English for Academic and

Professional Purposes
Quarter 2 – Module 2:
Identifying and Analyzing
Arguments
 Let Us Learn
As human beings, God gave us the gift of reasoning that is why we
are placed in the highest order of the animal kingdom because we know
how to rationalize. Hence, this module will define what an argument is
and explain why you need one in most of your academic essays. You
shall also be analyzing the type of argument used in various manifestos.
After going through this module, you are expected to:

⚫ analyze and identify the types of arguments used in different

manifestos CS_EN11/12A-EAPP-IIa-d-3;
⚫ justify whether a manifesto has an argument by identifying the
premise and the conclusion; and
⚫ express learning in an essay form based on the rubric given
regarding the argument of Patricia Evangelista on Filipino’s diaspora
or migration.
 Let Us Study
Activity 2: Agree or Disagree

Directions: Ponder on the issues below and say whether you agree or
disagree. Ask one family member to give their reason/s for agreeing or
disagreeing on the topics. Using the Venn Diagram, compare and
contrast your family’s (left) and your reasons (right) for your answer. If
you and a family member have similar answers place it in the middle.
Use a separate sheet for your answers.

1. Studies first before love life.

2. Social media usage should be controlled.

Venn Diagram

Your Similar Family’s

Opinion Opinion Opinion

Let’s answer
● Where did you base your reason/s?
● Do you need to give strong reasons for those questions? Why?

Let’s review and learn some helpful terms

In order for you to analyze arguments, you need to understand

some helpful terms.

What is a Manifesto?
A manifesto is a published declaration of the intentions, beliefs,
motives, or views of someone, be it an individual, group, political party,
or government. It is usually political (for election purposes) or artistic in
nature. However, there are also other types of manifestos that may or
may not contain an argument like:
— Creeds (religious beliefs)
— Educational manifestos
— Scientific and technological manifestos
— Professional manifestos (pertaining to an individual or
organization) __ Personal manifestos

Can you tell the type of manifestos used in the samples?

Sofia Gabriel

I believe that creating a cohesive, vibrant community that unites

both the young and the old is important to nurturing the growth of
individuals. I believe that community artworks are the anchors of this
community, creating and maintaining this sense of community.
Therefore, I believe that works of art, visual and otherwise, should be
created and supported by members of a community as important
reminders and symbols of a cohesive community.

https://www.swarthmore.edu/arts-social-change/sample-
manifestosswarthmore-students

Yes, it is an artistic manifesto (individual sample). Next,

Katie Sipiora
I believe that every child has potential. Regardless of race,
socioeconomic class, or IQ, every child has the ability to contribute to our
world. It can be intellectual-- the next brilliant math or physics
theorem, the next great poem of our time-- it can be athletic--
representing fair play and competition-- it can be artistic-- a song, a
dance, a play. Every child has potential. No child is confined by where
they live, who their parents are, what society expects of them. Every
child can contribute something beautiful to our world. It can be a smile,
a laugh, one good thought. That is all it takes to change someone's life.
(Sample Manifestos by Swarthmore
Students)
https://www.swarthmore.edu/arts-social-change/sample-
manifestosswarthmore-students

Yes, it is an educational manifesto with an argument shown in italics.

Lona Williams
My goal is to restore full services at our local hospital and create
free parking for visitors. I will make sure to provide better care for
the elderly and the most vulnerable in our town. I shall strive to
create jobs in Westwend by lowering taxes and red tape. Together
we will help families overcome the high cost of living by tackling job
insecurity and extending free childcare for working parents.
I will fight for our services and to keep our streets safe. I will
support our rural communities and local businesses. My priority is
you.

Yes, it is a political manifesto but with no argument.

Key Points

What is an argument?

You may wonder why you need to know about the word “argument”
much more you do not have to write it in your assignment for it to be
an important part of your task. The kind of argument we are talking
about here is not what we often used in everyday language which refers
to a heated dispute, a quarrel, a shouting match to see who wins or not
in making a point.
In academic writing, you can never establish a point without an
argument. In fact, making an argument—expressing a point of view on
a subject and supporting it with evidence—is the aim of academic
writing. It is a reason or set of reasons given with the aim of letting
others believe with you that an action or an idea is right or wrong backed
up with evidence to support it. It has premises and a conclusion
(claim).

Example:

1) “The internet is a good invention because 2) it is a source of endless

information and 3) a hub of entertainment.”
Conclusion: 1
Premise: 2, 3

2) Research has shown that people who do at least 30 minutes a day of

vigorous exercise reduce their risk of heart disease and some forms of
cancer.

3) It would be wise for you to begin a daily program of exercise.

Conclusion: 2
Premise: 1

What is a premise then? It is a proposition statement in an argument

that rationalizes or supports the conclusion by providing some evidence.

Example: “All mammals are warm-blooded [major premise]; whales are

mammals [minor premise]; therefore, whales are warm-blooded
[conclusion]."

Example: Nonrenewable resources do not exist in infinite supply.

[premise 1] Coal is a nonrenewable resource. [premise 2] Coal does not
exist in infinite supply. [conclusion]

Let’s look into the terms as a whole

Say for example a cover letter. A cover letter is your chance to

persuade someone that they should hire you — it’s a kind of argument
that people in almost all lines of work have to master.

Thesis: You should hire me. (Claim or conclusion)

 Expected doubt: We need someone with graphic arts skills, which
most people don’t have (inference)
Premise: I studied graphic arts in college. (proof for claim)
Expected doubt: OK, but studying something in college doesn’t mean
you can apply it.
Premise: I also did an illustrator internship during the summer. (proof for claim)
In the cover letter, each paragraph covers out one of the supporting claims,
providing further support and detail. In the end, if you have correctly anticipated
your reader’s doubts, you will persuade them that you are the best person for the
job.

Types of Arguments

Deductive

For a deductive argument, you start with a premise that is

assumed to be true or correct and there is no more logical reason than
a true premise.
For example, you assume that God exists, and He is kind, and then
determine what would logically follow from such an assumption. You
can begin by assuming that if you think of it, then it must exist.

With deduction, you can provide absolute proof of your conclusions,

given that your premises are correct. However, remember that the
premises themselves remain unproven and disprovable.

Examples:

⚫ All men are mortal. Ronald is a man. Therefore, Ronald is mortal.

*The first two statements are true and the conclusion must be true.
⚫ Bachelors are unmarried men. Billy is not married. Therefore, Billy
is a bachelor.
⚫ To hold a Bachelor’s degree at Mindanao State University, a student
must earn 120 credits. Lily has more than 130 credits. Therefore,
Lily has a bachelor’s degree.
Inductive
This type of inferences doesn’t have to be true but probably are. This is
most likely the useful and practical argument we can use.

Examples:

● It usually takes me an hour to get to work, so if I leave at 8:00 I’ll

probably get there by 9.
● My best friend advised me not to skip class, and her advice is
usually good, so I’ll follow it.
● True education makes us behave in the most acceptable manner.
If your ways are objectible, you’re not truly educated.

Let us Practice

Activity 3 To Argue or Not To Argue

Directions: Identify the type of manifesto, the type of argument and

check if they pose an argument or not. Write YES if it has an argument
and NO if it has not. If you answer YES, identify the conclusion and
premise/s? A sample is done for you.

Sample answer:

(1) We must resist all efforts to allow the government to censor

entertainment. (2) Freedom of speech and expressions are essential to
a democratic form of government. (3) As soon as we allow some
censorship, it won't be long before censorship will be used to silence
the opinions critical of the government. (4) The next thing we know, we
will have no more freedom than the Germans did under Hitler.

Answer: YES
Type of manifesto: Professional manifesto
Type of argument: Deductive argument
Conclusion: (2)
Premises: (1), (3), (4)

Start here:
1. Michael Schechter

(1) “Reflective writing may help students become better thinkers. (2) It
helps students realize that ideas are meant to be shared, tackled and
debated. (3) Bob and Jay found that students who did weekly
reflective journal writing about their course content for a semester
could already analyze course concepts at a deeper level than those
who didn’t.
Stepcase Lifehack’s newest contributor

2. Chel Diokno

(1) “If given a chance to make it to the senate, I will make laws that will
improve and speed up the justice system of our country. For me, (2)
lack of transparency is one of the reasons why justice is delayed and
denied. (3) Under the current system, it is very hard to secure SALNs
to investigate justices.”

3. BDO

(1) We find ways.

Let Us Practice More

Activity 4 More is exciting!

Directions: Read President Rodrigo Duterte’s manifesto. What is the

argument posed and on what premise is it based? Is it an inductive or
a deductive argument?

"Life in the universe won't really last that long. But the universe itself
is forever. And we are always a part of that universe. You know, recycled
tayong lahat e. When you die, and you become an atom particle, then
you are thrown away back to the wind."
 Let Us Remember
Put in mind that when analyzing an argument, you need to check
the premise. If it assumes a true or correct claim, it uses a deductive
argument where the premise can be supported with a logical reason or
concrete evidence.
On the other hand, if a premise can somehow be true to you at
times but not all the times, then an inductive argument is used. This
is mostly true to our experience but not generally assumed by the world.

Let Us Assess

Activity 5 Check Your Understanding

Directions: Read the following manifestos. Decide if each of the following

passages is an argument or not. If the passage is not an argument,
explain why, and go to the next item. If it is an argument, indicate the
conclusion, premise(s), and its type. Simply cite the number to indicate
conclusion and premise/s.

Sample answer:

The Philippines should be given priority for the Corona Virus Disease
(COVID) vaccine due to the increasing number of cases each day.

Answer: Inductive Argument

Conclusion: The Philippines should be given priority for the Corona
Virus Disease (COVID) vaccine
Premise: Due to the increasing number of cases each day

1. Standing up for Education.

(1) This manifesto is an attempt to indicate what it means to speak
educationally for education. (2) We need to stand up for education. We
need to protect it [3) in order to respond to attacks and challenges that
aim to tie education either to ‘what is’ or to ‘what is not’, either to a
present that is already fully known or to a future that is already fully
determined but always deferred.
2. My Creed.
(1)“I must take my journey with its highs and lows, joys and sorrows,
love and hate, little procrastination and more hardwork, and faith and
distrust (2)because it is then that when I face my maker I went through
it all and I conquer the evil with good and be confident that He shall
say, job well done!”

3. A Manifesto for Slow Science

In this bold new book, (1) distinguished philosopher Isabelle Stengers
shows that research is deeply interconnected with broader social
interests, which means that (2) science cannot speedily race in isolation
but must learn instead to slow down. (3) Stengers offers a path to an
alternative science, arguing that researchers should stop seeing
themselves as the 'thinking, rational brain of humanity' and refuse to
allow their expertise to be used to shut down the concerns of the public,
or to spread the belief that scientific progress is inevitable and will
resolve all of society's problems. (4) Rather, science must engage openly
and honestly with an intelligent public and be clear about the kind of
knowledge it is capable of producing.

4. Spiderman
“With great power comes great responsibility.”

5. Manifesto for the future of work and organizational psychology.

“We have responsibilities towards individuals: As work and
organizational psychologists, we must keep the wellbeing of individuals
at heart when doing our research and place it central in our research
questions, above and beyond business interests.”
 Defending a Stand
Let Us Learn
This module in English for Academic and Professional Purposes
aims to enhance your communication skills particularly in writing
academic and professional compositions. It is also designed to develop
your ability to utilize appropriate language in defending a stand on an
issue by presenting reasonable arguments supported by properly cited
factual evidence.
(CS_EN11/12A-EAPPIIa-d-4).

Learning Objectives: At the end of the lesson, you shall be able to:
1. identify issues and take a stand;
2. defend a stand on an issue based on reasonable arguments and
factual evidences.
Let Us Study
You have been asked to write a paper that advances and
supports an idea or conclusion you have reached. Whenever you have
done the reading, identify the main point you want to make about a
topic.
Now, let us study some keywords that can help us in defending a
stand on an issue by presenting reasonable arguments supported by
properly cited factual evidences.
Keywords:

• Reasonable argument – able to think, understand, or form

judgments by a logical process.
• Factual Evidence – evidence that tends to prove a factual matter
by proving other events or circumstances from which the
occurrence of the matter can be sensibly gathered with a direct
proof and evidence.
• Issue – an important topic or problem for debate or discussion.

How do you write a stand with reasonable argument? Let us first know
the type of argument claims.

Five Types of Argument Claims

Once you have selected your topic, you must give considerable thought to
developing your claim. There are five different types of claims. If not all
then include some of them in your argumentative essay.

1. Authenticity Whether your claim is a fact or not. Is it true,

will it occur or not?

2. Definition What exactly is it? How can we define it? How

to interpret it? How to classify it?
 3. Value The importance of the issue. Is it worthy or
not? How critical is it to address this issue?

4. Cause and Effect How did it happen? What is the possible

cause? What are its effects?

5. Policy What should be done to tackle the issue? What

laws should be enforced? What changes need
to be made?

https://www.5staressays.com/blog/argumentative-essay-writing

How to write a stand with factual evidences

Setting up the Evidence

Evidence may be a quote from a source, a paraphrase from a

reference, or a visual source like a chart or graph. Use it to help to support
key points in your essay. When well-integrated into your argument, your
use of evidence helps prove that you have done your research and thought
critically about your topic. To introduce evidence in an essay, start by
establishing a claim or idea in the first sentence of the paragraph, then
present the evidence to support your claim. Always analyze the evidence
once you have presented it so the reader understands its value.

1. Set up the evidence in The first sentence in the paragraph or

the first sentence of section of your essay is called the topic
the paragraph. sentence. It should let the reader know
what is going to be discussed in the
paragraph or section. If the paragraph is
one of many in the body of your essay, the
topic sentence should also link to the
preceding section so the transition to a new
section is smooth.

Example: When “Tess of D’Urbervilles” was

published in 1891.It was released in several
version.
 Note: The underline word set up the
evidence in the first sentence of the
paragraph.

1. Introduce an
Tell the reader what you think about
argument or your main topic or idea. Make an
assertion. argument or assertion about the topic of
your essay. The argument should connect
to the evidence you are going to present.
• For example, you may make an
argument like, “Desire is a
complicated, confusing emotion that
causes pain to others.”
• Or you may make an assertion like,
“The treatment of addiction must
consider root cause issues like
mental health and poor living
conditions.”

2. Discuss a specific idea Another option is to focus on a specific

or theme for a less idea or theme that relates to your essay as
direct approach. a whole to introduce the evidence. The idea
or theme should reflect a key idea in the
evidence you are using. This approach may
be a good option if you are writing a paper
that is explorative, rather than
argumentative.

For example, you may write,

• “The novel explores the theme of
adolescent love and desire.”
• Or you may write, “Many studies
show that addiction is a mental
health issue.”

How to stand on an issue

Know Where You Stand

Example
Factors to Consider About the
Issue
 To be certain about what someone
He didn’t even send me a birthday
thinks or feels about you:
card, so I guess I know where I
stand.

To be certain about what your In the old days, the editor was
position and responsibilities are in completely in control, and we all
a situation: knew where we stood.

Source:
https://www.bing.com/search?q=reasonable+argumentfinition&qs=n&form=QBRE&sp=1&pq=reaso
nable+argumentfinition&sc=1-
27&sk=&cvid=1C4D9B3FEF5A40C2A2EB8470D7E8C27A

The purpose of argument writing is to present a position and to

have an audience adopt or at least seriously consider your argument.
Good argument writing is critical, assertion-with proof-writing.
It should reflect a serious attempt on the writer’s part to have considered
the issue from all angles—to have analyzed and synthesized all
arguments on the subject, and having done so, chosen the most logical
and reasoned position.
It is imperative that you do not insult or judge your reader by
suggesting that he/she is somehow less intelligent or knowledgeable if
he/she does not accept your position.
Avoid making absolute statements that could somehow exclude
your particular reader (“Anyone with even a high school education must
believe”).
Try to anticipate your audience’s objections to your position.
Acknowledge these opposing arguments and, if you can, refute them.
Some writers try to engage the audience by offering compelling
statistics, an intriguing story, or a rhetorical question. These are
excellent tools to draw the reader into the argument, but do not over-
rely on gimmicks to engage the audience. Your job is not to ask many
rhetorical questions; your job is to anticipate and answer audience
questions.
Now, let me give you an issue based on properly cited factual
evidence.
Sample Thesis Paragraphs:

Thousands of Americans suffer daily from depression and

anxiety, and without some kind of help these illnesses can be
unbearable. In 1987, Eli Lilly and Co. presented to Americans what they
and many others believed to be a miracle drug, the antidepressant,
fluoxetine, commonly called Prozac. Prozac was designed to be the
optimal solution to mental distress. It was marketed as having less side
effects than other antidepressants, and as being effective in treating
patients suffering anything from anxiety to depression to bulimia,
obsessive and compulsive disorders (“Singing” 76). From the beginning
of its use, however, the drug has been surrounded by controversy. Many
doctors and patients blame Prozac for terrible side effects and mind
altering experiences. Violent behaviors, including murder and suicide,
have been directly linked to Prozac use. Therefore, while the drug may
be useful in isolated cases, overwhelming medical evidence suggests
that Prozac is potentially dangerous to one’s mental and physical
wellbeing, and should thus be banned from use in the mental health
profession.

In 1995, three Southern states reinstituted the use of chain

gangs as part of their new prison reform systems. The reappearance of
chain gangs in this country has rekindled strong objections from people
who believe that this is a form of cruel and unusual punishment and
that chaining human beings together violates the civil rights of our
inmates. Advocates of the chain gang, however, believe that the
American prison system is in dire need of reform. They argue that
prisons are no longer places of punishment and reform, but are places
where prisoners can receive free medical care, free college education,
and even free cable television. Indeed, there is a strong case to be made
that chain gangs, when executed humanely, will serve as a valuable
deterrent to crime by making the prison experience more rigorous.
Chain gangs may also play an important part in rehabilitating criminals
by putting them to work and offering some kind of restitution to the
community they victimized.
Source:
https://www.bing.com/search?q=factual+evidence+definition&form=ED
GEAR&qs=HS&cvid=
04aa6a2afa944614935b993c82764fb2&cc=PH&setlang=enUS&DAF0=
1&plvar=0&PC=POTS

Let Us Practice
Every now and then, you find the need to take a stand on an issue.
How do you defend this stand? How do you convince others about the
soundness of your position?

ACTIVITY 2: Standing Strong!

This activity will help you in defending and giving your stand
about an issue or text. In most cases, writers choose words freely
because language is arbitrary. Simple language has greater impact on
the audience. You can use your dictionary or a thesaurus in writing a
composition. The same idea that can be expressed through similar
expressions.

Directions: Read and understand the poem “Ulysses” by Alfred Lord

Tennyson.

Let us remember that the time when we are weak. You need to
stand and fight for the battle against life. Be strong and courageous at
all times.

Question: What is your stand about Tennyson’s poem?

Write your answer on a SHORT BOND PAPER. (80-100 words)

“Made me weak by the time and fate

But strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find
And not to yield.”

Retrieved From: Page 125-126 The Case for Short Words (cited in EAPP
Learners’ Material)
 Let Us Practice More
Activity 3: Stick to the Issue!

Directions: Below is a sample argumentative essay. In this essay, the

writer tries to point out the issues presented by Rober Kuttner in his
article, “The Other Side of Email”. In column A write the issues found
in the essay and in Column B write your stand with reasonable
arguments and factual evidences to support your stand.
Write your answers in a SHORT BOND PAPER.

Now, let us read the essay below and do the activity that follows.

Electronic communication has become a part of every

aspect of our society and is recognized as being one of the most
important and influential aspects of the way we carry out
business. The days of anxiously waiting by the mailbox for news
from a long-distance relative or lover are over. We no longer
send cute, labor-intensive, hand-written letters to relatives, and
close ones. Instead, they are sent via e-mails. Email-type
technology has made it much easier to contact other people in
the same city, and even others around the world. In other
words, instead of actually taking the time to write a letter to a
friend through the mail, one can send an e-mail that takes
about three seconds as opposed to three or more days. In the
article “The Other Side of E-Mail,” author Robert Kuttner
explains the other side of email and technology, the dark side.
Kuttner says that although technology offers us many
conveniences, such as being able to send and receive messages
instantly, it brings along many drawbacks, such as privacy
infringement.
 I agree with Kuttner’s thoughts on these downsides of
technology. In my opinion, internet and email technology have
definitively made our lives easier, but it has put our personal
information at risk, significantly limited privacy, and leads to a
waste of our time on a daily basis. Kuttner describes several
negative effects of messaging technology. First one is that we
might waste too much time in the E-mail and our privacy might
be compromised. Social networking sites, like Facebook, have
gotten users hooked on to the internet as if it were a drug.
Almost every person I can think of has a Facebook account
nowadays. A recent survey estimates that more than 85% of all
college students use Facebook and more than 30 million users
update their status at least once each day.

Source: https://www.studymode.com/essays/The-Other-Side-Of-Email-1246223.html

Issues found from the text My Stand with Reasonable

Arguments and Factual
Evidences

1. 1.

2. 2.

3. 3.

4. 4.

5. 5.