Lecture Notes: Complexities of Argumentation

Introduction

• Instructor: Dawn Knight, English teacher from Westfield High School, Indiana.
• Focus: Engaging students in understanding argumentation.
• Highlighted the unpredictable nature of live sessions with technology.

Warm-Up Activity

• Review of previous exam practice on complexities and nuances in arguments.
• Discussed the domestication of dogs and cats as an illustrative argument.
  • Dogs: Followed human hunters; provided protection and warning.
  • Cats: Associated with agriculture; helped in rodent control.
• Key sentence revision for refutation practice: "Although some argue..."
  • Correct answer (C): Highlights why wolves followed humans initially.

Key Concepts

• Counter Argument: Consider opposing arguments.
• Refutation: Use evidence to disprove counter arguments.
• Rebuttal: Present your own argument/perspective.
• Concession: Acknowledge opposing views to enhance credibility.
• Illustrated using a cats vs. dogs argument.

Unit 9: Complexities of Argumentation

• Engaging in ongoing conversations about subjects.
• Writers enhance credibility by addressing opposing arguments.
• Chief Reader Report (2018): High-scoring essays had nuanced, balanced arguments.

Argumentation Techniques

• Importance of addressing multiple perspectives.
• Using counter argument, refutation, rebuttal, and concession effectively.
• Example Argument: Dogs vs. Cats.
  • Thesis: "Dogs make better companions and promote health more than cats."
  • Refutation example: Dogs make owners more active than cats.

Argument Prompt: "Buy Nothing Day"

• Historical context and present-day relevance.
• Stakeholders: Politics, economy, culture, environment, ethics, corporations, small businesses.
• Activity: Identify important perspectives and stakeholder concerns.

Perspective Analysis

• Analyze perspectives within chosen lenses (politics, economics, environment).
• Exercise: Identify supporting and opposing viewpoints within these lenses.

Developing a Thesis

• Encouragement to write a complex thesis for "Buy Nothing Day."
• Examples of nuanced thesis statements.

Wrap-Up

• Focus on understanding complexities and tensions within arguments.
• Importance of considering implications and broader context.
• Practice exercise: Revise thesis and anticipate counter arguments.

Conclusion

• Students encouraged to continue practice and reflection.
• Emphasis on teacher support and care for student success.
• Reminder to complete practice questions for further discussion.