5 TIPS for Including FICTIONAL Examples in Your Arguments

Garden of English

12 May 202408:28

Summary

TLDRIn this informative video, Tim Frus from the Garden of English discusses the importance of using substantial evidence to support arguments, especially in academic settings like the AP Language Exam. He cautions against relying on hypothetical situations and emphasizes that while hypotheticals are often weak, they can be useful when discussing fictional literature, which inherently explores hypothetical scenarios. Tim provides a detailed guide on how to effectively incorporate literary examples into argumentative writing, including how to select and describe the literature, link it to universal truths, and use cause and effect language to strengthen the argument. He also offers a template for bridging fictional examples to universal experiences, ensuring that the argument is not weakened by the fictional nature of the evidence used.

Takeaways

📚 It's crucial to support arguments with substantial evidence to appear reasonable.
🚫 Avoid relying heavily on hypothetical situations as they are often not strong evidence.
📚 Hypothetical scenarios can be used effectively when discussing fictional literature, which is inherently hypothetical.
🎓 The use of literary examples in an argument paper doesn't inherently make it stronger; the strength lies in the argument itself.
📝 AP exam readers expect strong arguments, and it's okay to use fiction as long as it's done well.
🔍 Selecting strong evidence was covered in a previous video, which is linked for further information.
📖 When using fiction, ensure the description is detailed enough for someone unfamiliar with the work to understand.
🚫 Keep descriptions of the fictional work to a maximum of five sentences and a minimum of three.
🔗 Acknowledge the fictional nature of the example but connect it to universal truths to make it concrete evidence.
➡️ Use cause and effect language in the commentary to strengthen the argument.
📌 Include additional comparative examples to further substantiate the argument.

Q & A

What is the main point Tim Frus emphasizes about using evidence in arguments?
-Tim Frus emphasizes the importance of supporting arguments with substantial evidence to present oneself as a reasonable person. He cautions against relying heavily on hypothetical situations when real evidence is lacking.
When does Tim Frus consider hypotheticals to be acceptable as evidence?
-Tim Frus considers hypotheticals to be acceptable as evidence when using fictional literature to prove a point, as fiction, although entirely hypothetical, can explore universal truths and experiences.
What is the common misconception Tim Frus addresses about using literary examples in argument papers?
-The common misconception is that a paper becomes intrinsically stronger if the writer chooses to use a literary example over one from the real world simply because the reader may enjoy reading. Tim Frus clarifies that the strength of the paper depends on the quality of the argument, not just the source of the example.
What does Tim Frus suggest for the first step in using a fictional example in an argument?
-The first step is to provide specific details from the fictional work that will substantiate the claims made in the argument. This should be done in three to five sentences, ensuring that someone unfamiliar with the work can understand the general premise.
How should one transition into discussing a fictional example in an argument?
-One should use a transitional phrase such as 'for instance,' 'for example,' or 'take for example' to smoothly introduce the fictional example into the argument.
What is the purpose of discussing the universal truths in the commentary section when using fiction as evidence?
-Discussing universal truths helps to connect the fictional example with real-world experiences and makes the argument stronger. It substantiates the argument by showing that the fictional scenario explores experiences that are relatable and true to life.
Why is it important to use cause and effect language in the commentary when discussing a fictional example?
-Cause and effect language helps to develop the commentary by clearly showing how the fictional example supports the argument. It provides a logical connection between the events in the fiction and the points being made in the argument.
What is the rule of thumb regarding the number of sentences used to describe a fictional example in an argument?
-The rule of thumb is to summarize the fictional example in no more than five sentences and no less than three. This ensures that the example is clearly understood without becoming a distraction from the argument.
How can linking a fictional example to an actual event help strengthen an argument?
-Linking a fictional example to an actual event helps to solidify the literary example by showing that the themes and experiences depicted in the fiction have real-world parallels. This makes the argument more relatable and persuasive.
What is the role of the thesis statement in structuring an argument that includes literary examples?
-The thesis statement sets the main argument that the essay will prove. It should be strong, complex, and directly address the prompt. In the context of including literary examples, the thesis guides how the examples will be used to support the overall argument.
What are the basic rules to follow when using fiction as an example in an argument?
-The basic rules include providing specific details to substantiate claims, summarizing the fiction in three to five sentences, acknowledging the fictional nature of the example and linking it to universal truths, connecting the fictional example to an actual event if possible, and using cause and effect language in the commentary.

Outlines

00:00

📚 The Importance of Substantial Evidence in Arguments

Tim Frus introduces the significance of supporting arguments with real evidence rather than relying on hypothetical situations. He emphasizes that while hypotheticals are often weak, they can be useful when drawn from fictional literature. Frus stresses the importance of appearing reasonable by using substantial evidence and provides a link to a previous video on selecting strong evidence.

05:00

📝 Misconceptions about Literary Examples in Argument Papers

Frus addresses the misconception that using literary examples inherently strengthens an argument paper. He clarifies that strong arguments are valued, whether they use literary or real-world examples. He also notes that AP exam readers do not expect literature-based examples but advises using them effectively if chosen.

🌟 Crafting a Thesis and Using Literary Evidence

Frus presents a thesis from a previous prompt, highlighting its complexity and clarity. He explains the importance of acknowledging nuances in arguments and outlines the structure of a body paragraph using literary examples. He plans to use 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' and 'Frankenstein' to illustrate the dangers of the obsessive pursuit of knowledge.

📖 Incorporating Literary Examples Effectively

Frus details how to summarize literary examples in three to five sentences, ensuring clarity for readers unfamiliar with the texts. He advises against excessive summarization and emphasizes linking examples to the argument to enhance credibility.

🔗 Linking Fiction to Universal Truths

Frus explains how to connect fictional examples to universal truths, using cause-and-effect language to strengthen arguments. He highlights the importance of transforming fictional scenarios into solid evidence by linking them to real-life experiences and universal concepts.

🛠️ Rules for Using Fiction in Arguments

Frus outlines five rules for using fiction in arguments: provide specific details, limit summaries to three to five sentences, acknowledge potential issues with fictional examples, link fiction to real-life experiences, and use cause-and-effect language. He offers a video document with templates and additional examples for further practice.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Arguments

Arguments refer to the process of presenting reasons or evidence to support a particular point of view. In the video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of using substantial evidence to support arguments, which is crucial for presenting oneself as a reasonable person. The video provides tips on how to incorporate fictional literature into argument responses, which is a unique approach to strengthening one's argument.

💡Substantial Evidence

Substantial evidence is the solid, factual information that backs up an argument. The video script stresses that relying on hypothetical situations is often insufficient, and instead, using real evidence is imperative. This is key to convincing an audience of the validity of one's position.

💡Hypotheticals

Hypotheticals are scenarios that are not real but are proposed for the sake of argument or to illustrate a point. The speaker in the video suggests that hypotheticals are often not strong evidence, except when used within the context of fictional literature, which can sometimes serve as a valid form of evidence in argumentation.

💡Fictional Literature

Fictional literature refers to literary works that tell stories which are not based on real events but are created from the author's imagination. In the context of the video, the speaker discusses how fictional literature can be used effectively as evidence in arguments, especially when it is linked to universal truths and experiences.

💡Cause and Effect

Cause and effect is a relationship between events where one event (the cause) influences another event (the effect). The video emphasizes the importance of using cause and effect language in the commentary section of an argument to develop a strong argument and to show how the fictional example supports the argument's point.

💡Universal Truths

Universal truths are principles or facts that are widely accepted and applicable across various contexts. The video script discusses the necessity of connecting fictional examples to universal truths to make them serve as solid evidence in an argument, thus giving the argument more weight and credibility.

💡Comparative Examples

Comparative examples are used to draw parallels between different scenarios or cases to reinforce an argument. The video provides an example of using multiple literary works to illustrate a point about the destructive nature of the obsessive pursuit of knowledge, thus strengthening the argument through comparison.

💡Concession Paragraph

A concession paragraph is a part of an argument where the writer acknowledges the opposing viewpoint before refuting it or showing why their own argument is still stronger. In the video, the speaker uses a nuanced paragraph to concede that exploring the unknown might sometimes be detrimental but argues that it is generally beneficial.

💡Thesis

A thesis is a statement that presents the main idea or argument of a written work. The video script includes an example of a thesis in response to a prompt, which sets the stage for the argument that will follow and guides the reader's understanding of the writer's position.

💡Body Paragraph

A body paragraph is a part of an essay that presents and develops the points that support the thesis. The video script outlines how to construct a body paragraph that includes literary examples, ensuring that the paragraph is detailed and effectively supports the thesis.

💡Linking Fiction to Reality

Linking fiction to reality involves connecting the events or themes from a fictional work to real-world experiences or truths. The video script provides guidance on how to do this effectively in an argument, ensuring that the fictional examples serve to strengthen rather than weaken the argument.

Highlights

It's crucial to support arguments with substantial evidence to present oneself as reasonable.

Relying on hypothetical situations can weaken an argument as they are often considered unreliable.

Fictional literature can serve as valid evidence in arguments, especially when it illustrates universal truths.

The use of fictional examples in arguments should be done well to avoid appearing as 'fake news'.

AP exam readers expect strong arguments, and the use of literature is acceptable as long as it strengthens the argument.

A strong thesis should be complex, nuanced, and directly answer the prompt.

When using a fictional example, it's important to describe it in detail without exceeding five sentences.

The commentary section is key to linking the fictional example with the actual argument.

Cause and effect language is essential for developing strong commentary.

Admitting the fictional nature of examples and connecting them to universal truths can make them solid evidence.

Comparative examples can further substantiate an argument by showing a pattern or principle.

Basic rules for using fiction in arguments include providing specific details, acknowledging the fictional nature, and linking to universal experiences.

The video provides a template for bridging from fictional examples to universal experiences.

Incorporate verbs, adverbs, and adjectives to maximize the precision of the writing.

Selecting details that are necessary to prove the point is crucial, avoiding unnecessary plot details.

The video includes an example and a template for effectively using fictional literature in argumentative writing.

Different methods for writing about fiction as evidence in argument papers are explored through student examples.

The video concludes with an invitation to learn about writing personal anecdotes and faith-based examples in argument papers.