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Achieving Stasis By Asking The Right Question: Chapter Summary

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Chapter 3, “Achieving Stasis by Asking the Right Question” The stasis theory defined in chapter three of our textbook is basically a systematic approach to asking questions about rhetorical situations in order to develop a strong argument for it. Through the use of the stasis, one could have a much stronger argument that is not easily denied and would also prove to be more persuasive. The chapter starts out by discussing the steps to achieving stasis. According to the text, we should begin with a statement that could be agreed or disagreed upon an “issue” (58). To begin with, rhetors should consider the limit of the question they frame; whether it should be general, specific, or more specific. This works as a thesis statement that sets tone to the rest of argument. The more general the question is, the more research that would be required in order to address the broad topic. A rhetor might choose a more general question for his/her topic simply because there are many ideas that need to be covered. …show more content…

Conjecture specifies whether an act had happened and describes the general occurrences of the argument. Definition would simply define the meaning of such act, while quality would determine whether such an argument is right or wrong, or how serious it is. Policy, the last aspect would be the question of procedure, what should be done (65). This sequence of questions would provide smoother development to the argument, as the article claims, “the determination of the question for debate will give rise to another question” (65). However, this procedure is only intended to help rhetors how to open the argument and where to start because “its use does not guarantee that you will generate any useful proofs, much less that you can begin to draft a speech or paper at this stage of you preparation”

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