What is an Argument by Example?

S2-SA5-0210

Grade Level:

Class 7

NLP, Law, History, Social Sciences, Literature, Journalism, Communication

Definition

What is it?

An Argument by Example is a way of proving a general statement by showing specific cases or instances where it holds true. You use one or more examples to convince someone that your main idea is correct.

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine your friend says, 'All street food stalls in our city use fresh ingredients.' You might argue, 'That's not always true. Just yesterday, the pani puri stall near the main market ran out of fresh mint, and the bhel puri stall near the school often uses old sev.' Here, you're using specific examples to challenge a general statement.

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's say you want to argue that 'Students who play sports generally perform well in academics.'

Step 1: Identify the main claim: 'Students who play sports perform well in academics.'

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Step 2: Think of specific examples of students you know who fit this. For instance, consider Rohan from Class 7.

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Step 3: Provide details for the first example: 'Rohan plays cricket for the school team and practices daily. He also scored 92% in his last science exam and 88% in maths.'

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Step 4: Think of another example to strengthen your argument. Consider Priya from Class 8.

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Step 5: Provide details for the second example: 'Priya is a state-level badminton player. She recently won a tournament and also secured 90% in English and 85% in Social Science.'

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Step 6: Conclude by linking the examples back to your main claim: 'These examples of Rohan and Priya show that students who play sports often manage their time well and excel in their studies too.'

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Answer: By presenting Rohan and Priya as specific instances, the argument supports the general idea that sporty students often do well in academics.

Why It Matters

Understanding Argument by Example helps you present your ideas clearly and persuasively, whether you're writing an essay or debating with friends. It's crucial in fields like law, journalism, and social sciences, where evidence from real cases or situations is used to support claims. Journalists use it to report trends, and lawyers use it to build cases.

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Using only one example to prove a very broad statement. | CORRECTION: For general statements, use multiple, diverse examples to make your argument stronger and more convincing.

MISTAKE: Using examples that are not relevant or don't truly support the main point. | CORRECTION: Always ensure your examples directly relate to and clearly illustrate the claim you are trying to make.

MISTAKE: Presenting examples without explaining how they connect to the main argument. | CORRECTION: After giving an example, briefly explain how it supports your overall point to make the connection clear for your audience.

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: You want to argue that 'Indian festivals bring families together.' Give one simple example to support this. | ANSWER: During Diwali, my entire family, including my grandparents and cousins, gathers at our home to light diyas and share sweets.

QUESTION: You are arguing that 'Mobile phones are useful for learning.' Provide two different examples to support this claim. | ANSWER: My sister uses her phone to watch educational videos for her science projects, and I use mine to look up meanings of difficult words while reading my English textbook.

QUESTION: Your friend says, 'All online shopping is bad because you can't see the product.' Formulate an Argument by Example to counter this, using two specific instances where online shopping was good. | ANSWER: That's not always true. Last month, I ordered a specific textbook online that wasn't available in any local store, and it arrived quickly. Also, my mom bought a new saree online after reading many positive reviews and found it to be exactly as described, saving her a trip to the market.

MCQ

Quick Quiz

Which of the following best describes an Argument by Example?

Proving a point by comparing two different things.

Supporting a general statement by giving specific instances or cases.

Making a statement without any evidence.

Using an expert's opinion to back up a claim.

The Correct Answer Is:

Option B correctly defines an Argument by Example as using specific instances to support a general statement. The other options describe different types of arguments or incorrect approaches.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

You see Arguments by Example everywhere! When a politician talks about how a new policy will help people, they often give specific examples of families or villages that will benefit. Or, when a food delivery app like Swiggy promotes its service, they might show testimonials from customers talking about quick deliveries or delicious food, using those positive experiences as examples to convince others.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

ARGUMENT: A reason or set of reasons given with the aim of persuading others that an action or idea is right or wrong. | EXAMPLE: A thing characteristic of its kind or illustrating a general rule. | CLAIM: A statement that someone asserts to be true. | EVIDENCE: The available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid. | GENERALIZATION: A general statement or concept obtained by inference from specific cases.

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Great job learning about Arguments by Example! Next, you can explore 'Argument by Analogy,' which builds on this by comparing two similar situations to make a point. This will further strengthen your ability to construct persuasive arguments.