Argument+Mapping

Arguments, Examples, and Explanations.

As you all know, examples and explanations are not arguments. I'm sure you even know why- however, I'm including these notes a quick reminders for those who might be able to use them.

Arguments:

A basic argument is composed of a contention(claim to knowledge) and its supporting premisses (reasons why we should accept the contention as valid). There really can only be an argument made if there is at least the possibility of dissagreement. There is no point in attempting to argue what everyone already agrees about.

Explanations



A basic argument map looks something like this:

Contention |                  |                   |  Premiss1 + Premiss 2

Socrates is mortal |                            (because) | All men are mortal + Socates is a man (AND)

In effect your contention is both a claim to knowledge that can be used as a premiss in an argument, as well as a conclusion from a previous series of premisses. What argument mapping is concerned with is finding out how and