CRITICAL READING FOR COLLEGE AND BEYOND: CH 12 IDENTIFYING AND EVALUATING ARGUMENTS

CRCB: CH 12 ARGUMENTS

An argument is logical structures used to persuade others. An argument is one or more statement that includes a conclusion and reasons that support it. There are two parts of an argument which are reasons and conclusion. Reasons are statements that explain, justify and support the conclusion. The conclusion is the judgment, decision, or opinion you reach after thinking about an issue. When identifying an argument you should search for word clues and recognizing what and where the main argument is. There are two types of arguments deductive arguments and inductive arguments. Deductive arguments begin with a general statement then supported by premises. Inductive arguments begin with specific observations and conclude with a generalization that logically follows. When evaluating an argument you can use different strategies to decide whether an argument is sound by:

Determining dependability of an argument:

· Check date of publication

· Check source of publication

· Check authorship

Distinguishing fact from opinion:

· Facts: statement that can be proven to be true.

· Opinions: expression of personal perspectives.

Detecting fallacies:

Fallacies are errors in reasoning.

· Either/or thinking: only two options when there are more

· Hasty generalizations/ overgeneralizations: using too few or weak reasons to support aa conclusion

· Red herring: irrelevant material

· False cause: unclear connection between conclusion and reasons

· Slippery slope: one event will lead to another, then to another, and so on.

· Ad hominem: ignore true issue by attacking the person they disagree with

· Circular reasoning: stating the same conclusion and reason in different ways