Activity, Argument mapping
Now that you have developed your concept mapping skills, it is time to move to the next phase: argument mapping. Argument mapping is diagramming the structure of an argument so that you can visualize then evaluate the primary contentions of an author's argument. Identifying the evidence and reasoning an author employs to support his/her claim is central to critical thinking. In this activity you will learn more about argument mapping and have an opportunity to practice your skills on an argument.
Here's what you need to do:
1) Please read the argument mapping portion of this website.
2) Please read "What is Argument Mapping?" by Tim van Gelder.
3) Optional: Review the Tutorials on Argument Mapping, especially Tutorial 1 and 2. Note that the Rationale tutorials instruct you (here) to use complete sentences in the boxes to avoid incomplete understanding of a claim and sloppy thinking. Try complete (or near complete) sentences in your boxes (unlike concept mapping where words and phrases will work). You don't need the Rationale software for this assignment! CMAP works fine.
4) Argument map the article below by E.O. Wilson, Jared Diamond, Leiberman and Bramble, or the video on Cooking. Before you start mapping, download the argument map template I created. To use the template, I download the .cmap template file to my desktop. I then click on the .cmap template file and the CMap program will eventually load and the template will appear. If you have trouble with this, just follow the format of the template that is displayed on the argument map download page. Use the labels "Reason 1, Reason 2, Evidence, Data, etc.) in your map so that the structure of the author's argument can be easily identify from your map.
5) Using your completed argument map evaluate the argument. Are you convinced by the reasons/evidence Wilson (or the others) presented in support of his claim? Why or why not? You can put your answer in a concept box clearly identified in a corner of your map page. Or, you can type it into the comments section on Blackboard when you upload your map. (Note: If you read Wilson, please read--but don't map--the short piece by John Horgan in response to Wilson's argument. I think it is best when we read two sides of an argument).
Note that argument mapping reveals the structure of an author's argument. You will find weaknesses in an argument such as assertions that are not supported by data/evidence and assumptions that are unexplained. As a practical matter, you will not be able to fill in all boxes in an argument map -- consider what this tells you about the strength of the author's argument. Also consider how you will make arguments in the future.
Your argument will be evaluated based on this criteria (click link).
Wilson: Is War Inevitable?
Diamond: The Worst Mistake in the History of the Human Race
Did Cooking Make Us Human (video)
Lieberman and Bramble, The Evolution of Marathon Running
Here's what you need to do:
1) Please read the argument mapping portion of this website.
2) Please read "What is Argument Mapping?" by Tim van Gelder.
3) Optional: Review the Tutorials on Argument Mapping, especially Tutorial 1 and 2. Note that the Rationale tutorials instruct you (here) to use complete sentences in the boxes to avoid incomplete understanding of a claim and sloppy thinking. Try complete (or near complete) sentences in your boxes (unlike concept mapping where words and phrases will work). You don't need the Rationale software for this assignment! CMAP works fine.
4) Argument map the article below by E.O. Wilson, Jared Diamond, Leiberman and Bramble, or the video on Cooking. Before you start mapping, download the argument map template I created. To use the template, I download the .cmap template file to my desktop. I then click on the .cmap template file and the CMap program will eventually load and the template will appear. If you have trouble with this, just follow the format of the template that is displayed on the argument map download page. Use the labels "Reason 1, Reason 2, Evidence, Data, etc.) in your map so that the structure of the author's argument can be easily identify from your map.
5) Using your completed argument map evaluate the argument. Are you convinced by the reasons/evidence Wilson (or the others) presented in support of his claim? Why or why not? You can put your answer in a concept box clearly identified in a corner of your map page. Or, you can type it into the comments section on Blackboard when you upload your map. (Note: If you read Wilson, please read--but don't map--the short piece by John Horgan in response to Wilson's argument. I think it is best when we read two sides of an argument).
Note that argument mapping reveals the structure of an author's argument. You will find weaknesses in an argument such as assertions that are not supported by data/evidence and assumptions that are unexplained. As a practical matter, you will not be able to fill in all boxes in an argument map -- consider what this tells you about the strength of the author's argument. Also consider how you will make arguments in the future.
Your argument will be evaluated based on this criteria (click link).
Wilson: Is War Inevitable?
Diamond: The Worst Mistake in the History of the Human Race
Did Cooking Make Us Human (video)
Lieberman and Bramble, The Evolution of Marathon Running
| wilson_is_war_inevitable.pdf |
An additional resource, if you need it:
Argument Mapping, by Jamel Ostwald
Also read, Smith, How do Archaeologists Make Arguments?
Argument Mapping, by Jamel Ostwald
Also read, Smith, How do Archaeologists Make Arguments?
