Unit 4: Unit 4: Constructing a Strong Argument – Discussion

Discussion

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, you will use the Toulmin Model to analyze your argument for change.

Before submitting your post, please review the following podcast, “Argument and the Toulmin Model,” The transcript is available at

https://kuportal-a.akamaihd.net/ascmedia/kuwc/podcasts/38toulminargument.pdf 

Then, respond to the following prompts in at least two well-developed paragraphs:

Share your revised thesis statement and identify the claim and warrant in that statement. Will the audience be likely to agree with your warrant, and if not, how might you revise the thesis?

Which of the logical appeals might be most useful to emphasize, and what logical fallacies might you need to avoid with this argument? 

Here is an example of a thesis statement with the claim and warrant:

Thesis: The United States should abolish capital punishment because it does not reduce the crime rate.
Claim: The United States should abolish capital punishment.
Warrant: (may not be directly stated): If something does not reduce the crime rate, then it should not be used.

To earn full participation credit, you will need to respond substantively to at least two peers’ initial Discussion posts and show active engagement in the discussion as described in the grading rubric. These responses should stay on topic and generate further discussion by asking questions, mentioning relevant examples, and if possible, referencing concepts from the unit Learning Activities. 

All Discussion posts and responses to peers should be written in complete sentences using Standard American English. Before posting, proofread for grammar, spelling, and word-choice issues. Be sure to respond fully to every aspect of the Discussion. 

When you refer to concepts from the unit’s Learning Activities, be sure to use a signal phrase like “According to . . .[name of reading].” If you are directly quoting the Learning Activities or another source, be sure to use quotation marks and cite the source using proper APA in-text citations and full references. Kaplan University Writing Center has resources on APA citation formatting.

https://kucampus.kaplan.edu/MyStudies/AcademicSupportCenter/WritingCenter/WritingReferenceLibrary/ResearchCitationAndPlagiarism/Index.aspx

You can review a sample Discussion post and response to a peer by clicking on the following link: Unit 4 Sample Discussion Assignment.

You can review the rubric the instructor will use when determining your Discussion grade by clicking on the following link: Discussion Assignment Grading Rubric.

Discussion

My Revised Thesis Statement:

In today’s technology driven world there is no longer a need to print copies of textbooks. Tablets offer access to endless resources and are known to have educational advantages, which printed copies do not offer. By replacing textbooks with tablets there will be no limitations on education and in the long run students will evolve into more productive technology savvy adults.

Claim:

In today’s technology driven world there is no longer a need to print copies of textbooks.

Warrant:

If replacing textbooks with tablets offers access to endless resources and is known to have educational advantages, which printed copies does not offer than the change should not be of question or debate.

Ethos

Teachers agree with the idea of tablets because not only would it save 
their time, it would be less of a struggle for
them. 

Logos

With technology, more people are replacing books with tablets as its shown in store sales. Also, students are known to have a habit of destroying their books and it becomes a waste of money.

Pathos

Students will have more fun learning and would get things accomplished. School will become more exciting for students to go and learn.

Logical Appeals that might be most useful to emphasize:

Educators can point to many positives of digital books. Tablets can Easily

Update information and assignments, High-resolution audio and video illustrate and reinforce concepts, and with online assignments, students gain the ability to interact with the material they’re learning. (Rock, 2012)

Logical Fallacies that I might need to avoid with this argument:

All the con’s supported and emphasized on different web sites. Having enough supportive information to prove my argument is valid.

REFERENCES

ProCon.org. (2016, August 19). Tablets vs. Textbooks. Retrieved from ProCon.org: http://tablets-textbooks.procon.org/

Rock, M. (2012, 10 5). The Future of Education: Tablets vs. Textbooks. Retrieved from Mashable: http://mashable.com/2012/10/05/tablets-vs-textbooks/#O4W8dbP4Hsqg