You may think of arguments as negative confrontations where two or more people cannot come to a reasonable resolution of their perceived differences. Argument, though, can be positive in the context of advocating the need for change. While you may be passionate about an idea for change, you will also want to be precise in how you design your argument in order to influence how a person thinks about your idea for change.
For this unit’s Discussion, go to the TED.com website ( http://www.ted.com/) and select a speech; you will then analyze the argument made by the speaker. Be sure to select a TED Talksvideo with a debatable claim so that you are able to address the questions below.
Before submitting your post, please review the following article, “How to Support an Argument and Avoid Logical Fallacies,” specifically the Toulmin Model section at https://kucampus.kaplan.edu/MyStudies/AcademicSupportCenter/WritingCenter/WritingReferenceLibrary/TheWritingProcess/HowTosupportAnArgumentAndAvoidLogicalFallacies.aspx
You will use the Toulmin Model to analyze the selected video. While the video does not need to relate to your chosen topic, it may help to choose a video that you can use as further evidence in an argument for change in your community or workplace.
After reviewing your selected video from TED.com, respond to the following prompts in paragraph format:
- Identify the claim, type of claim (a claim of policy, claim of value, claim of cause, ethical argument, proposal argument, etc.) , supporting evidence, and assumptions you think the speaker used in his or her argument.
- Describe what aspects of the argument you felt were particularly strong or weak.
- How will you use the Toulmin Model to strengthen an argument for change in your community or workplace?
