Chapter 1

Criteria for Designing and Evaluating Argument Diagramming Tools from the Point of View of Argumentation Theory

Silvia De Ascaniis

Abstract

The technique of diagramming arguments was used since the second half of the last century by modern theorists of argumentation such as Wigmore, Toulmin and Beardsley, with theoretical as well as didactic aims. Today, a number of software applications (Argument Diagramming tools) are devoted to support the production of arguments, their analysis and evaluation. Their effectiveness is usually assessed considering the impact they have on people’s acquisition or reinforcement of critical thinking skills. This chapter aims at suggesting criteria to design and evaluate Argument Diagramming tools from the point of view of argumentation theory. Two types of criteria are presented: interaction-related criteria, which are based on the conception of argumentation as a communicative interaction; and argumentation-related criteria, which derive from the very features of argumentation as a specific kind of reasoning.

Total Pages: 3-27 (25)

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