Component Parts of an Argument

Question 1

Analogy

Answer 1

A form of argument that uses parallels between similar situations to persuade the audience to accept a conclusion

Question 2

Appeal

Answer 2

A reference to something or someone, in order to persuade the audience to accept a conclusion

Question 3

Appeal to Authority

Answer 3

Referring to an expert witness or recognised authority to support a claim

Question 4

Appeal to Emotion

Answer 4

A form of argument that attempts to support a conclusion by engaging the audience’s emotions rather than by giving reasons

Question 5

Appeal to History

Answer 5

A form of argument that supports a prediction about the future with a reference to the past

Question 6

Appeal to Popularity

Answer 6

A form of argument which justifies a conclusion by its popularity

Question 7

Appeal to Tradition

Answer 7

A form of argument that supports a conclusion by saying it is traditional, or has always been done in this way

Question 8

Argument

Answer 8

An attempt to persuade a reader or listener to accept something. An argument must have a conclusion about something different.

Question 9

Assumption

Answer 9

This is a missing reason in an argument. The writer accepts the assumption, but has not stated it. The assumption is essential for the conclusion to be drawn.

Question 10

Claim

Answer 10

A statement or judgement that can be challenged

Question 11

Conclusion

Answer 11

The conclusion of an argument is a statement of something that the writer or speaker wants the reader or listener to accept based on the reasons given

Question 12

Ability to perceive

Answer 12

A source’s ability to use any of their five senses to assess an event or situation

Question 13

Corroboration

Answer 13

Confirmation of, or support for, evidence given by one source by another source

Question 14

Counter-argument

Answer 14

An additional argument that is against, or counter to, what the conclusion seeks to establish. The writer normally presents the counter-argument in order to dismiss it

Question 15

Counter-assertion

Answer 15

If the writer presents a reason that would support an opponent’s argument, rather than a counter-argument, then the writer is making a counter-assertion/claim

Question 16

Credibility

Answer 16

Whether someone’s claims or evidence can be believed

Question 17

Criteria

Answer 17

Standards, measures, or benchmarks, against which something can be measured

Question 18

Evaluate

Answer 18

Judge whether the argument or reasoning is strong or weak

Question 19

Example

Answer 19

Something which is used as evidence because it is characteristic of the same kind of things or because it can serve to illustrate a principle

Question 20

Expertise

Answer 20

Skills, experience and training that give someone specialist knowledge and judgement

Question 21

Eye-witness

Answer 21

Someone who provides evidence based on first-hand experience

Question 22

Fact

Answer 22

Information that can be verified and that is held to be true

Question 23

Factual Claim

Answer 23

A statement or judgement based on information that can be verified and that is held to be true

Question 24

Hypothetical Claim

Answer 24

A claim that states if this..then that

Question 25

Hypothetical Reasoning

Answer 25

This looks at the consequences that might occur if something were the cause

Question 26

Infer

Answer 26

To draw a conclusion; to consider what is implied by evidence. To decide what the next step is; what can be supported by the evidence or reasons

Question 27

Intermediate Conclusion

Answer 27

A conclusion that is formed on the way to the main conclusion. The intermediate conclusion is supported by reasons and gives support to/acts as a reason for the main conclusion

Question 28

Main Conclusion

Answer 28

The conclusion of an argument that logically follows from the reasoning. There may be one or more intermediate conclusions providing support for the main conclusion of an argument. There will be one or more intermediate conclusions before a main conclusion.

Question 29

Motive

Answer 29

Factor that may cause a person to act in a particular way

Question 30

Neutrality

Answer 30

Being impartial; having no reason to favour either side in a dispute or difference of opinion

Question 31

Plausibility

Answer 31

Whether or not a claim or piece of evidence is reasonable

Question 32

Principle

Answer 32

A general principle or rule is a guide to action which can be applied in a range of circumstances, beyond the immediate context of the argument. They can be used in an argument as reasons, conclusions, or assumptions.

Question 33

Reason

Answer 33

A statement that aims to persuade the reader to accept a conclusion

Question 34

Reputation

Answer 34

What is generally said or believed about the character of a person or an organisation

Question 35

Reverse Test

Answer 35

A strategy for checking whether an assumption is needed by an argument, by asking yourself if the argument would work with the assumption reversed

Question 36

Source

Answer 36

A person, organisation or document providing information or evidence

Question 37

Strong Conclusion

Answer 37

A conclusion that is very specific and tightly defined

Question 38

Verify

Answer 38

To confirm if something is true, accurate or real

Question 39

Vested Interest

Answer 39

Personal interest, usually financial, in a state of affairs or in an organisation leading to the expectation of personal gain from favourable outcome

Question 40

Witness

Answer 40

A person who saw or heard an event

Question 41

Witness Statement

Answer 41

A report by someone who has actually seen or heard an event