Expressed and Implied Arguments in the Media and Definition

Expressed and Implied Arguments in the Media and Definition

Assignment Requirements

In the argument chapter, you learned about expressed arguments (overt arguments attempting to persuade the audience towards a point of view) and implied arguments (arguments that appear on the surface not to be arguments but actually seek to persuade the audience of a point of view or views). For this DQ, provide a specific example from the media of an expressed argument and an implied argument and answer the following questions:

What is the expressed argument you identified? What specific argument does the author make? What evidence does the author use to support his or her claims?
What is the implied argument you identified? What specific argument does the author make? What evidence does the author use to support his or her claims?
Why is it important to understand expressed and implied arguments?
How might you use your understanding of expressed and implied arguments when drafting your first essay in this course?

Solution 1


What is the expressed argument you identified?

In The Guardian News newspaper, the author writes that the Senator promises his county people saying that “I will mend potholes on all-weather roads and ensure that all households access fresh water” (Leader, 2018). He adds that “however, whether or not this will happen depends upon the amount of money allocated to us by the Federal government.” In this statement, the senator clearly says what he will do for his people within a given time stating the source of money and the possibility of failing to deliver the promise is the Federal government fails him.

What specific argument does the author make?

The author reports that the presence of such kinds of leaders in the society has a long history of salvaging the economic condition and improving the living standards of the otherwise neglected people (Purvis, 2015). He adds that more often than not, the presence of corrupt people in the procurement departments impedes the process of service delivery to innocent people.

What evidence does the author use to support his or her claims?

The author cites the failure of the government to build first-class hospitals in the county as an example of the effects of corruption that has failed the government delivering its pledges to people (Hampton, 2017). He suggests that the government is, however, committed to seeing to it that all the directors who will be found culpable of siphoning money that the government allocates to counties will face the full force of the law.

What is the implied argument you identified?

The author states that the senator said, “I will mend all the potholes on all-weather roads and ensure that all households access fresh water.” However, the author adds that “the same politician also promised two years ago that he will pay school fees for all the needy students in the county once he resumes office” (Arnold, 2013).

What specific argument does the author make?

The author points out that two years ago, the politician made similar promises to people, in that case, assuring them that the burden of schooling should be one of the core elements of the government’s responsibility. Additionally, he said that his responsibility as the ambassador of the less privileged will be to neutralize the ‘playing’ and facilitate equitable distribution of resources and services to all (Leader, 2018).

What evidence does the author use to support his or her claims?

The author cites more examples of failed pledges that politicians make to innocent people who literally believe an eagerly wait to see them come through (Hampton, 2017). For instance, he cites the escalated costs of maternal care and early childhood education as examples of what people should actually expect instead of relying on stint political remarks which are actually made to enhance their PR.

Why is it important to understand expressed and implied arguments?

It is important to understand both the implied and the expressed arguments because the implied argument enables one to derive the author’s hidden meaning which is usually stated in a few words to avoid getting themselves into loggerheads with the person they talk about (Arnold, 2013). On the other, understanding ones expressed argument helps to understand their motives and points of view.

How might you use your understanding of expressed and implied arguments when drafting your first essay in this course?

I might use my understanding of expressed arguments to avoid creating an impression that my motives are ill-driven (Purvis, 2015). Additionally, I might use it whenever the need is, to clearly orchestrate my opinions on matters arising to avoid contradicting my points and making ambiguous statements. On the other hand, I might use implied arguments to cut long stories short and hide my feelings from the statements I make.

References    

Arnold, Bruce. (2013). To the waters and wind. Irish Independent. Dublin: Independent News and Media. Retrieved 28th July 2013.

Hampton, Mark. (2017). The Press, Patriotism, and Public Discussion: The Manchester Guardian and the Boer War. The historical journal. 44(1): 177-197

Leader. (2018). Time for change? The Press and the People. London: Manchester Guardian. General Council of the Press. 2018, p.14

Purvis, June. (2015). Unladylike behavior. The Guardian. London: Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 4th June 2018

Solution 2


An example of an expressed argument in the media can be found in an article from the New York Times entitled “Why We Should Abolish the Death Penalty.” In this article, the author, Adam Gopnik, clearly and explicitly states his argument that the death penalty should be abolished in the United States. He argues that the death penalty is not only ineffective as a deterrent to crime but also morally unjust, as it is disproportionately applied to marginalized groups and often results in the execution of innocent people.

Gopnik provides evidence to support his claims by highlighting examples of wrongful convictions that have led to the execution of innocent people and discussing studies that have shown that the death penalty is not an effective deterrent to crime. He also discusses the moral implications of state-sponsored killing and the fact that the death penalty is disproportionately applied to marginalized groups.

An example of an implied argument in the media can be found in a news segment from Fox News entitled “Is the United States becoming a socialist country?” In this segment, the Fox News anchors present a segment discussing the current political climate in the United States and the growing popularity of socialist policies, such as universal healthcare. While they do not explicitly argue that the United States is becoming a socialist country, they provide examples of politicians who are advocating for socialist policies, and they express alarm at the increasing popularity of these policies.

The anchors of Fox News make an implied argument by suggesting that socialist policies are bad and that the United States should not move towards socialism. They use evidence such as describing some politicians as socialist and portraying socialist policies in a negative light.

It is important to understand expressed and implied arguments because they can help us to better understand how arguments are presented in the media. By identifying expressed and implied arguments, we can better evaluate the evidence and reasoning presented in an argument, and we can also better understand the motivations behind an argument. For example, in the Fox News segment, by identifying the implied argument, we can better understand the political agenda of Fox News, and by identifying the expressed argument in the New York Times article, we can better understand the author’s position on the death penalty.

When drafting our first essay in this course, understanding expressed and implied arguments will be useful in identifying the arguments of other sources and analyzing the evidence and reasoning presented in those arguments. Furthermore, it will also help us to be more aware of any potential biases in the media sources we use and use this understanding when constructing our own arguments and sources.

In conclusion, the understanding of expressed and implied arguments is crucial to understanding and evaluating arguments and media. In the example of the New York Times article and the Fox News segment, we saw how both the expressed and implied arguments provide different perspectives and evidence that help in understanding the message of the source. As we move forward in this course, identifying and evaluating both types of arguments will be crucial in constructing our own arguments, analyzing the arguments of others, and understanding the motivations behind those arguments.

References

Gopnik, A. (2019). Why We Should Abolish the Death Penalty. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/18/magazine/death-penalty-abolish.html

Fox News. (2021). Is the United States becoming a socialist country? Fox News. Retrieved from https://www.foxnews.com/watch/fox-news-primetime/is-the-united-states-becoming-a-socialist-country

Expressed and Implied Arguments

Solution 3


An example of an expressed argument in the media can be found in an op-ed from the Washington Post entitled “The Case for Universal Basic Income.” In this article, the author, Andrew Yang, clearly and explicitly states his argument that the United States should implement a Universal Basic Income (UBI) program. He argues that a UBI program would provide financial stability for individuals and families, reduce poverty and inequality, and stimulate economic growth.

To support his argument, Yang provides evidence from UBI pilot programs that have been implemented in other countries, such as Finland and Canada, that have shown positive results. He also points to the potential for UBI to mitigate the effects of automation on the workforce and the increasing income inequality in the United States. Yang also argues that UBI would be an effective solution to poverty, as it would provide a guaranteed source of income to people, without the bureaucracy and stigma associated with welfare programs.

An example of an implied argument in the media can be found in a news segment from Fox News entitled “The Increasing Cost of College Education.” In this segment, the Fox News anchors present a segment discussing the rising cost of college education and the financial burden it places on students and their families. While they do not explicitly argue that college education is not worth the cost, they provide examples of students who are struggling to pay off student loans and express alarm at the increasing cost of tuition. They also describe the potential risks of students taking on debt, such as the high interest rates on student loans.

The anchors of Fox News make an implied argument by suggesting that college education is not worth the cost and that it is causing a financial burden on students and families. They use evidence such as the high cost of tuition and the struggles of students to pay off their student loans, to portray college education in a negative light.

It is important to understand expressed and implied arguments because they can help us to better understand how arguments are presented in the media. By identifying expressed and implied arguments, we can better evaluate the evidence and reasoning presented in an argument, and we can also better understand the motivations behind an argument. For example, in the Fox News segment, by identifying the implied argument, we can better understand the political agenda of Fox News, and by identifying the expressed argument in the Washington Post article, we can better understand the author’s position on the Universal Basic Income.

When drafting our first essay in this course, understanding expressed and implied arguments will be useful in identifying the arguments of other sources and analyzing the evidence and reasoning presented in those arguments. Furthermore, it will also help us to be more aware of any potential biases in the media sources we use and use this understanding when constructing our own arguments and sources. By understanding both types of arguments, we can better evaluate the evidence and reasoning presented and construct arguments that are supported by credible sources.

In conclusion, the understanding of expressed and implied arguments is crucial to understanding and evaluating arguments and media. In the example of the Washington Post article and the Fox News segment, we saw how both the expressed and implied arguments provide different perspectives and evidence that help in understanding the message of the source. As we move forward in this course, identifying and evaluating both types of arguments will be crucial in constructing our own arguments, analyzing the arguments of others, and understanding the motivations behind those arguments.

References

Yang, A. (2021). The case for universal basic income. The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/04/06/case-for-universal-basic-income/

Fox News. (2021). The Increasing Cost of College Education. Fox News. Retrieved from https://www.foxnews.com/watch

Solution 4


An example of an expressed argument in the media can be found in an article from The Guardian entitled “Why Climate Change Requires A Just Transition.” In this article, the author, Naomi Klein, clearly and explicitly states her argument that tackling climate change must be done in a way that addresses social and economic inequality. She argues that a “just transition” approach to climate change would ensure that the burden of reducing emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change is shared fairly, rather than falling disproportionately on marginalized communities.

To support her argument, Klein provides evidence from studies that show how marginalized communities are disproportionately impacted by climate change and how these communities have been left out of previous efforts to address climate change. She also points to examples of successful just transition policies, such as the creation of green jobs in communities that were historically reliant on fossil fuel industries, which has helped to mitigate the impacts of climate change while creating jobs and reducing poverty and inequality. Klein also highlights the need for a just transition as a way to create a sustainable future for all people.

An example of an implied argument in the media can be found in a news segment from Fox News entitled “The Costs of Renewable Energy.” In this segment, the Fox News anchors present a segment discussing the costs of renewable energy and the financial burden it places on individuals and businesses. While they do not explicitly argue that renewable energy is not worth the cost, they provide examples of individuals and businesses who have had to pay higher electricity bills due to the implementation of renewable energy and express alarm at the increasing cost of renewable energy. They also describe the potential risks of investing in renewable energy, such as the high cost of installation and maintenance of renewable energy systems.

The anchors of Fox News make an implied argument by suggesting that renewable energy is not worth the cost and that it is causing a financial burden on individuals and businesses. They use evidence such as the high cost of renewable energy and the struggles of individuals and businesses to pay for renewable energy, to portray renewable energy in a negative light.

It is important to understand expressed and implied arguments because they can help us to better understand how arguments are presented in the media. By identifying expressed and implied arguments, we can better evaluate the evidence and reasoning presented in an argument, and we can also better understand the motivations behind an argument. For example, in the Fox News segment, by identifying the implied argument, we can better understand the political agenda of Fox News, and by identifying the expressed argument in The Guardian article, we can better understand the author’s position on the just transition approach to tackling climate change.

When drafting our first essay in this course, understanding expressed and implied arguments will be useful in identifying the arguments of other sources and analyzing the evidence and reasoning presented in those arguments. Furthermore, it will also help us to be more aware of any potential biases in the media sources we use and use this understanding when constructing our own arguments and sources. By understanding both types of arguments, we can better evaluate the evidence and reasoning presented and construct arguments that are supported by credible sources.

In conclusion, the understanding of expressed and implied arguments is crucial to understanding and evaluating arguments and media. In the example of the The Guardian article and the Fox News segment, we saw how both the expressed and implied arguments provide different perspectives and evidence that help in understanding the message of the source. As we move forward in this course, identifying and evaluating both types of arguments will be crucial in constructing our own arguments, analyzing the arguments of others, and understanding the motivations behind those arguments.

References

Klein, N. (2021). Why climate change requires a just transition. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/11/why-climate

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