An argument reflects the point of view of an individual.
Argument is a term that comes from the Latin word argumentum . It is the reasoning that is used to demonstrate or prove a proposition or to convince another person of what is affirmed or denied.
For example: "Before you get angry, you should listen to my arguments" , "You cannot defend such an idea without any argument" , "The argument given by the manager to explain the decision did not satisfy anyone" , "Dr. López trusts that your argument will allow you to obtain the benefit .
Characteristics of the argument
The argument is the expression , whether oral or written, of a reasoning . It allows you to justify something as a reasonable action with two possible purposes: to persuade another subject (to promote a certain action) or to transmit content with a sense of truth (promoting understanding ).
An argument must be coherent and consistent, without exhibiting contradictions. Only in this way will it be able to meet its objectives, otherwise it will be refuted or rejected by the recipient.
The concept at the judicial level
This term in question becomes an element of great value within the judicial field . And it is precisely the arguments that are the key for a lawyer to be able to prove the innocence of his client or, in the opposite case, the guilt of the accused against whom his client is going.
In either situation, what is clear is that before the judge the lawyer must present solid and irrefutable arguments that make it clear that what he defends is the truth.
Among the main resources that the defense can use to achieve "victory" in the trial are the alibi, procedural irregularity, the grounds for justification and the grounds for exemption from criminal liability. This last element is one in which the accused acknowledges having committed the crime but also that it was impossible for him to avoid it due to a loss of consciousness, because he was coerced, because he suffers from dementia or because he has a diminished capacity.
Lawyers, in short, must make a convincing presentation . Beyond showing proof or evidence that cannot be refuted, it is key that the speech manages to accurately convey its perspective. In this framework, they can appeal to various rhetorical tools so that the argument achieves the desired effect.
The succession of situations and events in a work of narrative is known as a plot.
Argument types
It should be noted that, for logic , an argument is a set of premises followed by a conclusion . When this conclusion necessarily follows from the premises, we speak of a deductively valid argument.
According to the procedure followed, it is possible to distinguish between multiple types of arguments:
- Inductive arguments : They go from the specific to the general and require creativity. In these cases, the truth of the premises does not guarantee the truth of the conclusion.
- Deductive arguments : They go from the general to the specific. Starting from probable or certain premises, they allow us to reach a valid conclusion.
- Causal arguments : They follow the law of cause and effect. They are based, therefore, on a relationship that seems necessary, although perhaps it is not.
- Abductive arguments : They take two independent premises and link them to arrive at a conclusion that is probable but cannot be verified.
Let's look at some examples of these reasonings:
- If someone invests in the stock market and earns millions, it is likely that we will all earn millions by making a stock investment ( inductive argument ).
- If dogs have four legs and Bobby is a dog, Bobby has four legs ( deductive argument )
- Every time I drink beer, I get a headache. Therefore, beer is the cause of my current headache ( causal argument )
- I know that Pedro didn't study for an exam. I invited him to go play soccer and he told me he was grounded. I can maintain that Pedro was punished for not studying for the exam ( abductive argument )
The characteristics of the arguments vary depending on the genre and style of the proposals.
The matter of a work
Another use of argument is linked to the subject or issue that is discussed in a work . When a person narrates the plot of a movie or a book, what he or she does is expose the main ideas and actions: "It is a very well-acted comedy, but with a predictable plot," "The plot of the filmmaker's new film caused a great controversy in the Arab world .
In this case, it must be stated that the term argument is often confused with the terms synopsis and summary . However, the differentiation that can be made is the following:
- The plot expresses in a few lines what the work is about.
- The synopsis consists of making a brief account of the book or movie, giving an account of the names of some characters or more specific details.
- The summary follows the lines of the synopsis but is longer than it.
Another related concept is the idea of plot . In this case, the plot is associated with how the interconnected events that imply the development of the plot are ordered.
The plot is the succession of events experienced by the protagonists and antagonists. There is an introduction that serves as a presentation, then the conflict arrives and finally some type of resolution is reached in the denouement or climax.