According to Ramage, Bean and Johnson, authors of Writing Arguments, arguing is often pleasurable. It is a creative and productive activity that engages us at high levels of inequity and critical thinking, often in conversation with people we like and respect (Ramage, et al 2). I have never thought of the word argument being anything but, as the authors suggest, connoting ager and hostility but in the context of this chapter, the opposite is just that. What the authors are describing in this chapter is that the word argument has much more meaning and complexity behind it and as the chapter goes on further into detail, I am enlightened on not just what the word means but how to use arguing in my everyday life.
Ramage, Bean and Johnson urge readers to take a normal, everyday dialect and dissect the meaning behind the words. Sure a harmless conversation can take a wrong turn in a matter of seconds, but if you understand that what you are saying is based upon persuasion and reasoning, the same conversation can turn into an argument that is both positive and educational. The example used by Ramage, Bean and Johnson regarding the conversation between young person and parent is a perfect declaration of how an argument is used to empower both parties involved as well as uses that situation to examine their own words and meanings of their words to further their persuasive argument.
When asked to discuss a certain topic that I am very passionate about, for instance, Specific Breed Legislation, I can very easily articulate my view, argument and opinion of which side of the fence I am on in this certain situation. However, if the person I am having the discussion with decides to take the conversation deeper and starts giving their view, argument and opinion on why my stance is wrong, I get very defensive and on the attack. Instead of just listening and making my first obligation of my argument about truth, as Ramage, Bean and Johnson suggests people should do, I make it about winning the argument, as Ramage, Bean and Johnson suggests most people usually do. By evaluating, understanding, exploring ideas and thinking dialectically, which are all components of an argument; it is easier to form an argument in a more persuasive manner thereby getting the point across to the listener about what exactly you are arguing about.
Works Cited
Ramage, John D., John C. Bean and June Johnson. Writing Arguments: A Rhetoric with Readings. New York: Longman, 2010
Erin's summary is an excellent explanation of one of the biggest issues in writing arguments: it is the difference between winning the argument and, on the other hand, actually entering with the idea of learning rather than convincing. Like Erin, I have always been much more focused on winning, particularly on topics or ideas that are emotional for me, close to home, or specific to my own intimate experience. When one of these topics arises, I tend to throw up the wall; I don't really care what the opposing view(s) is/are. I want to convince the person with whom I'm talking that I am right, period.
ReplyDeleteRamage, Bean and Johnson suggest that "argument" is for discovering the truth about the opposition as much as it is about persuading someone else that we're right. This means that we must do as much listening as we do talking...as much reading as we do writing.
Unfortunately, our culture has not given us many good examples of this type of argument. Instead, we see many more "point/counterpoint" programs on cable news outlets. Because of sound bites and quick hit news, these organizations must distill complex issues to black and white statements that belie the real complicating issues behind the larger issues.
Ramage, Bean, and Johns suggest a completely counter-cultural way of thinking about argument.