The Basics of Argumentation
This goes along with yesterday's article on fallacies. It probably should have proceeded, but here we are anyway.
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Objective
In this lesson, you will learn how to identify the different parts of an argument and become familiar with the rules and formats of different types of debate.
The ability to formulate, recognize, and criticize arguments is crucial to successful reading, writing, and speaking. Rational discourse and education are founded on the idea that people can use evidence and logic to persuade others to change their minds and adopt new ideas.
What Is an Argument?
An argument is group of statements, one of which is claimed to derive or follow from one or more other statements.
The following statement reflects one example of a basic argument:
"We should go to the store because we are out of milk."
There are three main parts of an argument: the premise, the conclusion, and the warrant.
Oftentimes, the warrant of an argument is left unstated because it is obvious and uncontroversial. Were the warrant in the argument above to be stated explicitly, the argument would read something like this:
"We should go to the store because we are out of milk, we need more milk, and we can get milk at the store."
The fact that most warrants are unstated makes it more difficult to identify than the other two parts of an argument. Though the warrant is innocuous here, identifying and articulating warrants are the key to recognizing faulty and fallacious arguments.
Identifying and articulating an argument's warrant is like building a bridge between the premises and conclusion.
Let's look for warrants in another argument.
Question
John Lennon was the most talented member of the Beatles because he wrote most of their songs.
Which of the following is an accurate description of this argument's warrant?
- John Lennon was the most talented member of the Beatles.
- The Beatles are one of the best bands of all time.
- Writing a large number of songs is a reliable indicator of talent.
- John Lennon wrote most of the Beatles' songs.
Reveal Answer
The answer is C. That statement explicitly connects the idea in the premise—"wrote most of their songs"—to the idea in the conclusion—"was the most talented." Choice A is the argument's conclusion, and Choice D is the reason offered in support of the conclusion. Choice B is simply an irrelevant statement.
Note also that, for the purposes of identifying the parts of an argument, the truthfulness of the statements is irrelevant. The premise in the above argument would still be a premise (albeit a bad one) if Paul McCartney wrote most of the Beatles' songs.
How Do You Identify the Different Parts of an Argument?
Most arguments take one of two structures. Either the conclusion comes first, and the premises follow, or the conclusion is the final statement and the premises lead up to it. It is less common for a conclusion to appear sandwiched between premises, though it is not unheard of.
As a result, distinguishing between the parts of an argument requires an understanding of the logical relationship between them. What proposition is the speaker or writer trying to advance as true? How do other statements offer support for that proposition?
One way to hone in on that logical relationship is to ask two questions:
- What is it that this speaker or writer wants me to accept as true? (i.e., what is the main point or conclusion?)
- Why? (What statements has she made in support of that conclusion?)
Another, more concrete way to identify premises and conclusions is by looking for indicator words. Conclusion indicators are words whose presence signals that the statement that follows is likely to be a conclusion.
Some of the most common examples of conclusion indicators include:
|
Thus |
Therefore |
|
As a result |
Hence |
|
Consequently |
So |
|
Accordingly |
Which means/demonstrates/proves that |
Premise indicators are words that often precede statements offered in support of a conclusion. For example:
|
Because |
Since |
|
Due to |
As |
|
Given that |
In view of the fact |
|
For |
Whereas |
Question
Read the following passage:
Because there's a new mall in the area, my rent is about to go up. But the mall has created more traffic, which makes it really loud. Since I rarely shop at the mall and could get a cheaper place in a neighborhood I like, I don't think I should renew my lease.
Which of the following is the conclusion of this argument?
- I don't think I should renew my lease.
- There's a new mall in the area.
- I rarely shop at the mall.
- My rent is about to go up.
Reveal Answer
Choice A is the main conclusion of this argument. The presence of because and since should tip you off that Choice B and Choice C are premises.
Choice D introduces a new idea.
In the previous argument, the statement "my rent is about to go up" is what's known as a subordinate or secondary conclusion, a statement that is the main point of a small argument that also functions as a premise in a larger argument.
The premise supporting this subordinate conclusion is the statement "Because there's a new mall in the area." However, in the larger argument, the subordinate conclusion also functions as a premise in support of the main conclusion:
"Because . . . my rent is about to go up . . . I don't think I should renew my lease."
You can click here to practice identifying the various parts of an argument in a more complicated passage.
Review
- An argument is group of statements, one of which is claimed to derive or follow from one or more other statements.
- A conclusion is the main point of an argument, the fact or idea whose truth the argument seeks to establish. Conclusion indicators are words that often precede or introduce a conclusion.
- A premise is a reason, a statement offered in an argument in support of an argument's conclusion. Premise indicators are words that often precede or introduce a premise.
- A warrant is the often implicit connection between an argument's premises and its conclusion.
- A subordinate conclusion is a statement that is supported by a premise but also functions as a premise in support of the main conclusion of a larger argument.
⬅ Previous LessonWorkshop IndexNext Lesson ⬅
Back to Top
Stay on topic and refrain from making it personal or your comments will be removed.
Tags
Who is online
32 visitors
When presenting an argument language is important, thus you should read the article. HA!
cant argue with that, but i probably will, use improper language
I can't find my preferred method of argument here.
pointing out the hypocrisy within your opponents arguments, with their own words, and then laminating it with sarcasm ...
/s
[✘]
I believe that is called the Devangelical Method of Debate
LOL, see how well it works?
lol
The official term is 'sarcastic response' and I have a lot of those days.
sarcasm is the mental outrigger for keeping your sanity afloat among the less than enlightened chop ...
A philosophical argument is a logical chain of reasoning that work to prove a conclusion based on a set of premises. It can be inductive or deductive.
yea, but is there a reason? I like your little lesson, but my long gone short term sentencing memory can't recall much anymore
Inductive reasoning is used to develop an idea while deductive reasoning is used to test an existing idea.
An example of inductive reasoning would be making children wear coats when the forecast calls for cold weather.
An example of deductive reasoning would be saying - If A = B and B = C then A must = C. All birds have feathers and all robins are birds, so then all robins must have feathers.
Thank you for that example
Thanks for the lesson, Evil. Would you be allowed to post the article in the Help section? This and your article on fallacies. They're helpful articles, I think.
Just the articles, not the comments
I am posting them to be helpful. If those with the access would like to move them over I'd be grateful. I'm also trying to think of other similar articles if anyone has any suggestions.
Great article! I'm going to post it in the help section.
I never argued when I was married, I just took the abuse or drove away. I wasn't ever going to win, and my life would be even more miserable if I did. so wtf ...