Ideology is a network of basic values, beliefs, and assumptions that tend to guide a person's view of the world. If you keep an open-mind as you read, your initial stance or opinion may be swayed or changed. Ideology is subject to change. Your views may change during further reflection of a topic. It may also be changed as you read what other people point out about a topic with an open-mind.
A classical argument involves two components: truth seeking and persuasion. Truth-seeking is diligent, open-minded, and responsible search for the best course of action or solution to a problem, considering all possibilities and points of view. Persuasion is making a claim and justifying it convincingly so that the audience's initial resistance to your position is overcome and they are moved toward your position.
It is important not to think of an argument as a fight. Think of it instead as promoting understanding, new ways of seeing, and change. Another view of an argument to avoid is a pro/con debate. Debating is two-sided with a clear winner and a clear loser. Controversial arguments involve many points of view and are much more complex. Rather than fight or debate, argument is both a process and a product. As a process it is fact-finding, information gathering, and consideration of alternative points of view. As a product, an argument is someone's contribution to the conversation.
The goal of argument as process is truth seeking: the goal of argument as a product is persuasion. There are five skills and stages of development that will help you grow as an arguer.
Stage 1: Argument as a personal opinion. The argument is passionate, but there is no reason or evidence why someone should agree with your opinion.
Stage 2: Argument structured as a claim supported by one or more reasons.
Stage 3: Increased attention to truth seeking. Often willing to change their positions when they see the power of other arguments.
Stage 4: Ability to articulate the unstated assumptions underlying their arguments.
Stage 5: Ability to link an argument to the values and beliefs of the intended audience.
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