A method for reconstructing first-order arguments in natural language

This paper develops a new method for reconstructing arguments in natural language by combining the linguistic representation framework of Constructive Adpositional Grammars (CxAdGrams) with the argument classification framework of the Periodic Table of Arguments (PTA). The method centers around the notion of ‘argumentative adpositional adtree’ (‘arg-adtree’). After an explanation of the two frameworks involved, the method is illustrated by providing the arg-adtrees of two concrete examples of so-called ‘first-order arguments’. It is argued that the resulting ad-trees provide a theoretically informed and empirically reliable reconstruction of an argumentative text or discussion. As such, the method developed in this paper is especially suitable as a point of departure for developing instruments for computer-assisted argumentation analysis.