9/14 Reader Response
Here is a list that gives some useful supports that can be utilized in an argumentative paper:
-Data/Statistics: In the story “Working at McDonalds” Etzioni gives many statistics to support her argument that McDonald’s doesn’t improve teenagers lives. Also in the story “Children Need to Play…” the author gives statistics that prove the detrimental effect of sports on young children.
-Expert Opinion: In “Children Need to Play…” Stasky quotes experts to back up that children are effected negatively by competitive sports at a young age. In the Monty Python skit, the hired arguer gave an expert opinion about arguing, however the client had a better idea of what an argument was.
-Solutions: Again, in “Children Need to Play…” the author gives a solution to young children participating in sports by saying that their sports lessons could benefit them more by attuning the program towards their maturity levels.
-Examples: The two essays both cite examples that further argue their point with firm examples. The comedian in the Taxi Driver skit gave an example that took the taxi driver off-guard and helped to reinstate his point with fact.
In an argumentative essay it is imperative to use several forms of support throughout the writing. If there aren’t sources that back-up the argument in the essay, then the argument will be based upon emotions being as it will have no evidence behind why the one-side of the argument should be sided with. We use support to provide not only more substance to the argument, but also a deeper explanation to why we choose the side of the argument that we do. Using support in arguments provides a more believable argument. One is more likely to side with someone’s argument if they back up their side with examples, facts, statistics, etc. than if someone just tells what their stance is without any supporting arguments. For example, in the Taxi Driver argument the driver just says what he believes, showing that he was obviously affected by his emotions. He didn’t provide any supporting facts or examples, therefore he seemed hot-headed and rather ignorant. The comedian provided an exceptional rebuttal to the other side of the argument by backing up his thoughts with fact. In the end the argument seemed to weigh in the comedian’s favor because he was much more calculated in his words. Support is always needed in arguments. It is imperative to use support so that one will not seem ignorant to the opposing side of the issue.