Week 1 Post 2

Today in class we learned about how arguments are constructed.  I found that when proposing points for an argument, it helps to organize it by coming up with arguments that fit into the three categories of "Pathos", "Ethos" and "Logos".  When one assesses an argument from this perspective, it makes it easier to determine not only what type of argument you are using, but also what may be the most effective.  For example, our group was arguing the affirmative side of the smoking ban on campus.  I felt that our most effective argument was under our "ethos" category.  This argument stated that it is unethical to subject non-smoking students and other bystanders to the harmful effects or discomfort of second hand smoke.  I felt like this was a good argument for our side.  In the future, I think it will be helpful to organize or brainstorm for ideas and points for an argument by organizing them into these three categories and finding out which arguments make stronger points than others.