Argument Structure - Basics Flashcards
DEFINE:
Argument
A set of statements consisting of a conclusion and at least one premise.
DEFINE:
Conclusion
The statement in an argument that is designed to be supported by another statement.
DEFINE:
Premise
A statement that is designed to provide support for another statement.
DEFINE:
Valid argument
An argument in which the conclusion MUST be true IF the premises are true.
DEFINE:
Invalid argument
An argument in which the conclusion does NOT have to be true even if the premises are true.
DEFINE:
Subsidiary conclusion
A statement that has support from another statement, but also provides support to another statement.
DEFINE:
Main conclusion
In an argument with multiple conclusions, it’s the conclusion that does not provide any support to another statement. You can think of it as the final destination in the author’s reasoning.
TRUE OR FALSE:
The conclusion of an argument is almost always the last sentence in the stimulus.
FALSE
The conclusion can appear anywhere in the stimulus, and you shouldn’t assume that it’s almost always at the end.
What argument part does this indicate?
SINCE
Premise (or a supporting statement)
What argument part does this indicate?
BECAUSE
Premise (or supporting statement)
What argument part does this indicate?
FOR
Premise (or a supporting statement)
What argument part do these words indicate?
THUS
THEREFORE
HENCE
Conclusion
Remember that you may need to distinguish between a main conclusion and subsidiary conclusion.
What argument part does this phrase indicate?
AFTER ALL
Premise (or supporting statement)
IDENTIFY THE (MAIN) CONCLUSION
Although some people think that listening to classical music as a baby will lead to increased intelligence, there is no valid study that supports this view. True, there is a correlation between listening to classical music while one was a baby and higher intelligence. However, this is probably due to the fact that parents who play classical music for their children tend to also read more to their children. After all, we know that reading is important for developing a child’s intelligence, and the kind of parent who plays classical music for their children is probably the kind of parent who likes to read to their children.
Although some people think that listening to classical music as a baby will lead to increased intelligence, there is no valid study that supports this view. True, there is a correlation between listening to classical music while one was a baby and higher intelligence. However, this is probably due to the fact that parents who play classical music for their children tend to also read more to their children. After all, we know that reading is important for developing a child’s intelligence, and the kind of parent who plays classical music for their children is probably the kind of parent who likes to read to their children.
IDENTIFY THE (MAIN) CONCLUSION:
The best way to get to the castle is through the forest. If we go through the forest, we can avoid the enemy army’s patrols. In addition, we can also hide our tracks more easily with branches and leaves.
The best way to get to the castle is through the forest. If we go through the forest, we can avoid the enemy army’s patrols. In addition, we can also hide our tracks more easily with branches and leaves.
