Argumentation May 2015 Open Access

Going Multimodal: What is a Mode of Arguing and Why Does it Matter?

Leo Groarke University of Windsor

Abstract

During the last decade, one source of debate in argumentation theory has been the notion that there are different modes of arguing that need to be distinguished when analyzing and evaluating arguments. Visual argument is often cited as a paradigm example. This paper discusses the ways in which it and modes of arguing that invoke non-verbal sounds, smells, tactile sensations, music and other non-verbal entities may be defined and conceptualized. Though some attempts to construct a ‘multimodal’ theory of argument are criticized, it advocates for an argumentation theory that makes room for visual arguing and for other non-verbal modes that have not been explored in depth. In the process, the paper provides a method for identifying the structure of multimodal arguments and argues that adding modes to our theoretical tool box is an important step toward a comprehensive account of argument.

Journal
Argumentation
Published
2015-05-01
DOI
10.1007/s10503-014-9336-0
CompPile
Search in CompPile ↗
Open Access
OA PDF Hybrid
Topics
argument multimodality
Export
BibTeX RIS

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (9)

  1. Lewiński (2025)
    One Concept of Argument
    Argumentation
  2. Laar (2024)
    Multimodal Argument as Dialogue
    Argumentation
  3. Champagne et al. (2020)
    Why Images Cannot be Arguments, But Moving Ones Might
    Argumentation
  4. Rossini (2020)
    An Early Renaissance Altarpiece by Domenico Veneziano: A Case of Visual Argumen…
    Argumentation
  5. Marraud (2018)
    Arguments from Ostension
    Argumentation
Show all 9 →
  1. Aberdein (2018)
    Virtuous Norms for Visual Arguers
    Argumentation
  2. Eckstein (2017)
    Radiolab’s Sound Strategic Maneuvers
    Argumentation
  3. Godden (2017)
    On the Norms of Visual Argument: A Case for Normative Non-revisionism
    Argumentation
  4. Kjeldsen (2015)
    The Study of Visual and Multimodal Argumentation
    Argumentation

Cites in this index (2)

  1. Aspeitia (2012)
    Words and Images in Argumentation
    Argumentation
  2. Gilbert (2002)
    Effing the Ineffable: The Logocentric Fallacy in Argumentation
    Argumentation
Also cites 13 works outside this index ↓
  1. David Birdsell (2007)
    Birdsell, David, and Leo Groarke. 2007. Outlines of a theory of visual argument. Argumentation and Advocacy 4…
    Argumentation and Advocacy  ↗
  2. Linda Carozza (2007)
    Carozza, Linda. 2007. Dissent in the midst of emotional territory. Informal Logic 27(2): 197–210.
    Informal Logic  ↗
  3. Ian Dove (2012)
    Topical themes in argumentation theory
     ↗
  4. Eveline Feteris (2011)
    Keeping in touch with pragma-dialectics
     ↗
  5. Michael A Gilbert (1994)
    Gilbert, Michael A. 1994. Multi-modal argumentation. Philosophy of the Social Sciences 24(2): 159–177.
    Philosophy of the Social Sciences  ↗
  6. Rick Iedema (2003)
    Iedema, Rick. 2003. Multimodality, resemiotization: Extending the analysis of discourse as multi-semiotic pra…
    Visual Communication  ↗
  7. Jens Kjeldsen (2007)
    Kjeldsen, Jens. 2007. Visual argumentation in Scandinavian political advertising. A cognitive, contextual and…
    Argumentation and Advocacy  ↗
  8. Lenore Langsdorf (2003)
    Anyone who has a view: Theoretical contributions to the study of argumentation
     ↗
  9. Robert C Pinto (2001)
    Argument, inference and dialectic: Collected papers on informal logic
     ↗
  10. Georges Roque (2012)
    Topical themes in argumentation theory
     ↗
  11. Michele Smith (1982)
    Smith, Michele, Leon G. Smith, and Benjamin Levinson. 1982. The use of smell in differential diagnosis. The L…
    The Lancet  ↗
  12. Anthony Synnott (1991)
    Synnott, Anthony. 1991. A sociology of smell. Canadian Review of Sociology and Anthropology 28: 437.
    Canadian Review of Sociology and Anthropology  ↗
  13. Paul Hoven van den (2012)
    van den Hoven, Paul. 2012. Getting your ad banned to bring the message home? A rhetorical analysis of an ad o…
    Informal Logic  ↗
CrossRef global citation count: 59 View in citation network → Build reading path →

Related Articles

  1. Argumentation Jan 2026
    Non-verbal Artifacts and Propositionality: Adjusting Speech Act Theory To Accommodate Multimodal Argumentation ↗
    Maciej Grzenkowicz
    discourse analysis argument multimodality
  2. Res Rhetorica Jun 2025
    Rhetorical and linguistic devices in the argumentation against supporting Ukraine in the radicalized Polish media sphere ↗
    Katarzyna Molek-Kozakowska; Jan Paszczyński
    rhetorical criticism argument multimodality literacy studies
  3. Research in the Teaching of English May 2025
    Argument as Architecture: Constructing an Alternative K–12 Writing Paradigm for Collective Civic Futures ↗
    Nicole Mirra; Kia Turner; Antero Garcia
    discourse analysis writing pedagogy argument assessment multimodality literacy studies
  4. Assessing Writing Apr 2025
    Designing a rating scale for an integrated reading-writing test: A needs-oriented approach ↗
    Aynur Ismayilli Karakoҫ; Peter Gu; Rachael Ruegg
    first-year composition argument assessment empirical research multimodality literacy studies
  5. Argumentation Dec 2024
    Multimodal Argument as Dialogue ↗
    Jan Albert van Laar
    argument multimodality