14a Understand what counts as argument.

Although winning is an important purpose of argument, it is by no means the only purpose.

TO WIN The most traditional purpose of academic argument, arguing to win, is common in campus debating societies, in political debates, in trials, and often in business. The writer or speaker aims to present a position that will prevail over some other position.

TO CONVINCE Often, out-and-out defeat of another’s position is not only unrealistic but undesirable. Instead, the goal might be to convince another person to change his or her mind. Doing so calls on a writer to provide compelling reasons for an audience to accept some or all of the writer’s conclusions.

TO EXPLORE AN ISSUE Argument to explore an issue or reach a decision seeks a sharing of information and perspectives in order to make informed choices.

Arguments

TALKING THE TALK

“Argument seems so negative—I don’t want to attack anybody or contradict what someone else says.” Sometimes—in law courts, for example—argument may call for attacking an opponent’s credibility, and you may have used the word argument to describe a conversation in which the speakers said little more than “I did not!” and “You did, too!” But in college writing, argument usually means something much broader. Instead of attacking or contradicting, you will be expected to explore ideas and to work toward convincing yourself as well as others that these ideas are valuable.

Checking whether a statement can be argued

At school, at home, or on the job, you will often need to convince someone or decide something. To do so, start with an arguable statement, which should meet three criteria:

  1. It attempts to convince readers of something, change their minds about something, or urge them to do something—or it explores a topic in order to make a wise decision.
  2. It addresses a problem for which no easily acceptable solution exists or asks a question to which no absolute answer exists.
  3. It presents a position that readers might realistically have varying perspectives on.
ARGUABLE STATEMENT Advertising in women’s magazines contributes to the poor self-image that afflicts many young women.

This statement seeks to convince, addresses a problem—poor self-image among young women—that has no clear-cut solution, and takes a position many could disagree with.

UNARGUABLE STATEMENT Women’s magazines earn millions of dollars every year from advertising.

This statement does not present a position; it states a fact that can easily be verified and thus offers a poor basis for argument.