Real-World Arguments

In the Writing Arguments book, it stated that, “real-world arguments seldom prove anything.” This means that although a writer may supply and support an idea, they only make a case for the argument. The extent the argument would either, “strengthen the resolve of those who agree with you or weaken the resistance of those who oppose you.” Real-world arguments don’t have ‘grounded’ statements or beliefs, they are very abstract. These beliefs often go unstated, but this can lead to problems because the audience and the writer don’t “share the same assumptions.”

Since with a real-world argument you can’t change the opinions people have, we should learn the Toulmin System. The Toulmin system doesn’t just direct the argument to those who are already in favor, but also to those who are not. With the Toulmin system the opinions of the audience may change easier because, “it reminds us to answer opposing arguments fully, without rancor, and to present positive reasons for supporting our case, as well as negative reasons for disbelieving the opposing case.”