Do you know what it means to argue? And what does an argumentative text consist of? When we argue about a topic or idea, we try to convince or persuade the recipient to think that way.
But it can be argued through different kinds of arguments, and in different ways. In this article we will know the 10 types of argumentsIts definition, characteristics, examples and how to use them successfully.
Argumentation and argumentative texts
Argumenting implies looking for ideas or concepts that allow to defend a concrete ideaand through it, persuade or convince another person to think the same way. Thus, the argumentation can be done through an argumentative text, that is, a written document that gathers all these ideas and arguments. We will use this text to persuade the recipient.
In this way, when we argue we try to get the other person to end up sharing our opinion. or our vision of things (or of a certain theme). In other words, the argumentative text implies the communicative intention to persuade or convince. To achieve this we must provide solid reasons, arguments and explanations, which can be of many kinds.
Practically everything can be argued: religion, politics, education, ethics, values, science, etc. When are argumentative texts especially used? In opinion debates, round tables, etc.
How to successfully use the 10 types of arguments
Let’s look at the 10 types of arguments that exist, although there may be some more. These, in particular, will be classified mainly according to what they are based on in order to defend certain ideas.
1. Argument based on authority
The argument based on authority consists of an argument where testimonies from people or professionals are used in their field, who are usually experts on a subject.
Quotations, famous phrases, examples, etc. can also be used, as long as they are related to an important figure or specialist in the subject we are defending (that is, that those ideas are defended by those people).
To successfully use an authority argument, Ideally, it should be a solid argument. and representative, that connects with the central theme that we are dealing with; it is not only useful if it is an explanation or idea of a relevant figure.
This type of argument can serve to reinforce our ideas or hypotheses through an explanation made by an expert or a prestigious person and/or who has achieved successes in this matter. An example of this would be: “According to experts in psychology, people who talk a lot…”
2. Argument based on the majority
The next of the argument types is the majority based argument. Perhaps less effective than the previous one, it consists of resort to what most people think or think in relation to a topic, to reinforce our ideas.
Thus, in order to use it successfully, it must be emphasized that many people think in the same way, which implicitly means that it is “logical” or common sense to think so (although, evidently, not always what most people think is right or true).
An example of a majority argument would be: “Most people think smoking is bad, so…”
3. Knowledge-based argument
Also known as argument based on experiencethe knowledge argument is fundamentally based on data. These data will help us to better defend and represent our ideas. Thus, this type of argument is based, on the one hand, on general knowledge and, on the other, on the experiences we are living.
In this way, it allows us to illustrate examples of how we have felt in certain situations, or what we have lived in relation to a specific theme (the theme we are defending), and so on. It also extends to third parties (e.g. to defend our idea through the experiences of people close to us).
To use it successfully, this type of argument must be real, that is, it is better that we do not invent experiences or that we do not exaggerate them; thus, it must be credible and represent situations that can also happen to others. An example of this would be: “This situation happened to me and I lived it this way…”
4. Cause-effect argument
The next of the argument types is cause-effect. This alludes to a specific way of asking questions: for example “…”.if you drink a lot of water, you will retain less fluid”.
In other words, as its name suggests, it carries implicitly a cause and an effect derived from that cause. To use it successfully we must use a true cause, one that makes sense and actually causes such a consequence or effect.
In addition, it is a good idea to use general causes and effects, that is, not to reduce our statement to a specific and isolated case.
5. Argument based on examples
Examples are also types of arguments. Examples can be used for virtually any argument; a good way to use them is to list a few but not to “overdo it”, as the reader or listener may become saturated or lose the thread.
6. Argument in favour
The arguments in favour are those that are in accordance with our hypothesisi.e. they validate it, they confirm it. For example, “quitting smoking is good for your health because it reduces your risk of cancer. In order to use them, ideally they should provide relevant and contrasted data.
7. Argument against
These types of arguments would be the opposite of the previous ones. Indicate reasons for refuting a particular hypothesis (or to confirm it), depending on the case. They focus on devaluing something, demonstrating the disadvantages of certain actions, situations, etc.
They try to convince the listener or the reader that “X” is not beneficial; for example “smoking increases the risk of cancer, dries the skin, darkens the teeth…”
8. Argument based on descriptions
The eighth of the argument types is the so-called descriptive or description-based argument. As its name suggests, it relies on the use of descriptions to defend an idea.
Descriptions involve gathering different details or aspects of a situation to explain what it is like. To use them successfully, we can opt for detailed descriptions but not too extensive; these details must also be meaningful and illustrative and enrich the text.
9. Argument based on definitions
The argument based on definitions is based on explanations of what things are, what certain concepts are used for, etc.
For these kinds of arguments to be effective, we must watch how we use themIn addition, their use varies depending on the context, the moment, etc.
An example of the same would be: “tables are furniture that can be made of wood, but also of metal, or of other types of materials…”.
10. Argument based on values
The following type of argument is based on values; that is, these types of arguments focus on highlighting ethical or moral values of oneself and/or the idea that we are trying to defend.
To use them successfully, we can choose to use them especially when we deal with philosophical or moral issues. They allow us to reinforce our ideas along the path of justice and morality. For example: “Lying is unethical because it hurts people…”.
Bibliographic references
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Anscombe, J.C. and Ducrot, O. (1994). Argumentation in the language. Madrid, Gredos.
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Campagna, M.C. and Lazzeretti, A. (1998). Logic, argumentation and rhetoric. Buenos Aires, Byblos.
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Plantin, C. (1998). The argumentation. Barcelona, Ariel (Ariel Practicum).