ABSTRACT

In everyday life, an argument usually means any kind of disagreement-who should clean up the room, did one member of a couple do what the other accused him or her of, and so on. Such arguments often end in screaming matches of “Did not!” “Did too!” Although many public arguments often unfortunately consist of similar screaming matches such as Crossfire and political attack ads, it is sometimes possible for personal arguments to be resolved on a more reasoned level, while we as critical citizens should always demand the same of public arguments. Thus the meaning of argumentation in responsible speaking or writing is not simply the expression of an opinion or attitude-though many people are confused on this point-but reasoned support for an opinion. To put it another way, when someone expresses a controversial opinion or assertion of truth, the critical citizen asks “Why is that true? How do you know that? What reasons or evidence do you have to support it?” If the person expressing the opinion can answer these questions with supporting reasons, she will be making an argument.