Argumentation

4pts **I. Argumentation**

When argumenting you defend and justify your thoughts and you also argue about different solutions to given problems. Your arguments might be favoring something or against something. People might justify their ideas by using facts or opinions. Your job is to distinguish among facts and opinions and to be able to use them properly.

**II. Assignment:**

[] 1. What is a "syllogism"? Think of an example and write it down. 2. Then click on the link "using logic" and write a list of all the important words (key words) used when writing an argumentative paper. 3. Now click on "logical fallacies" and mention the types of logical fallacies that exist. Write an example of each one. 4. "Logic in Writing" is an esencial link for you to use when writing your argumentative essay. Please keepo it in mind and revise it when possible.
 * a. Please visit the following web page and read all about argumenting**. Please answer the following questions in your wiki

As I said before it is very important for you to determine if something is a fact or an opinion. Go to the following link and do the exercises. Please check your answers.
 * b. Fact or opinion**. Please do the following exercises

[]


 * c. Read the text "Special Relativity" in**: [] read it and extract the arguments the author gives, paste them in your wiki. Explain if the arguments are in favor or against the relativity of time theory.


 * ANSWERS:**

1. Syllogism is a kind of logical argument in which a proposition (the conclusion) is inferred from two others (premises) of a certain form. Example: If I say: Some cars are red and Toyotas are white; those would be me premises. The conclusion could be: There are no red Toyotas, eventhough there are red cars.
 * a**.

2. The argumentative paper would be an assertion of a conclusion based on logical premises. So, any word that states real information about the theme is a key word.

3. Slippery slope: If they restrict the use of cellphones in the university, eventually they would prohibit the use of laptops. Hasty generalization: By the look of this title, the book must be boring. Post hoc ergo propter hoc: She came to clases yesterday, so she must know the topics. Genetic fallacy: That graffiti looks great; it must have been drawn by a crazzy boy. Begging the claim: People should not kill. Circular argument: My mother is a great teacher because she really knows how to transmit ideas. Either/Or: You could either surrender or keep it up. Ad hominem: Hugo Chávez is a horrible president because of his personal interests. Ad populum: If you were a noble man you wouldn't cheat on her. Red herring: Stilling a bank may be dangerous, but who doesn't like some adrenaline in our lives. Moral equivalence: That little boy is as good as the Lord Jesus Christ.

4. Done.


 * b**. Done.

**c**. It is against it because they use (in the text) frases such as: they never..., Not least is the poor..., same old..., half truths..., misconceptions..., very little new material.., ignorant of the recent work..., I prefer to regard..., I believe (...) is wrong because..., etc.