Nancy V. Wood
E5359 Argumentation

Phone: English Dept., 272-2692
email: woodnv@utarlg.uta.edu

Course goals:

l. To develop an understanding of theory and practice in reading and writing argument.
2. To develop and practice reading and writing assignments for argument.
3. To become familiar with styles and approaches to argument.
4. To develop a teaching plan and class syllabus for a college argument class.

Readings:

l. Aristotle, On Rhetoric, Kennedy translation.
2. Stephen Toulmin, The Uses of Argument
3. Chaim Perelman and L. Albrechts-Tyteca, The New Rhetoric: A Treatise on Argumentation
4. Nancy Wood Perspectives on Argument and Instructors Manual
5. Deborah Tannen, You Just Don't Understand
6. Nathaniel Teich, ed. Rogerian Perspectives
7. Perspectives on Written Argument, ed. Deborah P. Berrill
8. Material on file at the University Fast Copy Center

(l) Brockriede, "Where Is Argument?"
(2) Walker and Sillars, "Where Is Argument? Perelman's Theory of Values"
(3) Brockriede and Ehninger, "Toulmin on Argument: An Interpretation and Application"
(4) Bitzer, "Aristotle's Enthymeme Revisited"
(5) Young, Becker, and Pike, excerpts, Rhetoric: Discovery and Change
(6) Brent, "Young, Becker and Pike, 'Rogerian' Rhetoric: A Twenty-Year Reassessment"
(7) Becker, "Reasons for the Lack of Argumentation and Debate in the Far East"
(8) Fulkerson, "Transcending Our Conception of Argument in Light of Feminist Critiques"
(9) Walter J. Ong, Fighting for Life, excerpts.
(10) Hiu Wu, "The Enthymeme Examined from the Chinese Value System"

Writing:

l. Resource Notebook - the purpose is to organize class materials and also to preserve insights and ideas that will help you write the final paper and, later, teach the class. Include class notes and handouts, written papers, reflections and ideas, and reading notes as assigned. Include also one-page summary-responses of all books and articles except Wood. Due December 1.

2. A 500 word paper that analyzes an essay according to the Toulmin model. Due October 6.

3. A 750 word Rogerian argument. Due October 20.

4. A 2000-2500 word position paper about argument. Due November 24.

5. A 1200-1500 word teaching plan for argument that addresses the following matters:

a. Describe the purposes and goals of your argument class. Describe your larger values and theories about argument.
b. Describe how you will present theory and special terminology.
c. Describe your assignment sequence: both reading and writing.
d. Describe how you will create an inclusive classroom.
e. Describe what you will do the first day of class. Due December 8. (My box)

6. Syllabus for argument: your version. Include elements listed on page 132-133 in Teacher's Guide. Due December 8. (My box)

Reporting and Teaching:

1. Five-minute report on Toulmin analysis, October 6.
2. Five-minute report on Rogerian argument, October 20.
3. Chapter in Berrill, October 27
4. Practice teaching on an argument topic, November 17 and 24.

Basis for Grade (90-100=A; 80-89=B)

1. Reading, preparation for class and discussion 10%; teaching 8%;
oral reports 12% (3 reports; 4% each) 30%
2. Resource notebook 10%
3. Position paper on argument 30%
4. Final paper and syllabus 30%

8-25 Introduction to argument and college argument classes. Syllabus and assignments. Survey textbook and Instuctor's Manual. Key vocabulary and ideas.

9-1 Developing perspectives on argument. Identifying and testing arguable issues. The issue proposal.

Read: l. Wood, P on A. Table of Contents, Preface, Chapter l; Survey Reader. IM, Intro., Chapters l and 2, and the section in Chapter 3 that is about Chapter 1. ( Read the corresponding sections in Chapter 3 of the IM for Chapters 2-12 as you read each of the chapters.)
2. Brockriede, "Where Is Argument?" packet__________________
3. Perelman, The New Rhetoric, pp. 1-10; 13-47; 65-86; 218-220._________
4. Ong, "Contest and Other Adversatives,"packet___________

Read: l. Tannen, You Just Don't Understand, pp. 149-187___________
2. Becker, "Reasons for the Lack of Argumentation" packet___________ 3. Brent, packet___________
4. Fulkerson, packet______________
5. Wood, P on A , Chapter 2.

9-15 Adapting the reading and writing processes for argument; the rhetorical situation; summary response papers. The exploratory paper.

Read: l. Bitzer, "The Rhetorical Situation"____________
2. Wood, P on A, Chapters 3 and 4.

9-22 Propositional argument. Probable truth vs. certainty; syllogisms and enthymemes.

Read: l. Aristotle, On Rhetoric, pp. 3-181; 186-215; 220-228; 235-237; 244-253; 257- 259._________ and____________
2. Bitzer, "Enthymeme Revisited," packet____________
3. Hiu Wu, "The Enthymeme Examined from the Chinese Value
System," packet__________ 4. Wood, IM. pp. 15-18.

9-29 The Toulmin model: theory and applications. The Toulmin analysis paper.

Read: l. Toulmin, The Uses of Argument. Preface, pp. 1-145, with special focus on pp. 94-113___________________
2. Walker and Sillars, "Where is Argument? Perelman's Theory of Values?"_______________
3. Wood, P on A, Chapter 5.

10-6 Application of Toulmin model, types of claims and types of proof. Style; values and ethics of argument. Using argument theory for invention. The position paper that does not require research.

Read: l. Brockriede and Ehninger, "Toulmin on Argument," packet_______.
2. Wood, P on A., Chapters 6 and 7.

Write: Toulmin analysis, due today

Report: Toulmin analysis, 5 minutes

10-13 Rogerian argument. Compare Rogerian and propositional (classical) argument. Rogerian argument paper.

Read: l. Coe, "Classical and Rogerian Persuasion": Teich, pp. 83-107_________
2. Young, Becker and Pike, packet___________
3. Young in Teich, pp. l09-121______________
4. Teich in Teich, pp. 73-82_______________
5. Wood, P on A, Chapter 8 (excluding synthesis and M. L. King at end)

10-20 Synthesis and application of argument theory, part l: The "classics" of argument and argument and literature.

Read: l. Letter from Birmingham Jail, Wood, P on A, end of Chapter 8 Wood, P on A, Chapter 9

Write: Rogerian paper due.

Report: Rogerian argument; 5 minutes

10-27 Synthesis and application of argument theory, part 2: Argument in composition classes. Begin researched position paper on argument.

Read: Perspectives on Written Argument, Berrill

Report: Assigned chapter in Berrill. Include the big ideas and applications for instruction___________________________

11-3 Audience and purpose. Start position paper: issue proposal, exploratory paper, audience analysis, claim development, preliminary outline, research plan.

Read: P on A, Chapter 10

Bring to class: a topic for your position paper on argument

11-10 Invention, research, and writing. Worksheet on invention. Visit library.

Read: Wood, P on A. , Chapters 11 and 12

11-17 Teaching argument

Oral presentation: teach a topic related to argument- 15 minutes 11-24 Teaching Argument; Symposium on Final Papers

Oral presentation: teach a topic related to argument-15 minutes present position papers on argument in symposium format

Write: Position paper on argument due today

12-l Form teaching groups. Decision session for syllabus: Group work on (1) possible assignment sequence; (2) what to do with Reader. Report out.

12-7 Final papers and syllabi due in Wood's mailbox. These may be produced by groups.

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