Proposals: Arguing for Action More specific claim = fuller

[Notes] argument [more detailed]

Period 3
Constructing a Full Proposal
Desire to make our lives and the world In the fullest form, the proposal
better = motive for action argument breaks into two parts:
Schemes: reforming our bodies, 1. arguing that there is a
work habits, neighborhoods, and our problem
nation 2. that this proposal offers a
Also: cannot endure abuses practical situation
[personal and institutional]; Preliminary arguments –
Declaration? convince an audience that a
Requires: argument; proposes problem exists
or urges action, something Proposal Claim: general
should be done or specific response to the
problem
Convincing an Audience: Supporting arguments –
If we want to convince an audience, convince an audience that
they must agree with two things: a specific action can and
1. that there is a problem that should be taken
needs to be fixed Preliminary Arguments:
audience must be convinced The Demonstration: “We Really Have a
that a problem exists before Problem”
spending energy, Aim: asks for action from its
commitment, and resources audience, to change actions being
to solve the problem taken
takes strong motivation to Audience: differs between
overcome “stubborn inertia ignorant to fully aware, and
of human nature” impacts the “demonstration”
can convince or strengthen Demonstration: can give an
the audience’s beliefs about overall picture of the situation,
the problem provide statistics, and
2. that we are proposing a generalize with examples
practical solution to the Undesirable consequences of a
problem Situation:
arguer must evaluate the Demonstration may only show
situation negatively before that the problem is a problem,
proposing an action rather than an issue to be acted
if situation is ethically upon.
wrong, solution will be May/may not be easy to
ethically right establish due to the audience.
why recommend it?
Problems: if it sounds too Why an Audience May Be Unaware of
good, people believe it to be Consequences:
impractical 1. People may be ignorant that
Must convince audience any effects exist at all
that the resources are 2. Consequences may only
available. appear bad from a certain
point of view
Kinds of Proposals: 3. Audience may be aware
Vary due to specificity [which that consequences exist but
changes due to rhetorical not realize their extent
situation: audience, exigence,
and constraints]. Evaluating the Consequences:
Behind every demonstration of bad Initial suggestion as to what should be
consequences stand an evaluation [a done; “passing the buck”
judgment that these consequences are Lead to a demand for action by the
indeed bad] audience
We may be forced to argue further.
The Specific Proposal:
Informing the Aware: Provides an exact description of what
Reminding an audience of that they action should be taken to correct a
already know can be convincing; the problem; the length can vary
point is to turn “dull considerably, we usually do not argue
acknowledgement” into “vivid for a specific action unless we are
awareness” addressing an audience that can take
Push to action is usually used [i.e. action
emotional appeal]
Two Paths to the Same End
When you want to convince other
audiences, you need to adapt your
arguments to appeal to them
You can use the same appeals with
An Ethical Assessment of the Situation: two different audiences, leading to two
Stating that a problem is wrong no different actions [usually seen by 1.
matter the consequences because it is The public and 2. People who can take
wrong [not right in any manner]; it action].
appeals to the reader’s sense of right
and wrong [ethical appeal]

The Assumable Response: Supporting Arguments:

You should know when certain values After convincing the audience that a
appeal to a certain audience; appeals problem exists, then recommending a
should be made to the audience’s pre- course of action, you need to move
existing moral values your readers to adopt your
recommendation.
What to Do when an Ethical Response
is not Assumable: The Good Consequences That Will Flow
When ethics do not work, use from the Proposal
definition and comparison Prediction of good things that will
Definition: define the problem in order come from proposal can be done in
to create an immediate ethical two ways:
response 1. chain of causes
Comparison: comparison to another 2. analogy
activity/problem that is already widely Chain of Causes: Line of predictions
known that will lead to positive consequences,
and also leads to the ultimate action
Casual Analysis of the Situation to Be [no parks > no roads > no vehicles >
Corrected no people > no disturbance >
Find the causes of the problem and to wilderness preserved]
find a clue to the solution. Analogy: Find a similar policy that has
Proposal can eliminate or alter the succeeded [leading to increased belief
causes, therefore affecting the effect in you policy], predict the same results
If you attack the roots of the from a similar action
problem, it’s more convincing
than attacking the problem. The Bad Consequences Avoided
In order to strengthen argument, list
Proposal Statement the “evils” that will be avoided if your
General Proposals: plan of action is taken
You will argue that once a critical
cause is removed or blocked, bad Has It Been Done Before?
consequences will disappear and good Your main challenge will be to show
ones will take its place that “elsewhere” is similar to “here” is
all essential ways
The Ethical Appeal for the Proposal The appeal is stronger when you have
You may want to appeal to the more time, more money, or better
audience’s sense of what’s right; you facilities than your model
must make the appeal if you are to
count on their ethics Anticipating Difficult Questions:
If Your Idea is So Good, Why Hasn’t
Feasibility: “It Can Be Done” Anyone Done It Before?
Feasibility = workability 1. Suspicion that you have
Arguing feasibility is often a matter of overlooked a fatal flaw
anticipating the questions a skeptical 2. Honest puzzlement as to why a
reader is likely to ask [about the good solution have never
details] occurred to anyone else
New Circumstances
Can We Afford It? You may argue that the situation has
Action costs money. changed, which is why the solution can
Predicting costs allow you to convince work in today’s situation
the reader that you have considered
money to make a correct assurance A Blocking Cause Removed:
that your proposal is affordable One new circumstance can be the
removal of a previous problem [such
Will It Take Too Long? as a President being replaced]
Argue with detailed schedules and
arguments that reassure the audience New Knowledge:
If your proposal can save time, you You can attack the accusation head on
have a strong argument by saying that the solution is an old
idea applied in a new way, making it
more reputable and more
Can We Get People to Do This? “authorized”.
Human nature resists change.
Defend a proposal by stating the right What’s in It for You?
and wrong to your audience Most people are suspicious due to
“hidden motive” by the proposer. You
What Trade-Offs Are Needed? need to forestall this suspicion by:
You persuade your audience to accept 1. If you do benefit, admit it, and
the defect in your proposal because of say how it benefits others as
its greater overall benefits well
2. Boost your position as “one who
How Can We Do It? has been through it”, and is
Just showing your audience that you therefore in a position to
have thought your proposal through is propose a solution
fairly persuasive
Explain the process, and build up on What’s Wrong with the Other Proposal?
the steps If you are in “competition” with other
proposals, attack them head-on and
What’s the First Step? show that you are aware of the other
Show your audience that the first step proposals, and defend your own.
is easy! If you can start, the rest of
the proposal can also work