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Argument vs. Controversy — What's the Difference?

Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 12, 2023
Argument is a discussion presenting opposing viewpoints, while controversy is a prolonged dispute, debate, or state of public disagreement. Arguments can be brief; controversies persist.
Argument vs. Controversy — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Argument and Controversy

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Key Differences

An argument often refers to a presentation of reasons or evidence, highlighting a specific point of view. It's a structured discourse where one tries to persuade another. On the other hand, a controversy is typically a broader, public dispute about a matter of significant disagreement or concern.
While an argument can be a singular exchange between individuals and can conclude quickly, controversies usually involve a larger audience, potentially including the general public, and can last for extended periods.
An argument can be seen as a component or a moment within a controversy. A controversy can encompass numerous arguments on multiple facets of the issue at hand.
The goal of an argument might be to convince or elucidate, but a controversy might not necessarily have an end goal in sight; it's more of a state or condition of public disagreement.
Arguments can be constructive, leading to solutions or mutual understandings, whereas controversies can often polarize groups, leading to further divisions.
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Comparison Chart

Definition

A discussion presenting opposing viewpoints.
A prolonged dispute or public disagreement.

Duration

Can be brief.
Typically persists longer.

Scope

Usually between individuals.
Involves a wider audience or public.

Purpose

To persuade or elucidate.
Often highlights a state of public disagreement.

Outcome

Can lead to solutions or understanding.
Can polarize or divide groups further.

Compare with Definitions

Argument

A reason or set of reasons presented to support or oppose an idea.
His main argument is based on historical data.

Controversy

A prolonged public dispute or debate.
The new law sparked a lot of controversy.

Argument

A summary of the subject matter of a book or article.
The argument at the beginning of the chapter prepares the reader.

Controversy

A disagreement, especially one that's widespread or long-lasting.
The film was the center of controversy due to its theme.

Argument

A mathematical or logical sequence leading to a conclusion.
Her argument was flawless, proving the theorem.

Controversy

A discussion marked by opposing views.
The controversy around the project delayed its start.

Argument

In logic and philosophy, an argument is a series of statements (in a natural language), called the premises or premisses (both spellings are acceptable), intended to determine the degree of truth of another statement, the conclusion. The logical form of an argument in a natural language can be represented in a symbolic formal language, and independently of natural language formally defined "arguments" can be made in math and computer science.

Controversy

Disputation concerning a matter of opinion.
The team faced controversy over their decision.

Argument

An exchange of diverging or opposite views, typically a heated or angry one
There was some argument about the decision
I've had an argument with my father
Heated arguments over public spending

Controversy

Controversy is a state of prolonged public dispute or debate, usually concerning a matter of conflicting opinion or point of view. The word was coined from the Latin controversia, as a composite of controversus – "turned in an opposite direction".

Argument

A reason or set of reasons given in support of an idea, action or theory
He rejected the argument that keeping the facility would be costly
There is a strong argument for submitting a formal appeal

Controversy

Prolonged public disagreement or heated discussion
The design of the building has caused controversy
The announcement ended a protracted controversy

Argument

An independent variable associated with a function or proposition and determining its value. For example, in the expression y = F(x₁, x₂), the arguments of the function F are x₁ and x₂, and the value is y.

Controversy

A dispute, especially a public one, between sides holding opposing views.

Argument

Any of the noun phrases in a clause that are related directly to the verb, typically the subject, direct object, and indirect object.

Controversy

The act or practice of engaging in such disputes
Writers skilled at controversy.

Argument

A summary of the subject matter of a book.

Controversy

A debate or discussion of opposing opinions; (generally) strife.

Argument

A discussion in which the parties involved express disagreement with one another; a debate
Philosophical arguments over the nature of existence.

Controversy

Contention; dispute; debate; discussion; agitation of contrary opinions.
This left no room for controversy about the title.
A dispute is commonly oral, and a controversy in writing.

Argument

An angry discussion involving disagreement among the participants; a quarrel
The roommates had an argument about whose turn it was to wash the dishes.

Controversy

Quarrel; strife; cause of variance; difference.
The Lord hath a controversy with the nations.

Argument

(Archaic) A reason or matter for dispute or contention
"sheath'd their swords for lack of argument" (Shakespeare).

Controversy

A suit in law or equity; a question of right.
When any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment.

Argument

A course of reasoning aimed at demonstrating truth or falsehood
Presented a strong argument for the arts in education.

Controversy

A contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement;
They were involved in a violent argument

Argument

A fact or statement put forth as proof or evidence; a reason
The current low mortgage rates are an argument for buying a house now.

Controversy

A contentious topic or issue.
Climate change remains a major controversy.

Argument

A set of statements in which one follows logically as a conclusion from the others.

Argument

A summary or short statement of the plot or subject of a literary work.

Argument

A topic; a subject
"You and love are still my argument" (Shakespeare).

Argument

(Logic) The minor premise in a syllogism.

Argument

The independent variable of a function.

Argument

The angle of a complex number measured from the positive horizontal axis.

Argument

(Computers) A value used to evaluate a procedure or subroutine.

Argument

(Linguistics) A word, phrase, or clause in a semantic relation with a word or phrase and that helps complete the meaning of that word or phrase, such as a noun phrase that is the object of a verb. The clause that we go is an argument of the verb suggest in the sentence I suggest that we go.

Argument

A fact or statement used to support a proposition; a reason.

Argument

A series of propositions organized so that the final proposition is a conclusion which is intended to follow logically from the preceding propositions, which function as premises.

Argument

(countable) A process of reasoning; argumentation.

Argument

(countable) An abstract or summary of the content of a literary work such as a book, a poem or a major section such as a chapter, included in the work before the content itself; (figuratively) the contents themselves.

Argument

(countable) A verbal dispute; a quarrel.
The neighbours got into an argument about the branches of the trees that extended over the fence.

Argument

Any dispute, altercation, or collision.
Steve got in a physical argument with his neighbor and came away with a black eye.
While biking home, he got in an argument with the pavement.

Argument

Any of the phrases that bears a syntactic connection to the verb of a clause.

Argument

The independent variable of a function.

Argument

The phase of a complex number.

Argument

A quantity on which the calculation of another quantity depends.
The altitude is the argument of the refraction.

Argument

A value, or a reference to a value, passed to a function.
Parameters are like labelled fillable blanks used to define a function whereas arguments are passed to a function when calling it, filling in those blanks.

Argument

A parameter at a function call; an actual parameter, as opposed to a formal parameter.

Argument

A matter in question; a business in hand.

Argument

The subject matter of an artistic representation, discourse, or writing; a theme or topic.

Argument

Evidence, proof; (countable) an item of such evidence or proof.

Argument

To put forward as an argument; to argue.

Argument

To adduce evidence, to provide proof.

Argument

Proof; evidence.
There is.. no more palpable and convincing argument of the existence of a Deity.
Why, then, is it made a badge of wit and an argument of parts for a man to commence atheist, and to cast off all belief of providence, all awe and reverence for religion?

Argument

A reason or reasons offered in proof, to induce belief, or convince the mind; reasoning expressed in words; as, an argument about, concerning, or regarding a proposition, for or in favor of it, or against it.

Argument

A process of reasoning, or a controversy made up of rational proofs; argumentation; discussion; disputation.
The argument is about things, but names.

Argument

The subject matter of a discourse, writing, or artistic representation; theme or topic; also, an abstract or summary, as of the contents of a book, chapter, poem.
You and love are still my argument.
The abstract or argument of the piece.
[Shields] with boastful argument portrayed.

Argument

Matter for question; business in hand.
Sheathed their swords for lack of argument.

Argument

The quantity on which another quantity in a table depends; as, the altitude is the argument of the refraction.

Argument

The independent variable upon whose value that of a function depends.

Argument

To make an argument; to argue.

Argument

A fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true;
It was a strong argument that his hypothesis was true

Argument

A contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement;
They were involved in a violent argument

Argument

A discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against some proposition or proposal;
The argument over foreign aid goes on and on

Argument

A summary of the subject or plot of a literary work or play or movie;
The editor added the argument to the poem

Argument

A variable in a logical or mathematical expression whose value determines the dependent variable; if f(x)=y, x is the independent variable

Argument

A discussion where differing views are expressed.
Their argument over the best strategy lasted hours.

Argument

A heated exchange of opposing views.
They had a loud argument outside the cafe.

Common Curiosities

Can an argument lead to a controversy?

Yes, if an argument isn't resolved or garners wide attention, it can evolve into a controversy.

How does an argument differ from a simple discussion?

An argument usually has opposing viewpoints, while a discussion may be more exploratory without conflict.

Can a controversy be resolved through a single argument?

Rarely. Controversies typically involve multiple facets and arguments before resolution.

What is an argument in a simple term?

An argument is a discussion or debate presenting opposing viewpoints.

Is controversy always negative?

No, controversy can lead to public awareness and constructive solutions, though it often indicates disagreement.

Why might someone avoid arguments or controversies?

To maintain harmony, avoid stress, or because they believe the issue isn't significant enough.

Can an argument be non-verbal?

Yes, arguments can be expressed through non-verbal means like writing or even body language.

What makes a topic controversial?

A topic becomes controversial when it evokes strong, differing opinions from various groups.

Are all arguments controversial?

No, while all controversies involve argumentation, not all arguments lead to controversies.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Fiza Rafique
Fiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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