Your Opinions Are Baseless: How to Build Arguments That Matter

And Be Prepared to Counter Those with Baseless Opinions

Photo by Maria Lysenko on Unsplash

Ever find yourself in an argument only to realise you don’t have a leg to stand on? I suspect we’ve all been there. Let’s become more ambitious and make arguments you can feel good about. The kind that not only stand up to logical analysis but that incline people to see your point of view. Welcome to a Black Belt Guide to Argument Construction.

Understanding the Anatomy of an Argument

First it’s productive to get clear on the structure of an argument, or what makes an argument an argument. At its simplest elements, an argument has three basic parts.

1. Claim: The statement you’re arguing for.

2. Evidence: The data or information supporting your claim.

3. Warrant: The logic that connects the evidence to the claim.

So far, this is ok as a first step. But if you want your kids to start making arguments of consequence, you must explore the second step.

Step 1: Deep Dive into Evidence

Beyond the Surface