Introduction Flashcards
What is an Argument?
Attempts to persuade, containing reasons and a conclusion.
What is an assertion?
A statement made without giving a reason, may be an attempt to persuade or an expression of opinion
What is an explanation?
Provide evidence to support statements already accepted as facts.
What is a counter assertion?
Brief contrary statement introduced without backing reasons.
What is a counter argument?
Has supporting reasons, may be dismissed in turn to support the main conclusion.
What is a reason?
General point supporting conclusion
What is evidence?
Consists of research findings statistics and expert opinions and substantiate a reason
What is an example?
Specific instances supporting a reason
What is hypothetical reasoning?
Often based on what may result from possible future conditions this type of reasoning is often signalled by the indicators if and then and can be challenged as there is no certainty about future events
What is an assumption?
Unstated part of an argument something is taken for granted and not mention directly often because it seems obvious to the arguer. They’re hidden suppositions acting as reasons to support a conclusion.
What is the difference between an argument and explanation?
An argument attempts to persuade where is explanation is a reason for phenomenon on without attempting to persuade the explanation may be already generally accepted among people knowledgeable in the relevant field
A counter argument consists of which two parts?
Counter conclusion and counter reason.
How can we distinguish evidence from examples?
Evidence is often based upon research and provide broad support for reasons examples provide illustrative support to the reasons using specific instances that may or may not be typical
Why are there no argument indicators for assumptions?
Assumptions are not written down in the argument
Suggest three ways in which reasons might fail to support conclusion
The reason may be relevant in adequate or unreasonable or may not be significant enough if conflicting reasons are stronger
