Argument Workshop 1 (Harper)
- Is the writer's position clear? (Do you understand it fully?) If not, make suggestions.
- Is the claim adequately focused and narrow within manageable/defensible limits? Why or why not? Explain.
- Do you feel the writer needs to add any qualifiers or exceptions in order to avoid over-generalizing which would render the claim less defensible? If yes, explain.
- Are the writer's reasons sound in logic, and do they follow logically from the claim? Why or why not?
- Can you think of any additional refutations the writer could add which they might have overlooked/not considered? List them.
- Without looking at the writer's ideas, what strategy do you think could be used for this particular argument? Why would it lend itself well to this issue?
- Now look at the writer's ideas. Are they the same as what you suggested above? What suggestions could you make? (Combine strategies; one strategy better than another and why...etc.).
- What additional evidence could the writer use? (Be as specific as possible: particular mags or journals; people to interview; videos; personal exp., etc.). Any "leads" or insights you have will be appreciated by your partner.
- Make 2-3 suggestions of how your partner could transform this topic into another argument. (What other perspective could they write from? What's another question at issue within this topic? What's another related topic? etc.).
