Want To Argue?

     I found the reading of the first two chapters of Writing Arguments to be quite interesting and eye opening. Upon reading that the definition of an argument I was surprised to find out that it was “not a fight or a quarrel” (Ramage, Bean and Johnson 2). I can now see that I have been in far few arguments than I had previously thought. But, the amount of fights and quarrels are almost staggering. I would definitely have to agree with the authors of Writing Arguments, in regards to arguing, that it can be quite pleasurable (2). Especially when you are certain that the facts firmly support your side of the debate.

     I can say that the most frustrating situation for myself is trying to argue a point with someone that is willing engage in the argument with you, but have no basis of actual facts to support their side of the argument. This is the point at which the argument evolves itself into a quarrel. I am often amazed at the effort some put into trying to convince you that they are right, and you are wrong, based on an opinion that they have. Often times they cannot even explain to you why they have formed a particular opinion. I find that most people put in a situation where you are challenging them on their facts will fall back on the old faithful statement of: “That is just what I believe.” How do you argue with that? And what relevance do their beliefs have if they have no facts to back it up? I appreciated the fact that the reading brought out that besides the art of persuasion, an argument consist of individuals continually seeking the truth (Ramage, Bean and Johnson 13).

     I feel that I often emerge victorious in most arguments that I find myself a part of. But, I do not usually engage in the argument in the first place, unless I feel I have the facts to firmly support my position. Once I do engage though, it is quite enjoyable, almost sport like.

Works Cited

Ramage, John, John Bean and June Johnson. Writing Arguments: A Rhetoric With Reading. New York: Longman, 2010.