Response to Chapter 14

In Chapter 14, it discusses writing a classical argument. It describes the two components: truth seeking and persuasion. It's interesting how they explain these two components as a paradox. Also, I really like how they explained how argument in our society has been cast as such a negative thing...how it misrepresents argument because it makes people fight and grow apart. I think the general idea of a classical argument is an interesting one, but one that has been beaten in to my head since I was in middle school. We've always been taught to make an argument, provide examples, and then tell how the examples provide evidence of the argument. I think it's important for the claim that you are arguing be one you really feel strongly about, otherwise, how do you expect to persuade others of your idea? I also think the ability to link your ideas to the ideas and beliefs of the argument is one of the most important in arguing a point. If an audience doesn't think it applies to them, they're going to turn off of the subject and not want to hear anything you say. But one thing, like explained in this chapter, that you have to be careful of is logical fallacies. These create untrue statements and will alot of times also turn the audience off to what your arguing because they believe your creating a generalization about them. In the end, understanding a classical argument is all about creating an argument and relating that argument to your audience so they'll see your side of view about it.