The Language of Argument

6 5

A n E x t e n d e d E x a m p l e

tone. This is a common device, and when it is used, it is often useful to ask

whether anyone would actually argue or speak in the way suggested. When

the answer to this question is no, as it often is, we have what was called “the

trick of discounting straw men” in Chapter 3 (see also Chapter 17). In such

cases, it is useful to ask what the speaker ’s opponent would have said in-

stead. This leads to a further question: Has the arguer even addressed him-

self to the real arguments of his opponents?

So far, Kyl has not addressed himself to the first main point of his argu-

ment: that the measure is expensive. This is not a criticism, because he is re-

ally making the preliminary point that the matter of expense is significant.

Here he has stated some incontestable facts—for example, that the budget is

already out of balance. Beyond this he has indicated, with varying degrees

of strength, that the financial situation is grave. It is against this background

that the detailed argument concerning the cost of the measure is actually

presented in the next paragraph.

The amount of increase does not appear large. I trust,

however, there is no one among us who would suggest

that the addition of a clerk would not entail allowances for

another desk, another typewriter, more materials, and it is

not beyond the realm of possibility that the next step would

then be a request for additional office space, and ultimately

new buildings. Some will say , “All the Members will not

use their maximum, so the cost will not be great.” And this

is true. If the exceptions are sufficient in number to consti-

tute a valid argument, then there is no broad general need

for this measure. Furthermore, some Members will use these

additional funds to raise salaries. Competition will force all

salaries upward in all offices and then on committee staffs,

and so on. We may even find ourselves in a position of

paying more money for fewer clerks and in a tighter bind on

per person workload.

a. “The amount of increase does not appear large.” Words like “appear”

and “seem” are sometimes used for guarding, but we must be careful not to

apply labels in an unthinking way. The above sentence is the beginning of a

discounting argument. As soon as you hear this sentence, you can feel that a

word like “but” or “however” is about to appear. Sure enough, it does.

b. “I trust, however, there is no one among us who would suggest that

the addition of a clerk would not entail allowances for another desk, another

typewriter, more materials... .” This is the beginning of Kyl’s argument that

is intended to rebut the argument that the increase in expenses will not be

large. Appearances to the contrary, he is saying, the increase will be large.

He then ticks off some additional expenses that are entailed by hiring new

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