Question

What is the importance of identifying whether an argument (either your own or a speaker’s) is a proposition of fact, value, or policy?

Answer 1

Let us refer definitions of argument, fact, value, and policy from dictionary. Argument means discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against some proposition. The fact means an assertion of verified information about something that has happened. Value is defined as an ideal that is accepted by an individual or group. Policy is defined as plan of action adopted by individual or group.

Argument takes between two individuals or groups; here one tries to convince another through the speech or discussion. Now, if the motive of an argument is to convince an individual, then there arises a question what is to be convinced. The question here is what needs to be convinced or conveyed from one to another; is it verified information about something happened (fact), is it ideology or new norms to be adopted (value), is it about plan of action set as acceptable for individual or group (policy). It should identified what suggestion the argument giving, what the message it is trying to convey. Without identifying what the argument about and what is the intention and expected result of argument, one cannot learn what the communication trying to convey.

Hence, for effective understanding about what the purpose and intention of argument and necessary action regarding assessing the argument, it is imperative to understand what the argument trying to convey-that is fact or value or policy.