After reading Chapter 1, I was educated as to what an argument really is. When someone thinks of an argument, including myself prior to the reading, they think of two or more people, more or less, fighting. If you were to say, "Oh, Mom and Dad are arguing again.", one would think they are always fighting, but that's far from the truth...usually. It may come to that point, but an argument is "a creative and productive activity that engages us at high levels of inquiry and critical thinking" (Ramage, Bean, & Johnson 4). An argument is not meant to produce a winner or a loser, but for two sides to put their point across.
Arguments come in more than one form. A billboard, for example, could be an argument because it persuades people to that point of view. That's one thing I never thought of as I drive down the highway. All the billboards you see depicting certain things, trying to coax you into using that product or to "go green", or what have you. The beauty of an argument is, not only do you have to persuade someone to your point of view, but you have to have supporting evidence that you can fall back on. People will know when you're "blowing smoke", rather than giving them the facts.
Point is, if you come to argue your point, know that it's not just yelling and screaming. It's a well-prepared, fact-oriented and truth seeking persuasion that you are trying to get across to other people.
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