Many people try to avoid arguing because they do not like conflict. Still, an argument does not need to be nasty. In fact, it is an excellent opportunity to share different opinions about a topic. Strong arguments are based on reason and logic. In an effective argument, you state a claim, present reasons to show why the claim is valid, and then provide evidence to prove that the reasons make sense.
Read the two arguments below. Which do you think is more effective?
Argument 1
Katya: Of course, folk music is better than rock music! It’s more fun to sing, and you don’t need instruments. Anybody can sing it.
Harper: That’s crazy! Folk music is so old-fashioned. Nobody listens to it anymore. I like pop music much better.
Argument 2
Katya: Folk music deserves respect because it is one of the oldest forms of music. It has been around for centuries! It lasts because it expresses universal ideas and themes, and it doesn’t require you to know how to play an instrument.
Harper: Even though I’m not a big fan of folk music, I agree with the points you made. In addition, I think that some pop music is based on folk music, so folk has value.
The second argument is more effective. There, Katya makes a claim about folk music and backs it up with a reason and some evidence. This evidence persuades Harper to agree that folk music deserves respect and has value.
Which argument is more effective, and why?
The second argument is more effective, and here's why:
1. **Clear Statement of Claim**: In the second argument, Katya's claim is more articulately stated, which is that "folk music deserves respect because it is one of the oldest forms of music."
2. **Reasons Provided**: Katya gives clear reasons for her claim—folk music's longevity and its ability to express universal ideas and themes without the need for instrumentation.
3. **Evidence Substantiation**: The reasons are supported by evidence or examples – the age of folk music (centuries-old) is provided as proof of its lasting quality.
4. **Organized Structure**: The second argument presents a logical structure: claim, reason, and evidence, making it easier to follow and understand.
5. **Respectful Tone**: Harper's response in the second argument is respectful, acknowledging Katya's points even though Harper prefers pop music. This shows an effective argument can lead to mutual respect and understanding, not just winning over someone completely.
6. **Engagement and Persuasion**: In the second argument, Katya successfully engages Harper, bringing him to at least partially agree with her perspective. It demonstrates that an effective argument can persuade others to see merit in a viewpoint even if they have different tastes.
In contrast, in argument 1, while both Harper and Katya express their preferences for different music genres, neither provides a solid reason or evidence to support their claims; their argument is based more on personal tastes rather than logical reasoning. It's more of an exchange of subjective opinions rather than an effective argument.