System and method for providing argument maps based on activity in a network environment

Logic encoded in one or more tangible non-transitory media that includes code executable by one or more processors, wherein the code causes the one or more processors to perform operation, comprising:

• receiving network traffic associated with a first user and a second user;
• evaluating keywords in the network traffic in order to identify a topic of discussion involving the first and the second users;
• determining a first sentiment associated with a first data segment associated with the first user;
• determining a second sentiment associated with a second data segment associated with the second user;
• deriving one or more statements from the network traffic;
• categorizing the one or more derived statements into argument map attributes, wherein the deriving and the categorizing comprise at least one activity selected from a group consisting of speech recognition, sentiment analysis and basic linguistic models;
• and
• generating an computer-automated argument map comprising the argument map attributes based on the first data sentiment and the second data sentiment, wherein the automated argument map comprises a visual representation of a structure of an argument in informal logic, wherein the argument map includes components of the argument, comprising main contentions, premises, co-premises, objections, rebuttals, and lemmas.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a memory element configured to store data;
• a processor operable to execute instructions associated with the data;
• a network sensor configured to interface with the memory and the processor, wherein the apparatus is configured for:
• receiving network traffic associated with a first user and a second user;
• evaluating keywords in the network traffic in order to identify a topic of discussion involving the first and the second users;
• determining a first sentiment associated with a first data segment associated with the first user;
• determining a second sentiment associated with a second data segment associated with the second user;
• deriving one or more statements from the network traffic;
• categorizing the one or more derived statements into argument map attributes, wherein the deriving and the categorizing comprise at least one activity selected from a group consisting of speech recognition, sentiment analysis and basic linguistic models;
• and
• generating an computer-automated argument map comprising the argument map attributes based on the first data sentiment and the second data sentiment, wherein the automated argument map comprises a visual representation of a structure of an argument in informal logic, wherein the argument map includes components of the argument, comprising main contentions, premises, co-premises, objections, rebuttals, and lemmas.