Class Discussion: Stasis Theory

A Clarifies a rhetor's understanding of an issue before combining an argument.
-Audience opinions, assumptions, values
-Areas where more research can be done
-Possible proofs to support argument
-Effective arrangements of these proofs.

First article: Murphy
Topic: Voting/Political Participation
Question: Should young adults participate in the political process? (voting)
Theoretical: Abstract ideas- Should youth participate in politics? Is voting the way to decide a community's direction?
Practical: Action/specific activities-Should youth vote in the 2008 election

What is IT?
Conjecture: Is there an act to be considered?
a"Purity" of the democratic process
b Lack of political participation
Questions: Is there a reason young people don't participate? What proof do we have young people don't vote? How can it be changed? Are political parties targeting them? Why do political parties think the young people are important? What kind of ways are they participating in and what are they not doing? What would get them interested and excited about participating?

Definition: What kind of thing is it/ What parts make it up?
Questions: What kind of thing or event is it? To what larger class of things does it belong? What are its parts? How are they related? What kind of thing is "VOTING"? Is voting a luxury, a duty, a right, a privilege, or a responsibility, obligation?
What is "POLITICAL PARTICIPATION"? What are its parts?

Quality: Simple- Is it a good or bad thing? Should it be sought or avoided? Comparative- Is it more desirable than alternatives? Or less desirable? Is it more or less right than something else? Is it more base than something else?
Is it right to vote without knowing the issues and candidates vs. note voting at all? Is it honorable to vote for a candidate whose ideas you support but you know isn't going to win? Is it more base to pay attention to the political process when there's so much negativity or is it more base to tune out it all. Is it a good thing to participate in the political process? Is it better for the youth to participate in the process or should the experienced vote?