Grouping arguments
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Grouping arguments

In complex argument maps there will often be areas in which the arguments have a common theme, for example. Different areas of a debate (sub-debates) can be visualized using Groups.

Note

An arrangement in groups only applies to one argument map. Thus, arguments can be grouped in different ways in different argument maps.

In our example, we will group together all arguments concerning the question of whether software is intellectual property.

Creating an argument group

  1. Select all arguments concerning the question of whether software is intellectual property ("Intellectual property", "Mathematical algorithms", and any other arguments you may have reconstructed).
  2. Click the Group button in the toolbar (at the top of the Argunet window). The arguments are now grouped together. The name of the group is Untitled .
  3. Position the mouse pointer over the name of the group and open the context menu (Windows: right-click).
  4. Select the option Rename . A dialogue box with a text field opens.
  5. Enter Property? and click OK.

The new name appears above the group.

Figure 4.5. Argument map with an argument group

Argument map with an argument group

Adding arguments to a group

Arguments can be added to an existing group.

  1. Create a new argument close to the new group.
  2. Select the new argument and an argument that belongs to the group.
  3. Click the Group button in the toolbar.

The argument is added to the group.

Removing an argument from a group

  1. Select the argument(s) you want to remove from the group.
  2. Position the mouse pointer over the argument you want to remove and open the context menu (Windows: right-click).
  3. Select the option Remove from Group .

The argument is removed from the group.

Note

A group is deleted when all its arguments have been removed.
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