Monday, December 2nd

1. The difference between argument, persuasion, and propaganda. The difference between chart
* Note the difference between the goals of argument, persuasion, and propaganda.

Argument's goal: TO PROVE A POINT

2. Toulmin Argument

What is the Toulmin Method? (Purdue Univeristy OWL)
Developed by philosopher Stephen E. Toulmin, the Toulmin method is a style of argumentation that breaks arguments down into six component parts: claim, grounds, warrant, qualifier, counterclaim/rebuttal, and backing.

In Toulmin’s method, every argument begins with three fundamental parts: the claim, the grounds, and the warrant.

A claim is the assertion that authors would like to prove to their audience. It is, in other words, the main argument.

The grounds of an argument are the evidence and facts that help support the claim.

Finally, the warrant, which is either implied or stated explicitly, is the assumption that links the grounds to the claim.

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3. Outside Detective Work- 

The basic point of this assignment is to have the you do some of your own research, and bring something of interest back to the class. I would encourage you to look wherever you can for new, interesting information on the case, including reddit.com, which has an extensive collection of interesting maps, commentary, and arguments. You may also use Rabia’s blog (splitthemoon.com). It is also a source of some direct evidence.

Part 1: Write down 3 questions that you find personally perplexing (“What was Stephanie’s alibi for the afternoon of Hae’s disappearance?”)

Part 2: Research your answer. For example: Using Google Maps to see if the trees around Best Buy offer much cover in January—they don’t.

Part 3: Prepare your document on the 'Outside Detective Work' research.  In the top left corner provide the standard 4-line MLA header. Follow that by a centered title in MLA format. Next, list your 3 questions for consideration. Then provide the answer to your research for one of the questions. This can be in a blended mode where you state the research but add your commentary. Please also address the credibility discussion of the source. Finally, provide an MLA-correct citation for your source, paying attention to correct line spacing and indentation (hanging indent).

This is a great opportunity to see how fun “real research” can be. As we get into the final three episodes, there will be a more serious “culminating project," as I have indicated.

NOTE:  you will be asked to present your findings to your group on Wednesday, and you will be asked to cite your source, consider, and discuss its credibility and accuracy. Too often students just write down the first thing they see on the Internet and consider themselves finished. Your following mini-research response is also due to Schoology on Wednesday, December 4th.