Guest Speaker: Lynn Medeiros

Lynn Medeiros spoke to us about constructing arguments. She discussed the criteria that are needed to make an argument of value: truth, relevance, and support. We need these components because the purpose of an argument is to make people think and see evidence that supports your argument, to persuade them. She discussed the importance of a relevant argument, based on factual evidence rather than emotion. Just as we've discussed in class, an argument to stop global warming by showing the cute polar bears that are sad cuz they're losing their home is not a good argument, it is an emotional plea. By including factual evidence into our arguments, it gives an argument backing. It helps to gain support by those who do not necessarily have the same background beliefs and views about the world, but when they see and think about the evidence for your argument, they draw their own conclusion. The conclusion that they draw is not because it appeals to their emotions, but because the facts lean or don't lean in support of the point they draw. Lynn Medeiros really had good points about factual arguments versus emotional arguments, and staying consistent in your beliefs.