Topic 2: Crafting logical and persuasive arguments

Expressing one’s position through carefully-crafted arguments has many benefits. In the process of crafting an argument, we can engage with key components of the critically reflective process we’ve seen in the previous unit.

It is important to remember that a well-crafted argument is not necessarily one that is combative, or one seeks to create an “argument culture” of communication between students. The argument culture, described by Deborah Tannen (1998), involves a belief that the ‘truth’ can be reached through a debate that pits two sides against each other. Accordingly, this sort of culture tends to oversimplify complexities and emphasise differences in order to “win over” the other side (Fook & Askeland).

Thus, in helping students/youth learn how to craft and develop their own arguments, we need to be mindful of this tendency of using arguments as means to be dominant over different perspectives.

For example, a different approach would be to consider how the formulation of arguments can be part of a critical thought process by:

• Making us examine and question our own beliefs and assumptions (linked to critical reflection)
• Challenge arguments we might encounter that might be illogical, or insufficient to describe social contexts (linked to critical thinking)
• Collectively reaching common areas of understanding and creating new knowledge for ourselves (linked to creative dialogue)