Techniques of Argument

COMPOSITION
• In the literary sense, a composition (from the Latin

"to put together") is the way a writer assembles
words and sentences to create a coherent and
meaningful work.
• Composition can also mean the activity of
writing, the nature of the subject of a piece of
writing, the piece of writing itself, and the name of
a college course assigned to a student.
• In writing, composition refers to the way a writer
structures a piece of writing.
• The four modes of composition, which were codified
in the late 19th century, are description, narration,
exposition, and argumentation.
• A composition might use clean and simple prose,
flowery, descriptive passages, or analytical
nomenclature.
Types of Composition Writing
• The four classical types of composition (description,
narration, exposition, and argumentation) are not
categories.
• A description, or descriptive writing, is a statement or
account that describes something or someone, listing
characteristic features and significant details to provide a
reader with a portrayal in words.
• Descriptions are set in the concrete, in the reality, or

solidity of an object as a representation of a person,
place, or thing in time.
• A description of a rose might include the color of the

petals, the aroma of its perfume, where it exists in your
garden, whether it is in a plain terracotta pot or a
hothouse in the city.
Narration
• A narration, or narrative writing, is a personal account, a
story that the writer tells his or her reader.
• It can be an account of a series of facts or events, given in
order and establishing connections between the steps.
• It can even be dramatic, in which case you can present
each individual scene with actions and dialogue.
• The chronology could be in strict order, or you could
include flashbacks.
• A narration about a rose might describe how you first came
across it, how it came to be in your garden, or why you went to
the greenhouse that day.
Exposition
• Exposition, or expository writing, is the act of expounding or
explaining a person, place, thing, or event.
• Your purpose is not to just describe something, but to give it a
reality, an interpretation, your ideas on what that thing means.
• In some respects, you are laying out a proposition to explain a
general notion or abstract idea of your subject.
• An exposition on a rose might include its taxonomy,
what its scientific and common names are, who
developed it, what the impact was when it was
announced to the public, and/or how was it distributed.
Argumentation
• Also called argumentative writing, an argumentation is
basically an exercise in comparing and contrasting.
• It is the methodological presentation of both sides of
an argument using logical or formal reasoning.
• The end result is formulated to persuade why thing A
is better than thing B. What you mean by "better"
makes up the content of your arguments.
lue of osition
• Argumentation applied to a rose might be why one
particular rose is better than another, why you prefer
roses over daisies, or vice versa.
• In our everyday life, we use different arguments in
our discussions to convince others to accept our
viewpoints.
• we state what we believe is true, and then we
gradually build an argument around it to make others
believe it is true as well.
• For example, the subject of an argument might be,
• “The internet is a good invention.” Then, we support
this contention with logical reasons, such as “It is a
source of endless information,” and “It is a hub of
entertainment,” and so on. In the end, we conclude the
argument by giving our verdict.
TECHNIQUES OF ARGUMENT
• Argument: a reason or set of reasons given in
support of an idea, action or theory.
• An argument is a statement or set of statements that

you use in order to try to convince people that your
opinion about something is correct.
• Arguing means claiming that something is true and

trying to persuade other people to agree with your
claim by presenting evidence to substantiate it.
• An argument is statement with three components:
• Arguments are claims backed by reasons that are
supported by evidence.
• Having an argument involves two or more individuals
responding to one another’s claim and support for such
a claim.
• Argument is not simply restating the same claims and
reasons, rather it is supporting, modifying or defending
positions accordingly.
• The three parts of an argument are:
– Premise,
– inference,
– and conclusion.
 Premises are statements that a person presents as
a fact.
 Inferences are the reasoning part of
an argument.
 The conclusion is the final inference and is

constructed from the premise and inferences.
How do you present an argument in writing?
iMake sure to get the topic or question correct.
• Support your argument with good reason. ...
• Use good support for your view. ...
• Deal with disagreement. ...
• Be clear, yet concise. ...
• Write a good essay.
A few things to remember:
• Try not to use personal examples. Saying ‘I can
personally attest to’ or ‘in my experience’ is not a solid
way to argue.
• Try not to include too many points. Rather chose a few
important issues and argue them more intensively.
• Listen attentively to your opponent, raising well-timed
and relevant points against their case.
• Turn your opposition’s objections into evidence for your
own case (while casting them a pitying look).
• Use humour where appropriate.
• A point of view, a claim, something we are arguing in favour
of.
• The actual argument, the evidence we are using to argue with.
Main Differences Between Argument and Debate

• Argument and debate are words used for discussions
of different kinds.
• In their verb form, an argument has the same meaning
as that of the noun. Whereas, the verb of a debate has
a difference regarding their meaning.
• 1. Argument means characterized discussions for
disagreements that give rise to disputes. Though debates are
also discussions, they are usually about a given topic and in an
assembly hall. They are held in the manner of a contest between
two opposite teams putting forth their views on the topic.
• 2. Debates are always formal. Unless they are used in sentences
as a verb, the debates that are held as contests are always formal.
But an argument may be formal or informal depending on the
situation. It is mostly used during informal situations.
• 3. An argument is a process of reasoning back and
forth on the topic for discussion that has no particular
order to follow since no one is there to judge. On the
other hand, debates are held systematically. The
opinions of both the sides are heard and the opposite
teams are allowed to try their best in establishing
their affirmative and negative views on the given
topic.
• 4. Arguments do not have decisions being
made while debates do. Arguments are not
conclusive. There is no need to decide
arguments but rather they only create disputes
and disagreements. The process of debate is to
arrive at a decision that is made by the
democratic method or voting.

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COMPOSITION

• In the literary sense, a composition (from the Latin

• Descriptions are set in the concrete, in the reality, or

• A description of a rose might include the color of the

• An argument is a statement or set of statements that

• Arguing means claiming that something is true and

 The conclusion is the final inference and is

Main Differences Between Argument and Debate

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