This class is about arguments, and your reading for this week examined the different elements of many kinds of arguments. Now, it's time to make an argument of your own. Challenge or support the title of this chapter: is everything
really an argument? If you are challenging the title, then you may want to consider situations where no argument is being made or reframe one of the kinds of arguments the chapter identifies as something other than argument. If you are supporting the title, you may want to consider other experiences you've had where you now realize you were hearing/speaking an argument. Either way, support your response with examples from the text and from your life experiences.
I must say I clearly support the title and agree that everything really is an argument. When people hear the word ‘argument’ they naturally think of verbal yelling or fighting back and forth. However, we forget that there are unspoken arguments. The chapter states that arguments can not only be spoken, but also written or visual. For example, my brother wore a Lakers jersey to a Heat game. Though he did get dirty looks, the argument was visual; he wasn’t a heat fan. His point of view was different from others and that is what created an argument. It’s safe to say that we all have from completely different views to similar views on certain things which is another reason why arguments surround us. The reading even explains how something as simple as saying “Hi, how’s it going” can be arguing that your hello deserves a response. If they are occurring in something as simple as saying hello, there is no doubt in my mind that everything really is an argument.
ReplyDeleteDemi, I totally agree with you on the fact that everything is an argument. I experience and observe it in my everyday life; from students, professors, and friends.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Demi and believe that everything is truly an argument. An argument doesn't have to be a verbal battle between two people. It can be obvious, like during the presidential elections when candidates defame each other and try to express why their leadership is more ideal for their country. However, like both the text and Demi stated, arguments can be subtle as well. Any advertisement for soda, candy, or a store is an argument as to why that brand is better than the other. Slogans and catch phrases express this idea as well. For instance, Walmart's slogan is "Save money. Live better." This is their argument as to why shopping at Walmart is better than shopping at a store like Target: it's less expensive, allowing you to save money. Many commercials like Progressive Auto Insurance and Geico generate the same idea: "our business is better than theirs because..." So I completely agree with Demi. If saying "Hi, how are you?" is an argument, so is everything else.
ReplyDelete1.) Initially, I wanted to support the chapter title of everything being an argument but the more I read, it sounded as though everything was an opinion. Arguments stem from difference in opinions. We argue with those who have different opinions from our own not those who share the same opinions.
ReplyDeleteThe chapter even stated that the point of argument is to use evidence to discover some version of the truth.
Everything is not an argument because you can't argue with the truth. People may try to argue (and often succeed) with a distorted or grey view of the truth but we all now that its black and white.For example you either ate an apple for breakfast or you didn't. There's no argument there. But even in this example opinions can come in, such as with the Argument of Definition, and state that apple sauce counts as an apple so the answer would be that you did eat an apple for breakfast. Another great example is what makes a woman a mother. A mother is a woman who conceived and gave birth to a child, passing on her genes. But in society's opinion any woman who raises a child is called a mother although they truly aren't.
2.) Demi Rose writes about how her brother used a Lakers jersey at a Heat game in an example of an Argument to Inform, which is what his goal was and he definitely informed Heat fans that he was no Heat fan!
Stephanie Jolicoeur I see where you are coming from with having the same opinion, but what if you think of an argument as only a point of view and not a literal argument. People can have the same opinions but I feel like it's the same as saying they have the same argument. So is it safe to say it's still a personal argument whether a person feels the same or differently?
ReplyDelete1)I support the title because everything truly is an argument; this is because options do differ from person to person, in addition based on how we were each raised, and even from the social classes we grew up in. Arguments in my eyes stem from many different situations it can be anything from a miscommunication to options being different and also just having a different idea to what is the truth or what is right. An argument in my mind isn’t just the yelling like Demi said “it can be unspoken” as her brother showed the heat fans he wasn’t one just by wearing a jersey of the opposing team. In the reading it talks about how a nurse may say “this won’t hurt one bit“ but that depends on who you’re doing the action on. For example my sister is twenty-one years old and still cannot even handle getting a Flu shot because it hurts her so bad, but my mother and I on the other hand feel nothing. So right there it shows that yes its true this may not hurt a bit for one yet on the other hand it’s also true that it will hurt a lot more than a bit for someone else .
ReplyDelete2) Tori-I totally agree and also I really like how you brought up the different items in a store being a visual argument because it is true from the colors, to their constant changing of displays within the store, color schemes and patterns just to catch the attention of a buyer. The producers of the products are trying to sell themselves faster, and prove to us the consumer they are the better buy which is the overall argument.
Everything is an argument. The title is very true. I agree with Tori how advertising is a subtle way of arguments. Even though it's not actually upfront where two people are going back and forth, it involves persuasion that one brand or company is better than another. This is relevant in cellphone companies such as Verizon and Cingular. Cingular is known for "raising the bar" and verizon is known as the "fastest" from their comercials, thus trying to argue they are better than other companies. Arguments are present everywhere whether its upfront or subtle.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with the statement and title that everything is an argument. If you think about it it is very true. Anything can be argued. Even the smallest gesture or idea, there might be at least one person somewhere who many not agree and chooses to argue that gesture or idea. Like the text says and explains, there are so many different things that can be argued and ways to argue them. Anything from praying, to academics, to the past can be argued. Everything has a point to reason for argument if you think about it. Arguments can be shown in different ways, making me realize even more that everything can be argued against. They can be to persuade, to convince, and also to inform. Arguments don't have to be verbal either, they can be shown in an act or other ways. Yukita I agree with what you have to say as far as "options do differ from person to person, in addition based on how we were each raised, and even from the social classes we grew up in". People will always have their own way of thinking, leading them to create their own thought and opinions for everything. Not too long ago I was playing basketball. On a play during the game, a kid told me I pushed him, I didn't seem to think I pushed him, and right there was an argument. We argued back and forth as we did not agree with one another. Unfortunately this became a very intense verbal argument and almost became physical. Thankfully there were other players that calmed us down and allowed us to finally come to an agreement with one another. This text made me realize that truly anything and everything is an argument.
ReplyDelete1) I absolutely agree with the title of this argument. According to this chapter, “the point of argument is to use evidence and reason to discover some version of the truth.” While many things may not seem like an obvious argument at first, it is possible to find the underlying message in almost anything. For example, just walking around campus today I saw numerous students wearing Florida State University gear. These students who choose to wear the FSU logo on their t-shirts, hoodies and binders are providing the evidence for their argument that they support their school. This chapter also mentions that arguments can be considered anything that tells you something you didn’t already know. Based on this idea, it is easy to see how arguments really are everywhere, from the sign outside Fisher Lecture hall that reads “caution wet paint” to the sidewalk chalk in the Union that states there is a SGA meeting Thursday night at 7:00. With all of these examples of arguments just on our school campus, how can one not agree that arguments are everywhere?
ReplyDelete2) I like that Brooke mentions the common misconceptions that arguments are simply just “two people going back and forth.” When we only view that concept as the meaning of an “argument” we completely disregard the various other forms of arguments that present themselves in our everyday lives.
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ReplyDelete1. I agree that everything is an argument. Every person has their own point of view and from that people argue with each other. Before reading the homework I believed that everything had an argument to it but I did not realize how many specific types of arguments there really are. The reading solidified my belief that everything is an argument. Even the most simplest things can be an argument, such as in our reading there was a Victoria Secret sweat shirt that advertised college schools. People can argument that it is not right for the company to make clothes with school's name's on them because they cannot print clothes for every college. In order to make improvements to our lives we question ideas and argue if they are actually true, such as people did when they believed that the earth was flat. We even have philosophers who argue things for a living. In my Ethics class last semester I learned about many points of views of philosophers who argued if certain things should be permissible or impermissible. Then in my speech class we wrote argument to persuade our class about something, like how I tried to persuade my class to not text while driving.
ReplyDelete2. I have to comment on Stephanie Jolicoeur's blog because I too believe that arguments stem from people's opinions. All human beings are individuals and each of our minds think in a different way which cause us to each have different understandings and beliefs which create arguments. Stating your religion is an argument because you are saying that you believe in certain theories for particular reason.
I disagree with the title because there are just some things that are fact. I enjoy science, and the word “fact” comes up a lot. In science the word fact means a provable concept; a truth known by actual experience or observation; something known to be true. An example from the text and a common scientific argument recently has been global warming. Many people have different opinions on the theory but if you just take the FACTS that carbon dioxide levels as well as average temperatures have risen over the past one hundred years then there is no argument. The data allows that statement to be a fact and is not arguable. People just want to be right so they argue all of the time (even if they know they are wrong) and I hate it. This chapter even brought up an argument over arguing.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Stephanie Jolicoeur that all arguments are based off of peoples unique individual opinions. But in the end they are all just opinions that produce a distorted version of the truth.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with this title. The main reason i do not like the title is because of one of the first examples saying that "Hello, how are you doing?" is an argument. This to me felt very opinionated because why would you think that you deserved an answer from saying hello? Most people ask questions after saying something so a conversation can either start or continue. Also most people do not go demanding responses to their questions because they feel that them saying something deserves a response. Though I do argue a lot with my friends and family for me I normally only do it because I like the thought of seeing who can come up with more ideas and actual facts supporting their view but I do not think that every little thing that is uttered by any single person is an argument. Though everyone does have their own opinion it just does not seem like everyone is always trying to argue even if someone else interperts it as an argument it may not have been intended that way by the original person. For example if I were to wear a FSU t-shirt in my home town I would be wearing it because I like my college and support my football team but if someone walks up to me and says your school sucks it means that they just do not want to agree with me whereas another person can just walk by and be ok with it. The part about an argument that I think is really important is that there needs to be someone who wants to argue. if no one wants to argue then it does not exist but if they do then its there. so I really do not think everything is an argument else we would always be trying to win. Win what I do not know but they want to win something.
ReplyDeleteBefore I read this article I hardly believed that everything was an argument, which of course is quite ironic seeing as how I was arguing with the title by questioning its accuracy. However after reading it I realized that while I didn't always see the argument doesn't mean it isn't there. The beauty of mankind is that everyone can have their own opinion, whether their opinion is expressed or not, and thus the conflicting opinions create an argument, whether it is an internal or external argument it still exists. The argument that comes to my mind when I consider this particular question is that in science, even when things are agreed upon by most of the scientific community, they are always called theories, because for every theory there is a person willing to dispute the theory. Eric, I'm sorry to say that I disagree with your reasoning on this particular point for the reasons I previously mentioned. For every scientist that you find that supports the THEORY of global warming there's one that does not.
ReplyDeleteKayvigh I see you point really well and it makes sense that there is always agruments because everyone has their own opinion but using science as an example does not really give too much detail. I mainly say this because science is open ended and everyone is always trying to prove what is correct and in science there are so much in accuracies that if everyone were to support the same idea or theory we would have no new understanding. For example if no one questioned theories we could all still believe that the earth were flat or that the Earth revolved around the sun. So in a place like science arguments are necessary to learn new things put there are many places that do not need arguments like math, at least basic level maths. I say math because you use a formula that is proven to work and get a finite solution if someone is arguing the solution it most likely means they did something wrong.
ReplyDeleteWhile Daniel's point that small parts of a conversation such as "Hello how are you doing?" are not arguments is correct, I do not believe that this disproves the entire argument. That small part does not does represent the whole, and the whole conversation will be an argument so therefore the theory hold.
ReplyDeleteAlso I'd like to take a moment point out how we arguing about arguments, and that it's kinda funny how everyone trying to disprove that everything is an argument can only do so by making one themselves.
I'm going to have to agree with this title in that everything is, indeed, an argument. I can’t think of a single time today that I spoke to someone that it didn’t end in an argument (maybe I’m just doing something wrong). Even if two people are talking and completely agreeing on the subject they are still going against someone else’s opinion. Even if you are not actively arguing with that person, you still create an argument against them. If a professor is up in front of the classroom, they are making an argument, even while they teaching you something.
ReplyDeleteBefore I had the chance of reading "is everything really an argument?", I was quick to oppose the idea that everything can be an argument. I felt that people could have a disagreement without having an argument. But after reading this article I realize that an argument is not only limited to anger, yelling, and aggressive tendancy. This reading introduced a broader aspect of arguing to my understanding and I realize that a disagreement is one of many types of arguments.One example that stood out the most was when the author stated that when people say " Hi, How it's going?" the person is arguing that their hello deserves a response. This proves that arguments can not only be subtle rather than vulgar, but also that arguments are not solely for changing someones opinion but can also inform, peak interest, mediate, or bring forth a decision.
ReplyDeleteDemi, I agree with you. When thinking about argument I use to imediately think about verbal yelling or fighting back and forth. But after reading the article I realize that this is just a common form of arguing but is not the sole characteristic for argument.
ReplyDeleteArguments occur more often in our lives than we all probably realize. From the moment you open your eyes there’s an argument whether you should do this or that and your decision is based upon which thing can persuade you more. After reading this article I believe that everything is an argument. There is possibly not a single thing that all humans would agree upon. If we all agreed on everything everyone’s lives would be plain and boring. As a way to spruce up our lives we turn to arguments. We live in America where every individual has freedom of speech and are free to speak their mind. With this freedom of speech people persuade others to agree with their own opinions and views even though not everyone might agree and think those people are wrong. Some people think their beliefs and opinions are superior to others. What these people are doing here is arguing their thoughts and ideas. People will always find a way to make things biased and prove their point. As stated by Demi, arguments do not even have to happen between people fighting or verbally attacking each other so one person can “win.” As the article stated there is an invitational argument that doesn’t aim to defeat others but informs and convinces them. Many other types of arguments occur in the world such as the subtle arguments Tori wrote about. I agree with her that a corporation such as Walmart uses catch phrases to make customers choose their company over another, such as Target. Walmart’s slogan appeals to the people who are on a tight budget and looking for the best prices. An argument that popped into my head is about Coco-Cola and Pepsi products. The commercials presented on television bashes and shoots down the other by making their product look superior to the other. Also, each company continually comes out with a new soda flavor to one up the other. When Coke Zero came out to the market Pepsi ONE made an argument of why their product was superior to the other. This creates an argument over which company is better because of the different products they sell.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion.... not everything is an argument. For instance, when you own an intangible object such as a chair or a lamp or even a piece of paper... the brand of that specific object may make an argument regarding what you like and what you don't like for sure.... but the fact that the object is there makes no argument. The chair sitting at the desk makes no argument.... the piece of paper lying on the table can have no objections.... what the lamp is being used for makes the argument that you can't see without light, but the lamp itself is making no argument. Also, another example of how everything is not an argument is a person's physical heart....I'm not arguing that one needs their own heart to live because there are heart transplants all the time, but it can't be argued that one does not need a heart to live... this is just plain fact....No one needs to be convinced, persuaded, or make an argument that someone needs some type of heart to live.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think that everything is an argument therefore I support the title. Arguments can derive from anything, whether big or small. I recently engaged into an argument with my friend because he felt that I was not as talented as him when it came down to athletics. Arguments can occur when you least expect it, at times of mourning as well as at times of happiness. Arguments make us human; if there were no arguments in the world it would be boring. Arguments make us unique because we each bring different opinions to the table.
ReplyDeleteI read the journal prompt prior to reading the chapter and went into the reading opposing the idea that everything is an argument. However, my opinion (or argument) has changed…a little. I, like many others who have posted, viewed an argument as either a verbal fight in anger or some form of persuasion but this chapter explored so many other ways an argument is defined. The reading covered arguments to: inform, persuade, make decisions, or meditate. I never really knew or considered the ones that inform or meditate as arguments. So while I have accepted things I didn’t count as arguments as ones now, I’m not 100 percent set on the statement that EVERYTHING is one. I really want to hear class discussion and lecture about it before I completely decide one way or the other.
ReplyDeleteI think what Eric said about scientific data is a very strong argument against the title of the chapter. If something is proven as a fact, not an opinion or idea then it cannot be an argued against.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with the title of the reading, I do not believe that everything is an argument. One of the key issues that I have with this claim is connotation. In the english language, argument generally has a defensive, disquieted connotation and while most things make some sort of persuasion they do not necessarily make an 'argument'. Earlier today someone asked me how my winter break went, I responded "Good, how was yours?". While I might have been persuading or leading him to believe that my break went well, there was no sort of defensive tone nor reason/consequence for me to argue that it did in fact go well; In this case, no argument was made. Though, later on a friend who I visited over break asked me whether I had fun on our specific visit, in this case when I said "Yes of course" she questioned me, worrying that maybe I was just saying I had fun so that I didn't offend or upset her. I continued to insist upon and DEFEND the notion that the visit was indeed enjoyable. In this case, an argument was made. In a more visual sense, the similar idea holds true. Today I wore a plain black sweater with no writing, while it may have told one that the air was a bit chilly and that maybe I wasn't feeling so cheerful, no argument is made. Yesterday I wore an FSU hoodie with the seminole logo on it; this did in fact make an argument. By displaying the athletic logo of a large school with a competitive athletic record I am entering the debate between college sports fans and arguing that the Florida State Seminoles are a valid source of pride and should be supported. This said, context and connotation are key in classifying things as arguments and not all things will fall into this category.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Michelle Edwards and Demi, I understand that the article's notion that by definition an argument does not necessarily have to be defensive or heated in tone or content though as I described in my previous response, its general connotation DOES imply that sort of tone as a part of argument. I personally am a firm believer in the recognition of connotation as a crucial element in word choice and therefor (even after reading the article) do not sway in my opinion that not everything is an argument.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Asiah in some aspects in believeing that everything is not an argument. Yes, "the clothes you wear, the food you eat, and the group" you hang out with may argue your own lifestyle to a person, but simple common courtesies such as "Hello, how are you?" Do not argue that fact that you want a response. This is a simple gesture of greetings. As well, when comedians make jokes, they allow you to see things from a different perspective. These comedians do not argue that thier point of view is correct nor incorrect, they are simply showing it to you, no argument. The purpose of an argument, as stated, is to make a point. To say "Hello" to someone is not making a point at but taking to to be courteous. One may say that, you are 'making a point' to be kind, but that is just one point of view. I believe that an argument has to do with perspective, which is the point of an argument, for "you" to see "my" perspective. If I am merely discussing matters on that are not important with you, like how grass is green or the sky is blue, than I am making no argument, but just stating the facts.
ReplyDeleteEric, I completely support your claim that not everything is an argument. I think you made it effectively obvious that everything can't be an argument just by you throwing out the word "fact". Your statement caused me to think and realize that nobody can argue with fact. Therefore, if you think you can argue with fact, then think again because what you're arguing against is no longer a fact .... it's become a theory. Everybody knows that theories can be either proven or disproven...so I think your statement helped to distinguish between facts and theories.
ReplyDeleteBefore reading this article I believed that everything was certainly not an argument, but now I am persuaded that everything truly is. An argument is much more than a controversial topic or a dispute between two people, it can appear from a simple picture or sign. They are generally unspoken and created by inanimate objects. An example can be seen on the cover of a Seventeen magazine, where you interpret the colors, pictures, and wordings. The simple picture of a celebrity on the front cover can make a person argue “How can I look like her?” or “What brand of clothes is she wearing.” Arguments are interpreted from various everyday items, and I now see how easy it is to miss the arguments that are being created.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Tori said about the Wal-Mart and Insurance company slogans. As she showed companies often argue that they are better without actual using that exact wording, such as Wal-Mart’s slogan “ Save money. Live Better.” They are not necessarily saying they are better than Target, but through their slogan they are persuading consumers to shop at their store.
1)Before reading this article, I never thought to consider the many forms of arguments that exist, such as arguing to pray and arguing to inform. With that being said, I agree with the idea that everything is an argument, whether aloud or unspoken. As the article claims, “the clothes you wear to the foods you eat can create unspoken arguments.” From my perspective, cultural differences spur such disagreements. As a personal example, many Eastern dishes, like chicken feet and balut (fertilized duck egg), may not be widely accepted in the Western culture; thus, such dishes would be rejected and argued as “not normal.” Which brings me to my next topic, which is a popular argument of definition; what exactly does the word “normal” mean? Who defines and sets the norm? Many would define “normal” as “someone or something accepted by the majority of society”. However, I would dispute that the word normal should be nonexistent because there is no such thing since what one person thinks is normal may be weird to another.
ReplyDelete2)I agree with Willie’s statement that “arguments make us human and unique”. Because every person possesses his own mind of thoughts, arguments stem from different opinions. Though there are differences, there is no true distinguishable right and wrong answers because the truth may be unclear, like the chicken and egg mystery, which came first?
Like the majority of previous posts, mine also argues for the accuracy of the articles title. And while finding an argument in “Hi, how’s it going?” may have seemed impossible at first glance, the author quickly managed to gain my support through their reasoning. With the multiple subcategories of arguments provided, such as arguments to persuade and arguments to make decisions, evidence supports that arguments truly encompass all aspects of our lives. Both consciously and subconsciously the actions we take each day can argue many different points. For example, when I stood up on Tuesday in class, announced my name, major, and an interesting fact about myself, which happened to be that I’m a vegetarian, I subconsciously argued for my eating habits. Although I failed to realize it at the time, my interesting fact may have argued to persuade others to take on similar food habits, or it also may have argued to explore others opinions’ on vegetarian lifestyle. Therefore, I completely agree with Alyssa when she proposed that “There is possibly not a single thing that all humans would agree upon.” 100% agreement on an issue brought up in a class discussion can often be difficult to achieve; thus, how can one expect complete agreement on world issues that affects so many different types of people.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that everything is an argument. You can talk to someone and have a verbal argument, you can look at a billboard and that will be an argument. Anything truly can be an argument. My favorite part in the reading was when they talked about the Arizona University sweater because it had the ‘Pink’ logo on it with a devil printed on the back. That can start up an argument very easily by not even using words; someone could just look at you and in their head think, hey, why is ‘Pink’ supporting them or why do they get the devil on their sweater we are more rebellious then they are. Adding my own personal spin on things I own a camo jacket (Redhead). It’s a great jacket and it keeps me warm and I like it; brings out my country side. But when I go to hang out with my Hispanic friends and I wear that jacket they all look at me funny, like what’s a Hispanic girl doing with a jacket like that. Just by wearing a jacket can even start an argument I have come to find, and it’s crazy! I feel that anything can become an argument you ask me about what type of water I like I could argue with you that mine is healthier or cheaper to buy or a Virginia Tech fan standing in the Florida State section and screaming and clapping loudly when Virginia makes a touchdown can also cause an argument. Everything really is an argument.
ReplyDelete(2) I like what Stephanie Jolicoeur put that it comes down to an opinion, you gave really good examples that almost made me second guess my decision, but I still would have to say even though it's an opinion it can still be an argument. Your opinion could be my argument.
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