A RULEBOOK FOR ARGUMENTS
INTRODUCTION
What’s the point of arguing?
In this book, “to give an argument” means to offer a set of reasons or evidence in
support of a conclusion. Here an argument isn’t simply a statement of certain views or
a dispute. Arguments are efforts to support certain views with reasons. Argument is
essential, because it’s a way of finding out which views are better than others. We
need to give arguments for different conclusions and then assess those to see how
strong they are.
Here argument is a means of inquiry (= an act of asking for information). Also, once
we’ve arrived at a well-supported conclusion, we argue to explain and defend it. A
good argument doesn’t merely repeat conclusions, it offers reasons and evidence so
that other people can make up their own minds.
Arguments grow on you
Typically we learn to “argue” by assertion (= confident/forceful statement of
fact/belief). We tend to start with our conclusions (desires/opinions), without a whole
lot to back them up.
Real argument, by contrast, takes time and practice. Marshaling our reasons,
proportioning our conclusions to the evidence, considering objections, and all the rest,
are acquired skills.
CHAPTER ONE:
Short Argument - Short General Rules
Arguments begin by marshaling reasons and organizing them in a clear and fair way.
1. Resolve premises and conclusion
The very first step in making an argument is asking yourself what you’re trying to
prove. What’s your conclusion? The conclusion is the statement for which you’re
giving reasons. The statements that give your reasons are your premises. Once you
have your conclusion/belief, what are your reasons? You may need to state them for
yourself for clarity first, and then check that they’re good reasons. To get people
motivated you can use suiting examples. Even jokes can be arguments.
, In Rule 1—Resolve premises and conclusion— “resolve” has 2 different meanings.
One is to distinguish them. Your reasons are different from your conclusion!
Once you’ve distinguished, be sure that both are claims you want to commit to, the
second meaning. If so, proceed.
2. Unfold your ideas in a natural order
Arguments move. Reasons and evidence lead to conclusions. You want clarity,
efficiency, even grace. Each sentence should prepare the way for the next one. The
argument begins by stating its conclusion.This invites premises, and then a brief
reasoning. Though arguments could be laid out in different ways. Expect to rearrange
your argument several times to find the most natural order.
3. Start from reliable premises
If your premises are weak, your conclusion will be weak. Sometimes it’s easy to start
from reliable premises. You may have well-known examples or sources at hand. Other
times it’s harder. If you find you cannot argue adequately for your premise(s), try
other ones!
4. Be concrete and concise
Avoid abstract, vague, and general terms. Be brief too. Airy elaboration just loses
everyone. Rhyme and rhythm help too, but the most important thing is that his words
are sharp, simple, and few.
5. Build on substance, not overtone
Offer actual reasons; don’t just play on the overtones of words. It doesn’t work when
you offer no evidence for your conclusion, just emotionally loaded words. Don’t let
the emotional charge of the words do all the work: it won’t fly. You’re exactly where
you started. Overtones may persuade sometimes, but here we look for actual, concrete
evidence.
Likewise, don’t try to make your argument look good by using emotionally loaded
words to label the other side. Try to figure out their view, understand their reasons. In
general, if you can’t imagine their views, you probably just don’t understand it.
