The Story of ARGUMENT

Once upon a time, there lived a beautiful girl in a complex but awesome village called MIND. Her name was ARGUMENT. She was active and had a high curiosity. People said she had a huge potential. But she didn’t notice it. She liked just go around and played without direction.

On a shiny day, when she just travelled around her village, she met a boy.  He happened to pass by her village. He is so cool with a good suit and appearance. His name was DEBATE. ARGUMENT didn’t have enough time to know him since he had to go in no time. She really liked him. But ARGUMENT realized that she was ugly. Every side of she look worst. She went to her distant friend named URGENCY. They used to be really close, but since ARGUMENT always walked around and left her behind, they never talked too much again.

“Can I look prettier?” asked ARGUMENT as she arrived in URGENCY’s home and sit in the chair next a flower pot.

“Why is so sudden? Of course you can,” replied URGENCY without stared at her. She relieved that ARGUMENT came.

“I miss you, by the way.  And no, I don’t know why I want to be pretty,”

“Does something happen?” Tell me!”

“Well, I just met by a boy. He is flawless. And then I just want to be pretty. That’s all.”

“Oh, I see. This is my specialization. Don’t call me URGENCY if I can’t explain it to you. You want to be pretty because you met a fabulous boy. You want to attract him but you realize that you look bad, poor and so sad and he won’t notice you, ”said URGENCY enthusiastically.

“You get it, don’t you? I just realize now. So, how is your idea to make me pretty,” asked ARGUMENT happily.

“I am sorry, I can’t help you more. Maybe you can talk to ASSERTION. He is your closest friend, aren’t you?”

“Of course I do. Good bye, URGENCY! Thank you by the way.” ARGUMENT ran off and headed to ASSERTION’s home.

“Why are you in hurry, ARGUMENT?” asked ASSERTION.

“You always be my good friend. I want your advice.”

“Tell me!”

“How is to be a pretty girl?” ARGUMENT asked with shy.

“Because I am ASSERTION, I’ll tell you. You can change your clothes and start to dress nicely. Your clothes look like you want to go to cemetery. An adorable gown will make you flawless,” said ASSERTION.

“How can I make an adorable gown?” asked ARGUMENT.

“I don’t know. Maybe my friend named REASONING can help you. Go meet him next to apple tree in the edge of river!”

“I’ll go. Good bye, ASSERTION. Thank you.”

***

ARGUMENT went to meet REASONING. As she arrived to REASONING’s house, she was welcomed well. She introduced herself and told her about DEBATE and the advice from URGENCY and ASSERTION before. REASONING liked to talk a much. She always gave her a question even in every answer she spoke.

“What do you want, dear?” asked REASONING to ARGUMENT after she handed a cup of tea to her.

“I want to make an adorable gown,” replied ARGUMENT.

“An adorable gown is a gown that fits to you. It is not only by the size but also fits with your characteristic. As I see, you are a cheerful person. I guess your favorite color is blue and yellow. Am I wrong?”

“Yes, you are right.” ARGUMENT felt so enthusiast.

“First of all, you must know that to dress up properly is really important. Nice dress will make people respect for you. Because they think that you are worth for time to talk. And a talk is a gate to closer to someone. Gown is really special for women. It is our identity and every single girl will look beautiful in gown. It will attract people in first sight. But you must remember beauty is not only come with your gown but also your character. And with use blue and yellow gown will highlight your personality. It is a perfect color to show your cheerfulness and kindness. Blue is color for happiness and yellow is a color of caring. So with blue-yellow gown, DEBATE will come to you. You and he will become closer.”

ARGUMENT was so excited to hear it from REASONING. It was a clear advice. But she had another question.

“How does blue-yellow gown look like?”

“I am sorry. I cannot answer. Go to EVIDENCE. He will tell you more” said REASONING.

ARGUMENT felt so amazed since she entered EVICENCE’s house. It was so comfortable and he had so many books.

“What's wrong, ARGUMENT?” said EVIDENCE. His eyes were on the newspaper in his hand.

 “I want to know how a good blue-yellow gown looks like,” replied ARGUMENT.

“Come closer to me. This is a picture of Princess Jennifer from Wheterland. She is kind and cheerful a lot like you. When she wore this blue-yellow gown she succeeds to attract Prince Ken from Laterland. It is proven to you that blue-yellow gown is a good choice to attract boy.

When ARGUMENT kept attention to the picture of Princess Jennifer, LINKBACK come to EVIDENCE’s house.

“Hello, ARGUMENT, what are you doing here?” asked LINKBACK.

“Hi, LINKBACK. How have you been?” Then ARGUMENT started to tell her story from meeting DEBATE until all of her friend’s advice. LINKBACK heard it seriously.

“But I still confuse of any of their advice. I don’t know where to start” ARGUMENT added.

“Let me take it simple. You want to attract DEBATE through your blue-yellow gown and highlighting your personality which is cheerful and kind with that dress.”

“Yes, that’s it. Now I know. Thank you, LINKBACK, goodbye EVIDENCE. I must go home now.” ARGUMENT ran off and left EVIDENCE and LINKBACK behind.

On their way home, ARGUMENT was really excited. Now she can attract DEBATE. But she had another question. Fortunately, she met MECHANISM. He repaired a broken bridge near her house.

“Hello, MECHANISM!” greeted ARGUMENT.

“Hi, ARGUMENT. Can I help you with something?”

"Actually, yes. I had a question. Is it enough to attract a boy just by blue-yellow gown?"

“I think not. You still need make-up and accessories. It will make you more shine.  Choose small earrings. For your dress, it is good with its color. But you must remember the detail. Don’t go with a big bow. It will make you look smaller. Choose your hairpin carefully. Don’t make it shine more than your earrings.”

“Thank you so much, MECHANISM!” ARGUMENT said that while she was running. MECHANISM laughed to see that.

In her home, ARGUMENT started to make her gown. She did all her friend’s advice. When it was done, she looked herself in the mirror with that gown. She was fabulous and prettier than before. That made her felt so amazed.

Unfortunately, ever since the day they met, DEBATE never came to her village again. But ARGUMENT still felt very happy. Since because of DEBATE, ARGUMENT could start to dress herself up well by noticing all of her friends’ advice. It made her a flawless girl in her village until now. And with that, she can attract any other boys.

From the story above, what is the moral value?

People always have argument or opinion, in any kind of matters. But they usually fail to convince people to agree with them. Argument is not about true or false, but it is abou logic or not. So that, people will easily understand and agree with your point. To make a logical and strong argument, you should not forget with basic elements that establish your argument, which is ASSERTION, REASONING, EVIDENCE, and LINKBACK or take it simple; A.R.E.L.

Assertion is your basic assumption or perception. It is a statement that you strongly believe is true (Cambridge dict, 2008). Your assertion must be followed by reasoning. Reasoning will tell on why your assertion is true. You must answer all of "why". And then you support your assertion and reasoning with evidence or example. It will make your argument stronger and more understandable. And then, highlight your important point by using linkback. Argument will be more comprehensive if it contain some mechanism. Mechanism is on how you reach your goal and to complete your point.

This kind of developing argument not only for debate but also to answer a question, to speak in front of people, and to speak out your idea. If you rely on that pattern, people will easily agree with your opinion.

Argument without assertion is nonsense. Argument without reasoning is assumption. Argument without evidence is bluffing. Argument without linkback is not clear.

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