Argumentation

Question 1

What are the 5 steps to focus on when reading critically?

Answer 1

1. the authors purpose in writing the article (what is their take home message) 2. the key ideas discussed and analyzed. 3. how well the author convinced you of the position 4. what info the author provided to support the thesis statement (strength of premises) 5. your objections to the author’s ideas.

Question 2

What makes premises strong?

Answer 2

credible sources/statistics, common knowledge, possible w/out contradiction, lack of counterexample, proper testimony - relevant and credible, proper authority - if expertise. is accepted/unchallenged.

Question 3

What makes premises weak?

Answer 3

negate the conclusion, contradict another premise and are inconsistent, are grounded in false or controversial assumptions, beg the question/circular reasoning, are refutable using common knowledge, are vague or ambiguous.

Question 4

What is critical thinking?

Answer 4

involves informal logic, not simply criticizing or questioning. careful skeptical analysis. focus in argument strength. so its being critical if the info were taught. also ties to media literacy. looking at the connections btwn statements.

Question 5

What is formal logic?

Answer 5

deductively necessary relationships (true premises lead to the conclusion being true). mathematically based, focuses on argument validity, so if the premises grant the conclusion. focused on the structure and argumentation of the content. not applicable to real world problems.

Question 6

What is informal logic?

Answer 6

critical thinking, own judgment and thinking is essential, reflective/independent, focuses in argument strength, reasoning, solves real world problems.

Question 7

What is an argument?

Answer 7

a set of claims put forward in support of another claim. trying to justify ones claim.

Question 8

What are some examples of non-arguments?

Answer 8

explanations; claims offered to make further claims understandable. opinions; an unsubstantiated belief about a matter open to dispute - so a conclusion without premises. questions, commands, promises.

Question 9

What is the purpose of debating?

Answer 9

stimulate critical thinking and ideas, figure out what we actually know about a topic and what we are just assuming without evidence, establish a position and put forth best effort to justify.

Question 10

Which of the following do you need to create an argument? a) an introductory sentence b) 1 premise c) 2 or more premises d) a conclusion e) a novel and innovative idea

Answer 10

b) 1 premise d) a conclusion. might need more premises to strengthen the argument but only need one.

Question 11

What makes an argument a good one?

Answer 11

cogency

Question 12

What makes an argument cogent?

Answer 12

1. its premises are acceptable to the audience to whom the argument is addressed 2. its premises are relevant to its conclusion 3. its premises, considered together, offer sufficient or adequate grounds for its conclusion. (ARG)

Question 13

What are the steps in identifying an argument?

Answer 13

1. confirm theres an argument 2. look for conclusion indicators 3. identify the conclusion 4. look for premise indicators 5. identify the premises - may require interpretation.

Question 14

What is acceptability?

Answer 14

not the same as absolute truth. can accept bc of what makes premises strong. ie common knowledge, lack of counterexample, etc.

Question 15

What is relevance?

Answer 15

the acceptable premises are relevant to the conclusion, so does it provide support.

Question 16

What is good grounds?

Answer 16

do the premises provide adequate support for the conclusion. requires a judgment call and explanation of why.

Question 17

Why do we use cogency?

Answer 17

helps us assess our own arguments to see if we are actually supporting the conclusion we wish to argue.

Question 18

Why do we break arguments down into standard form?

Answer 18

bc then we can narrow in on our ideas an determine the weak spots in order to engage in argument repair.