ARGUMENTATION

ARGUMENATION

Argumentation is generally defined as “the art of influencing others, through the medium of reasoned discourse, to believe or act as we wish them to believe or act.” It is the process of influencing the belief or behavior of a hearer or reader, through spoken or written speech, by supplying him with reasons and stirring his feelings.

Words are the medium used to appeal to the intellect and to the feelings; the medium is either written or spoken.

I should be noted that argumentation is a broader term; all debates are forms of argumentation but not all forms of argumentation are debates. For Debate on the other hand, is a formal direct oral contest in argumentation between two or more persons on a definite proposition at a definite time.

In Argumentation, there are two methods of approach . They are the appeal to reason, called conviction; and the appeal to the emotions, to the feelings, to the will, called persuasion.

The purpose of the appeal to the intellect is to create belief, or intellectual agreement, while the purpose of the appeal to the emotions is to stir those one desires to influence to act in the way one wishes them to act.

Conviction is that phase of argumentation whereby the arguer directs his words to the reasoning faculty of man. Persuasion, on the other hand, is that phase of argumentation whereby the disputant direct his words to the heart, to the feelings, to the sentiments, to the emotions.

“Conviction is the process that creates belief or disbelief through an appeal to reason; and persuasion is a process that creates belief or disbelief through an appeal to the emotions. Conviction makes the truth clear; persuasion makes it interesting. Conviction drives one to accept the truth; persuasion leads one to embrace it.

To have an effective argumentation, Conviction and Persuasion must be employed both. For Conviction alone will not suffice, an arguer may make his fellowmen see that his contentions are true; but it does not necessarily follow that he has made them adopt his ideas or theses as guides of conduct. On the other hand, neither persuasion will suffice, an arguer may employ an almost wholly emotional appeal, he may excite the moving impulses of his audience which he may not be able to control. Purely emotional appeal is fleeting unreliable.

In the work of Argumentation, there are processes must be observed. These processes are Invention, Selection, Arrangement and Presentation.

In the process of Invention, it chiefly concerned with the formulation of the proposition to be discussed.

In the process of Selection, it involves the study of how to conduct investigation and research, the nature of evidence, the forms of arguments and the fallacies.

In the process of Arrangement, it involves the application of the three great rhetorical principles – unity, coherence, and emphasis and the study of the mechanism of the brief and the outline.

Lastly, the Presentation, it involves the study of persuasion as a method of approach and the technique of the introduction, the discussion, of the conclusion, and the delivery.

In Argumentation, there is always a Subject; or the Proposition

A word or a term may not be the subject of argumentation, for a word or a term denotes a mere symbol of an idea or conception; it denotes some general concept existing in the mind; it does not assert an act of judgment to be affirmed or denied.

The subject of Argumentation must be a proposition. A proposition is defined as “an expression in words of an act of judgment,” And “an act of judgment is a mental assertion of something as true or untrue. A proposition is expressed in a complete statement, with a subject and a predicate. It allows an affirmative and a denial.

There are two classes of proposition namely, Proposition of facts and proposition of policy.

A proposition of fact is one concerned with the truth or falsity of an act or judgment, it settles the question: “Is the assertion true?” On the other hand, proposition of policy is one that is concerned with the wisdom or unwisdom, the expediency or inexpediency, of a course of action, it answers the questions: “Should it be done?”


Different forms of propositions. The proposition assumes various forms.

1. In a club, the proposition presented in the form of a motion from the fllor.
2. In a parliamentary body, the proposition is presented in any of the following forms: a bill, a resolution, or a motion.
3. In a municipal council, the proposition is presented in any one of the following forms: an ordinance, a resolution, or a motion.
4. In a court of law, the proposition is presented in a form of pleading. Pleading are found in the following forms: a.) Complaint, b.) Information, c.) Petition, d.) Motion

Characteristics of a proposition good for debate

1. The proposition must be in a form of an assertion.
2. The proposition must express only one act of judgment.
3. The proposition must be susceptible of only one interpretation.
4. The proposition must be unprejudiced.
5. The proposition should avoid abstractions and generalizations.
6. The proposition must be concise and simple.
7. The proposition must be worded that the burden of proof falls on the affirmative side.
8. The proposition must be interesting.