Constructing an Argument

Arguments are an everyday situation and occur more than people realize. Even if you are arguing about something as trivial as your favorite television character or about something much more problematic like abortion you use common practices to get your points across. Arguments are made up of a certain equation and have rules of ethics that should be followed.

Arguments are nothing more than an explanation of why one believes something to be true (Ferraro). Arguments are often confused with Assertions. Assertions are not rare either; in fact, they are probably used more than arguments. An assertion is a simple or weak argument like, for example, you telling your friends that everything is wonderful. They could disagree and argue with you that everything is, in fact, not wonderful but they usually believe that you have underlying reasons for thinking so (Ferraro). Assertions are very much like small arguments; however arguments are much more memorable.

Arguments should always consist of an explanation of what you believe and why you believe it. Evidence to back up your opinion can be personal experiences, common sense, and an opinion or quote of someone with authority or high standing in society (Ferraro). The last step is making sure that your argument is appropriate for your audience and not wrongfully offensive to their age group, race, sexual preference, etc (Ferraro).

While writing your argument you should always be open-minded, honest, and you should not be deceptive with your audience. Ballard says that: "The point of arguing is to get closer to the truth. This should be the prime motivator... Admit your limitations. Theres probably no way that you can have at your fingertips all the facts concerning an issue. Theres also the possibility that you have been mislead by whatever source you use, or that you simply made a mistake. (Ballard)" No one likes liars and if you lie about one thing then your whole argument will be seen as false. You should also cite your sources and avoid mistakes since both can lead to plagiarism. Most mistakes come from working too fast so always be sure to refine your paper before you hand it in (Ballard).

H.J. Eysenck has created a set of rules that he advises anyone who is writing an argument or doing a public speech to follow. He admits that they are simple but usually overlooked. Never argue about something about which you are fundamentally ignorant (Eysenck). This rule could also go with the aforementioned rule of always being honest. If you act like you know something you are bound to lie and make up facts which could debunk your whole argument. Also, be very short and focus on your strong points because the audience could get bored or forget arguments you mentioned early on. (Eysenck). This will keep your audience interested, awake, and make you look organized and well-informed. Essentially, arguments are an everyday part of our life so it is very important to understand the underlying concepts, forms, and ethics that arguing involves. You should always research your subject, be honest, explain your position thoroughly, and concentrate on your main points. With this knowledge you will be able to argue thoroughly, honestly, and with all your heart for something you believe in.