Break it Down

When we read essays and articles, it is often easy to tell what is being argued. But how often do we actually sit down to think about how an argument is being made? Here are some questions we can ask when we sit down to analyse an essay. You can find more details about these questions in the textbook that, by now, you have all memorized. Right?

1.      What kind of Argument is being made?

Are we dealing with rational arguments? (Logos)

Are we dealing with emotional arguments? (Pathos)

Are we dealing with moral/social arguments? (Ethos)

2.      What kinds of Claims are being made?

Claims of Fact                         Claims of Value                                  Claims of Policy

(Something is or was)             (Right or wrong, better or worse)       (Something should be)

3.      What type of Evidence is being used?

Examples (Real, Invented, Analogies) Testimony (Citations)              Statistics (Data)

4.      What Strategies are being used?

Classification              Cause and Effect        Comparison and Contrast

Definition                    Narrative                     Description