Examples - Please read them carefully (click here to hide/see)
Example arguments against "Social media should be banned".
Argument |
Justifications |
We have to be honest. Social media does not make people polite. But it makes our lives
easier and more interesting.
|
Select all justifications one could provide:
have a comfortable life
(from "easier lives"),
have pleasure (also from "easier lives"),
have an exciting life
(from "more interesting"),
have a varied life
(also from "more interesting").
But do not select justifications for concessions
( be polite)
or empty phrases
( be honest,
be logical,
have an objective view
for "We have to be honest").
|
Social media helps friends to stay connected.
|
Select justifications for the main point(s) of the argument (here: have a sense of belonging
from staying connected). But do not select justifications that need further reasoning
( have social recognition
being easier if one has more friends, and one can have more friends through staying
connected) or for supportive expressions
( be helpful
for "helps friends").
|
Social media allows one to be helpful to friends even if one is not with them.
|
Also select a justification if it is explicitly mentioned in the argument
( be helpful).
|
Social media needs to become independent of big companies and their money based influence.
|
Also select a justification if it would concern non-human entities (like "social media"
be independent)
.
But do not select justifications that are present in a negative way
( have influence,
have wealth
for "money based influence").
|
Social media is free, which is especially useful for families that barely get by.
|
There are three justifications closely related to money, but rarely should all three be
selected:
have wealth
for being so rich that it gives one power over others;
have a comfortable life
for having no pressing financial (or non-financial) worries; and
have no debts for not having obligations to
return money (or favors).
|
Example arguments in favor of "Social media should be banned".
Argument |
Justifications |
Through social media people can spread biased opinions on topics or misinform the general
public.
|
Use the examples for each justification to get a better understanding of the justifications
( have freedom of thought
from reduced misleading influence on people's thoughts).
But do not select justifications only because they are connected to the topic in
general
( have privacy
for the general threat of social media to privacy: it is not mentioned here).
|
Social media is a waste of time.
|
In the rare case that no justification fits, suggest a new justification as a comment on the
argument. For example, "good to use what you have (time)". Also write a comment if an
argument makes no sense to you.
|