Argumentative Discourse: Structure and Types of Arguments
Argumentative Discourse
Argumentative discourse responds to the communicative intent or purpose to convince or persuade. In other words, the speaker seeks to produce a change in attitude or opinion in the receiver. The importance of this type of discourse lies in the possibility of inducing, modifying, refuting, or stabilizing beliefs or ideas in the target, while resting on ideological assumptions, i.e., world views associated with it.
The Enunciation
The enunciation of this type of discourse implies that the partners do not share the same view about a particular topic. Importantly, the content usually developed in the argument is controversial, i.e., there is no clear consensus on them. It is important to note that the power of decision by the listener and the speaker’s need to develop strategies to convince or persuade show that the relationship established between them is symmetrical. If, however, it was an asymmetrical relationship, the transmitter would only impose their point of view, revealing its hierarchy from the receiver.
Structure of Argumentative Discourse
The structure of argumentative discourse is made up of three categories:
- Thesis: Hypothesis or premise to prove.
- Arguments: “In the logical sense, it is the reasoning used to prove or disprove a thesis or to convince someone of the accuracy or validity of an assertion. In Greco-Roman Rhetoric, ‘argument’ is the number of deductive reasoning based on data for a cause, which, in forensic speech, evidence was adduced as rational (probation) in the defense of innocence or guilt of the defendant.” (Estébanez: 55 – 56).
- Conclusion: Generally, it validates the hypothesis or thesis, be it explicit or implied.
Types of Arguments
Based on Data and Facts
In both cases, the data is irrefutable, as it rests on provable facts or statistics.
Example of fact: The thesis pollution damages health can be supported by the fact that in polluted cities, respiratory diseases have increased.
Example of data: The thesis there is a relationship between increased concentration of particulate pollutants and the number of respiratory illnesses and deaths is supported with the following: Each time the concentration of particles increases by ten micrograms per cubic meter of air, the number of deaths from heart attacks increases by 1.4% and cases of respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis by 3.4%. Cases of asthma attacks rise by 3%.
Based on Causal Relationships
Some information works as a cause and another as an effect.
Example: Prolonged use of this medicine may cause stomach ulcers.
Based on Definitions
It supports a thesis using a definition.
Example: What is syncytial virus? The syncytial virus is a respiratory disease that occurs in patients of any age, but with varying severity. In infants and toddlers, it is the major cause of the virus and causes severe and serious obstructive bronchopneumonia.
In the above example, the syncytial virus is defined and its effects are identified as part of the prevention campaign waged by the Ministry of Health.
Based on Comparisons
By comparing, the information is organized on similarities and differences and from that comparison, it supports the thesis.
Based on Descriptions
The thesis is based on a description.
If the thesis is: “There are huge opportunities for tourism and recreation offered by Puerto Varas, this beautiful lake city of the X region.”
Our argument, based on a description, is as follows: “Framed by Lake Llanquihue, Puerto Varas maintains until today the historical influence of the German colony in the mid-nineteenth century, which began to populate the area and whose legacy is reflected in the cuisine and architecture. It also has a casino that each summer offers a variety of billboard shows, happy hours, buffets, and three bars. Around the lake, the landscape is one of the main attractions due to large cypress forests and indigenous ulmos flora.”
Based on Narratives
In some cases, the narrative is used to support a thesis.
Based on Authority
It uses the name of an authority or a reputable institution to support a thesis.
Example: The human brain has the ability to anticipate danger. Scientists at the University of Washington have demonstrated an ability to read clues in the environment, which for others may be imperceptible, which would allow some people to intuit what is going to happen. They identified a brain area that acts as an early warning system and this system, they say, would have been the reason, for example, that Asian Indians followed the animals that escaped the tsunami in December 2004.
Based on Values
It refers to values to defend a thesis.
Example: Access to justice is a right for all, not a privilege of some.
This text emphasizes the social value of justice as an argument.