Firstly I have to say that I was amazed by the analysis we did in class over Swift using Toulmin's argument structure! Maybe this is silly, or it makes me sound stupid...but I just thought it was so interesting to break down the sarcasm so scientifically! I mean, I've always understood sarcasm; I use it all the time. I've just never really thought about why it worked the way it did. Then it all just clicked in class while talking about warrants and I got all giddy for a minute.
I definitely think that Toulmin's argument structure can be used in all sorts of different ways in my life when I really want to make a point. Convincing your boss to give you a better raise, for instance, could be a lot easier if you take the time to think about the warrants you're implying in your argument. If you know what's important to your audience, it's easier to find apropriate data.I realize the following is a little unrealistic, but I don't really feel like begging for a raise right at the moment...so I can't come up with any great reasons for getting one.
Claim: Giving me a raise is important for you.
Data: If you don't I'll quit, and training new employees takes time and money.
Warrant: Time and money are very important to my employer.
More importantly, Toulmin's structure can give me the tools I need to really burn some dude I disagree with on a forum with my awesome argumentative skills.
Claim: Final Fantasy 8 is superior to Final Fantasy 7.
Data: Because I said so.
Warrant: I am always right.
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haha, you are a trip. I agree with you that if you know what is important to your audience, then you can make a warrant for just about anything...but I am just going to have to trust you about Final Fantasy
ReplyDeletehaha, here, here! i agree, breaking down sarcasm was quite interesting! It makes us feel a step above in a sense.
ReplyDeleteLoved the post. Quite funny. Your final point, though, is really quite provocative. Oftentimes, we expect people to be persuaded by us simply because, well, we think we are superior. My mom used to tell me "because I'm the mom" which was supposed to explain why I had no power. It works, though, only if the person who is reading you accepts you as an authority, whereas in the Final Fantasy example, people who don't know you can only analyze your ethos based on whether or not you know grammar. Such is why so many forums have people saying, "Did you see X's post. Did he even graduate from kindergarten?"
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