Explicit vs. Implicit

Arguments do not always have to have hatred involved in them. In fact most arguing is quite enjoyable and stimulates us to think critically. Arguing helps people persuade the audience towards a way of thinking or to bring them into agreance on a topic.

There are two types of arguments. One is explicit and the other is implicit. Explicit arguments consist of direct claims that are aided by evidence and reason. Implicit arguments are completely different. They are usually short stories, poems, or photographs. Implicit arguments express their opinions in a more emotional way instead of direct facts. Examples of this type presented in our text are the Veterans Day Photograph and the poem by Wilfred Owen. All though these two are implicit, they express their point of view in completely different mediums.

In the picture you can feel the compassion between the soldier and the veteran, even though there are no words. The poem explains the scene of a mustard gas attack and a soldier dying in pain. Explicit tells you details and is right to the point. Implicit lets you decide the point of view from the piece. There are no stated facts or “explicit” statements. There is no commonality between the two arguments except they both are out to get a point across.