Article published in:
Argumentative StyleEdited by Frans H. van Eemeren
[Journal of Argumentation in Context 10:1] 2021
► pp. 8–25
Examining argumentative style
A new theoretical perspective
Frans H. van Eemeren | ILIAS
In this theoretical expose, it is argued that the notion of argumentative style is more encompassing and at the same time
more specific than the more familiar notion of linguistic style. According to van Eemeren, argumentative styles always have three
dimensions: the selection of standpoints, starting-points, arguments or other argumentative moves (topical choice dimension), the adjustment
of argumentative moves to the frame of reference and preferences of the listeners or readers (audience demand dimension), and the choice of
verbal or non-verbal means for advancing argumentative moves (presentational dimension). In argumentative discourse, the three dimensions of
argumentative style manifest themselves in the argumentative moves made in trying to resolve a difference of opinion (analytic overview),
the dialectical routes chosen in making these argumentative moves (argumentative pattern) and the strategic considerations brought to bear
in this endeavour (strategic design). Van Eemeren explains what this means in practice by discussing the distinctive features of the three
dimensions of two general categories of argumentative styles that can be regularly encountered, in one variant or other, in argumentative
discourse: detached argumentative styles and engaged argumentative styles.
Keywords: analytic overview, argumentative pattern, argumentative style, audience demand dimension, detached argumentative style, engaged argumentative style, pragma-dialectics, presentational dimension, strategic design, topical choice dimension
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 2.A pragma-dialectical definition of argumentative style
- 3.The manifestation of argumentative styles in the discourse
- 3.1The argumentative moves that are made
- 3.2The dialectical route that is followed
- 3.3The strategic considerations that are brought to bear
- 4.The use of argumentative styles to realize the arguer’s strategic scenario
- 4.1Two general categories of argumentative styles
- 4.2Detached argumentative styles
- 4.3Engaged argumentative styles
- 5.Conclusion
- Acknowledgements
- Notes
-
References
Published online: 04 February 2021
https://doi.org/10.1075/jaic.20022.eem
https://doi.org/10.1075/jaic.20022.eem
References
Claes, P., & Hulsens, E.
Eemeren, F. H. van
(2017) Argumentative patterns viewed from a pragma-dialectical perspective. In F. H. van Eemeren (Ed.), Prototypical argumentative patterns. Exploring the relationship between argumentative discourse and institutional context (pp. 7–29). Amsterdam-Philadelphia. John Benjamins. Argumentation in Context 11. 

Eemeren, F. H. van, & Grootendorst, R.
Perelman, C., & Olbrechts-Tyteca, L.
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