Teaching Argument Writing with Frankenstories

Argument types

We use arguments to resolve doubt or disagreement.

The type of argument we use depends on what we doubt or disagree about.

In Writelike & Frankenstories, we'll talk about 7 types of argument, which relate to doubt & disagreement about either reality or values.

TWFS Argument types diagrams long

  • Factual: "What exists? What happened? What is true?"
  • Causal: "How did this happen? What will happen next?"
  • Definitional: "What is it? Who are they?"
  • Resemblance: "Is this like that?"
  • Proposal: "What should we do? How should we do it?"
  • Valuational: "What is this worth? How should we value it?"
  • Ethical: "Is it right or wrong to treat them this way?"
  • Big, complex arguments contain smaller, simpler arguments, often of different types.
  • By identifying argument types, we can better understand the content and structure of larger arguments.
  • Additionally, different argument types use different types of reasoning.

Two types of reasoning

Because these arguments deal with different questions, they tend to emphasise different types of reasoning.

In Frankenstories, we'll focus on two types of reasoning:

  • Causal reasoning
  • Criteria & match reasoning

Two types of reasoning causal

Based on cause and effect relationships.

  • "This cause reliably produces that effect."
  • "If this happens, then that will happen."
    • "Engine failures CAUSE planes to crash."
    • "IF the engines cut out, THEN the plane will crash."

Notes

  • Causal reasoning can work forwards and backwards.
  • There can be multiple causes and effects.
  • We may or may not be certain.
  • Often used in causal and proposal arguments.

Two types of reasoning criteria

Also known as categorical reasoning, criteria & match reasoning is based on judging & sorting into categorical relationships.

  • "If this matches those criteria, then it belongs in that category."
    • "IF it has wings AND carries passengers THEN it is a plane."
    • "IF the plane crashes WITH passengers on board, THEN it is a disaster."
    • "IF the wreckage was found, THEN the crash is a fact."

Notes

  • There can be multiple criteria.
  • Criteria can be weighted.
  • Matches can be fuzzy.
  • Used in all argument types.

It's worth noting that, in real-world issues, argument and reasoning types are often combined in complex ways. For example:

Mix of causal and definitional:

"If the engines cut out, then it will be an emergency because the plane could crash."

Mix of valuational and causal:

"These flight conditions are dangerous because the fuel line could freeze, which could cause the engine to cut out, which would result in a crash."

Mix of proposal and definitional:

"What will we do about this housing shortage? I think that if we decommission those planes, float them in the canal and connect them to power, then we can declare them to be low-density houseboats, and put them up for rent."

Frankenstories is good because it lets you play with these argument types in isolation so that they are easier to analyse and produce in the wild.

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