The+Classical+Argument

= **The Classical Argument** = Since rhetors began teaching Greek farmers strategies for appealing their cases to Greek courts in the fifth century B.C., the **//classical argument//** has stood as a model for writers who believe their case can be argued logically and plausibly to an open-minded audience. In its simplest form, the classical argument has five main parts:

The **//introduction//**, which warms up the audience, establishes goodwill and rapport with the readers, and announces the general theme or //thesis// of the argument. The **//narration//**, which summarizes relevant [|background material], provides any information the audience needs to know about the environment and circumstances that produce the argument, and set up the stakes–what’s at risk in this question. The **//confirmation//**, which lays out in a logical order (usually strongest to weakest or most obvious to most subtle) the [|//claims//] that support the [|thesis], providing evidence for each claim. The **//refutation and concession//**, which looks at opposing viewpoints to the writer’s claims, [|anticipating objections] from the audience, and allowing as much of the opposing viewpoints as possible without weakening the thesis. The **//summation//**, which provides a strong conclusion, amplifying the force of the argument, and showing the readers that this solution is the best at meeting the circumstances.