7Sage Notes

Question 1

To figure out whether there is support between a set of claims, ask yourself if the truth of one of the claims would increase the likelihood of the truth of another claim. Be careful not to confuse that with the question of “Based on my knowledge of the world, do I know if this claim is true?”

Answer 1

Conclusion vs. Premise

Question 2

Concession points

Answer 2

They are a kind of contextual information. They are claims that the author makes that don’t support her argument. If anything, they might hurt her argument.

Question 3

Possible concession indicators

Answer 3

despite
in spite of
although
though
even though
even if
notwithstanding
while

Question 4

Context

Answer 4

Information related to but not a part of the argument. However, context is crucial to understanding the argument. Context tends to come in two flavors: table setting and other people’s position.

Question 5

Context indicators

Answer 5

“But” and “however” are the most common indicator words that signal a transition from context in argument. “Yet” is another. “Some people say…” and its variants are also used to introduce context.