Chapter 8 Arguments of Fact ~Understanding Arguments of Fact: -Arguments of fact report on what has been discovered/explore implications of that

t new info and the conflicts it may create. -Make public aware of info thats already available to anyone who is willing to explore. -Various publics, national or local, need well-reasoned factual arguments to make well-informed decisions; this educates audiences. -Corrective arguments: based on studies written by scientists, researchers, or thinkers. Ex: many ppl believe talking on cellphone while driving is similar to listening to radio. However, more scientific studies suggest using cellphone in car is comparable to driving under influence of alcohol. As result, some states banned use of cell phones in cars. - broaden readers perspectives & help make judgments on basis of better info. - Before you can explore causes/solve problems, need to know facts. ~Characterizing Factual Arguments: -tend to be driven by perceptions & evidence. Writer first notes something new or different or mistaken & wants to draw attention to the fact. Explore questions such as What If? Or How Come? -lead quickly toward hypotheses. To support hypotheses, have to uncover evidence that reaches beyond casual observations that triggered initial interest. -some pieces of evidence are more convincing than others. ~Developing a Factual Argument: -Factual arguments you compose will be shaped by occasion for argument & audiences you intend to reach. +Identifying an Issue: -look for contradictions/tensions in local or national communities. Or explore questions that have been formulated but havent yet examined in detail. -preliminary research & reading allows you to move from mere interest to a hypothesis. Can think of hypotheses as works of progress. +Researching Your Hypothesis: -Find information in libraries & Web. Task later on will be to separate best sources from all the rest. -Primary sources are good. Sometimes, might be able to do it when subject is local & resources are available. Conducting surveys is an example. +Refining your Claim: -As you learn more about subject, might revise hypothesis to reflect what discovered. -Qualifiers: words & phrases such as some, few, for most people,etc. are among most valuable tools. +Decoding which Evidence to Use: -often, may only have limited # of words/pages to make factual argument. Need to present best evidence powerfully as possible. Can do this w/ few examples. Too much info presented or presenting info in an uninteresting way undermines a claim. +Presenting your Evidence: -Talking about facts about subject isnt the same as knowing, especially when your goal is to educate & persuade audiences. Must take care of how you present your evidence. +Considering Design & Visuals: -If have lots of examples, might present them a list (bulleted, for example) & keep language in each item roughly parallel. Powerpoint is a good software. +Key Features of Factual Argument: -make sure to do the following: -describe situation that leads you to raise questions about what the facts in a given situation might be. -make a claim. Claim can be presented as a hypothesis or thesis. -offer substantial & authoritative evidence to support your claims. -in academic situations, a claim typically comes first, & the evidence comes after, however its not unusual for arguments of fact to present evidence first & then build toward claim or thesis.