Brandon’s Commentary
I spent several years in prison between 16 and 24 yrs old. Now I am Dr. Brandon Warren, Director of Reentry Services and Adjunct Professor for a College-in-Prison program. I make commentary relevant to those affected by the criminal justice system, especially reentry issues, correctional education, critical thinking and philosophy.
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Sunday Oct 01, 2023
Sunday Oct 01, 2023
The information in this video is somewhat of a repeat. I had a few more points to make about the meaning of words and didn't know where to include them. There are 4 distinctions mentioned:
1. Words can be CONCEPTUALLY ambiguous, meaning that the concepts are still debated. Conceptually ambiguous words include freedom, justice, racism, virtue, and equity.
2. Words can be CONTEXTUALLY ambiguous, meaning that the word itself is not up for debate but can have different meanings based on context. Contextually ambiguous words are words like trunk and bad.
3. Words have a DENOTATIVE aspect to their meaning. The denotative meaning, or "denotation", is the direct and literal meaning of a word as defined by a dictionary.
4. Words have a CONNOTATIVE aspect to their meaning. The connotative meaning, or connotation", is the implied or suggested meaning of a word based on emotional associations that are determined by factors like one's environment, community, culture, etc.
Sunday Oct 01, 2023
Sunday Oct 01, 2023
Sunday Oct 01, 2023
Sunday Oct 01, 2023
Sunday Oct 01, 2023
Sunday Oct 01, 2023
Sunday Oct 01, 2023
Sunday Oct 01, 2023
Sunday Oct 01, 2023
In addition to whether a claim is a "Main Claim" versus numerous other MINOR claims one might make in an argument, claims can be classified into
1) claims of FACT
2) claims of CAUSE AND EFFECT
3) claims of VALUE
4) claims of DEFINITION
Sunday Oct 01, 2023
Sunday Oct 01, 2023
WARNING! I'm not happy with the way this one came out. I realize I should incorporate visual aids like charts, animation, and B-roll because things can be confusing but I don't have time to do it. :( I'm waiting on some of you video editors to get out and help me with these projects!
Here's a visual aid for most of what I'm saying in this video:
Introduction: Say What You're Gonna Say
1. Common Ground
2. The problem being addressed
3. Your Thesis/Main Claim/Main Idea/Main Point/Conclusion
4. Brief explanation of how the argument will proceed
Body: Say It
Premise 1/Claim 1Reasons and Evidence for Premise 1/Claim 1
Premise 2/Claim 2Reasons and Evidence for Premise 2/Claim 2
Premise 3/Claim 3Reasons and Evidence for Premise 3/Claim 3
Conclusion: Say What You Said
1. Restatement of your Common Ground
2. Restatement of the Problem that was addressed
3. Restatement of your Thesis/Main Claim/Main Idea/Main Point/Conclusion
4. List the implications of your conclusion (in other words, explain what the implications and consequences are if your thesis is true
5. List further areas of study or research that are needed in this area