TOPOS: An Advice System for the Invention of Persuasive Arguments

Abstract

This article presents a conceptual model for a computer assisted, advice-giving system to help speakers or writers develop lines of arguments in persuasive situations. The model combines a traditional bibliographic database of issues-oriented publications with sets of terse conclusions and an expectancy-value attitude paradigm to form a type of expert system. It would supply lists of conclusions concerning an issue that the persuader uses to measure or estimate the audience's attitudes. The system would analyze those measurements and give advice based on rhetorical theory. The output would be a set of statements about how best to develop arguments, accompanied by supporting literature citations. It is proposed that the advice would not only teach argument development to beginning students, but it would become a cognitive tool in their repertoire of skills.

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