottenberg, Winchell 117)

3. Explain why the points you disagree with are invalid

Correcting a "distortion or misstatement of fact" (Rottenberg, Winchell 117) to establish neutral truth or create interpretation more favorable to your view

1. Identify the other author's faulty claim

2. Present your evidence that contradicts the mistake

Explain Two Different Views (on same topic) and Provide Your View

1. Identify what points of both arguments are different

2. Express how your view differs/agrees with one or both arguments

Clarify Another Author's Argument

More clearly define the conclusion of other author's argument

Emphasize one point of other argument that was not amplified

Give authors credit for any ideas that are not originally yours

When summarizing, mention the author and location in text of borrowed ideas

When paraphrasing, mention the author and location in text of borrowed ideas

When quoting, mention the author and location in text of quoted words

Cite texts from Works Cited in text and in parentheses

Make sure you are correctly documenting sources that are not simple (multiple authors, long quotes, web sites, etc.)

Responding to a Single Argument

Body divided in sections:

1. Generalize your point of view of the argument

2. Provide specific points/examples from argument that support generalization

Comparing Two Arguments

Point-by-Point Comparison: Discuss "each point about Subject A and Subject B together before...the second point, where again both subjects are discussed" (Rottenberg, Winchell 114)

Parallel order comparison: Make parallel points, in the same order, for Subject A in the first half and Subject B in the second half

Need to show you fully understand all essential points of argument by providing support

1. Summarizing: It involves "shortening the original passage as well as putting it into your own words" (Rottenberg, Winchell 119).

Shows that you understand and can restate another's ideas

2. Paraphrasing: Repeat the source in your own words, but same length of other passage

Use it "when you want to capture the idea but there is nothing about the wording that makes repeating it necessary" (Rottenberg, Winchell 120).

3. Quoting: Directly quote from other author's passage

Applies to "a statement that provides succinct, irrefutable evidence for an issue you wish to support" (Rosenberg, Winchell 120)

Present authority of author: Their position, institution, publications, or other important facts

1. Incorporate quote in own unique sentence

2. Use a speech tag ("____ writes...")

3. Introduce with own explaining sentence, separate from quote with a colon (:)

Plagiarism: Presenting another author's words or ideas as your own original without acknowledging your source

Insert source info when quoting while taking notes on a text

Notify readers of your paper where another author's ideas start/stop

Giving credit to the author:

Shows your integrity and serious academic attitude

Allows reader to check that you are not misusing source material

Increases ethos of the sources/experts you are using for support