Argumentation

Arguments

• Defined as an attempt to persuade someone of something by giving reasons or evidence for accepting a particular conclusion.

Conclusions

• Defined as a statement or judgement that follows from one or more reasons.
• Example: "I hate cats. They scratch and bite."
• "I hate cats" follows from the reason "They scratch and bite"

Premises

• Defined as a fact, proposition, or statement that justifies the conclusion.
• Example: "Cheetahs are the fastest mammals on land. They can run up to 70mph."
• These are just facts. If there was a conclusion, these facts would be the evidence that justifies that conclusion.

Assumptions

• Defined as a premise that has not been clearly expressed or specified.
• Example: "Because the S.A. Spurs have the best offense in the NBA, they are going to win the championship."

Finding the premise and conclusion

• Premise indicators:
• Because, since, for example, for that reason, in that, given that, as indicated by, due to, owing to, this can be seen from, we know this by...
• Conclusion indicators:
• Thus, therefore, hence, consequently, as a result, so, accordingly, clearly, must be that, shows that, concludes that, follows that, for this reason...

To clearly understand an argument being presented:

• What is the point the author is trying to make clear to me? (Conclusion)
• What is the support they are offering in support of the conclusion?

Argument - break it down

• What's the conclusion - underline it.
• Identify the support they give you for that conclusion.
• Start thinking critically about it.