Jones, Rebecca. “Finding the Good Argument OR Why Bother With Logic?.” writingspaces (2010): 156.

This is an article that discusses the misconception of considering an argument being negative at all times. Jones makes a reminder that there is no instance where people acknowledge an argument to be positive. She introduces the article with a comic about two cartoons arguing. In the end, they resolve the argument with a rumble. This comic is a demonstration of how mentioning the word argument leaves a sour taste in people’s mouths. She also uses a metaphor by George Lakoff and Mark Johnson, both popular linguists, where they describe the word argument as a form of war. The metaphor suggests how all is fair in war, resulting in all the negative politics and propaganda so common in the news. Politicians convince audiences in debates using intelligent tactics. Debate being an argument begs the question of why is it more friendlier, or whether the word argument is substituted by the word debate to make it more approachable.

She also goes on to discuss how notable figures in the civil rights era argued for what they considered vital without resorting to violence. She mentions Mahatma Gandhi, Jane Adams, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and how their peaceful response to hate demonstrates arguing does not always mean violence. The purpose of her article is to break the notion that argument must always be perceived in the negative. She proposes that argument can be viewed on the positive-good argument. She sends across this point by checking her tone because she is championing a non-heated argument. Her use of complete vocabulary and references to events of the 20th century indicates that she targets, politicians, company workers, and chief executive officers.

Although she does not provide background, her references, which include the philosophies of Aristotle and Plato, English, war, and government books, suggests that she may be a teacher or an active debater. It is clear that her article does not address silly daily life arguments such as which artist is better? Who will handle what chore? Or who gets to eat the last piece of the chicken? Her use of examples does so well to convince that there is actually a notion like a good argument.

Works Cited

Jones, Rebecca. “Finding the Good Argument OR Why Bother With Logic?.” writingspaces (2010): 156.