Since more than one side of a subject must be considered before we can claim to

have deliberated upon it fairly, we ought to think of argumentation under two

aspects: building up an argument, and tearing down an argument; that is, you

must not only examine into the stability of your structure of argument so that

it may both support the proposition you intend to probe and yet be so sound that

it cannot be overthrown by opponents, but you must also be so keen to detect

defects in argument that you will be able to demolish the weaker arguments of

those who argue against you.

 

We can consider argumentation only generally, leaving minute and technical

discussions to such excellent works as George P. Baker's "The Principles of

Argumentation," and George Jacob Holyoake's "Public Speaking and Debate." Any

good college rhetoric also will give help on the subject, especially the works

of John Franklin Genung and Adams Sherman Hill. The student is urged to

familiarize himself with at least one of these texts.

 

The following series of questions will, it is hoped, serve a triple purpose:

that of suggesting the forms of proof together with the ways in which they may

be used; that of helping the speaker to test the strength of his arguments; and

that of enabling the speaker to attack his opponent's arguments with both

keenness and justice.

 

TESTING AN ARGUMENT

 

I. THE QUESTION UNDER DISCUSSION