Analyzing Arguments - Unit 3
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary role of premises in an argument?

  • To introduce excess verbiage.
  • To affirm the conclusion based on certain statements. (correct)
  • To question the validity of the argument.
  • To provide indicators for conclusions.

    • Which of the following is a conclusion indicator?

  • Owing to
  • Thus (correct)
  • Since
  • Because

    • What should be done with implicit premises in an argument?

  • They should be eliminated as excess verbiage.
  • They should be treated as final conclusions.
  • They should be ignored.
  • They should be made explicit in a charitable manner. (correct)

    • Which of the following is NOT a type of excess verbiage?

    <p>Premises</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of premise indicators?

    <p>To indicate statements that support a conclusion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what context might rhetorical questions function in an argument?

    <p>As statements that disguise actual premises.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a discount in the context of excess verbiage?

    <p>An acknowledgment that weakens the argument.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which word is used to typically introduce a conclusion?

    <p>Therefore</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which phrase should be ignored as a discount in an argument?

    <p>Despite the fact that</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of repetition in an argument?

    <p>Logic improves attention span; in other words, it nurtures patience.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What purpose do assurances serve in an argument?

    <p>To demonstrate confidence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following phrases is an example of a hedge?

    <p>It seems that</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of assurance, which phrase implies strong confidence?

    <p>Obviously</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of statement should be ignored as it does not contribute to the argument's strength?

    <p>A tentative statement</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What kind of language is a sign of assurance in argumentation?

    <p>Confident phrases</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these statements best exemplifies assurance?

    <p>The truth is that Sarah studied hard.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What trend in Jamaica's economy was reported during the third quarter of 2009?

    <p>A decline of 2.3% compared to the same quarter in 2008</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of illustrations in a text?

    <p>To exemplify the author's claims without proving them</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a distinguishing feature of a Well-Crafted Argument?

    <p>It clearly identifies the premises and the conclusion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement represents a conditional statement?

    <p>If Jamaica invests in education, then teachers will be prioritized.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What has been a major challenge for Jamaica, as mentioned in the content?

    <p>A persistent fiscal deficit</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why should capital punishment be abolished according to one argument presented?

    <p>Innocent individuals may be wrongly executed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary cause of economic growth in Jamaica during the third quarter of 2009?

    <p>Rise in Goods Producing industries by 1.7%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor contributed to the decline in the economy compared to the same quarter in 2008?

    <p>Decline in Goods Producing industries by 8.7%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is considered a common hedge?

    <p>I think that</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential reason for not dropping hedges from an argument?

    <p>They may enhance the argument's validity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an effect of employing uniform language in an argument?

    <p>It highlights the logical reasoning.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements illustrates a well-crafted argument?

    <p>If you study cultures, you question customs, realizing diversity, thus becoming tolerant.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between premises and conclusions in a logical argument?

    <p>They must be logically linked.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can be inferred if someone states, 'I believe that it might rain tomorrow'?

    <p>They are expressing doubt about the rain.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In constructing an argument, why is using a consistent term important?

    <p>It prevents misunderstanding and confusion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these statements exemplifies the use of a hedge?

    <p>It appears that climate change is a serious issue.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an enthymeme?

    <p>An argument with certain key elements left implicit.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In an argument diagram, what does an arrow from a premise to a conclusion indicate?

    <p>The conclusion is supported by the premise.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can sub-conclusions be represented in an argument diagram?

    <p>By connecting the sub-conclusion directly to the main conclusion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the notation '1[Campaign reform is needed]' represent in an argument?

    <p>The main conclusion of the argument.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements correctly describes how premises are indicated in argument diagrams?

    <p>They are marked and numbered with brackets.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the consequence of selecting an unfair interpretation of an argument?

    <p>It may distort the author's original meaning.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In interpreting an argument, what should be prioritized when faced with multiple interpretations?

    <p>The interpretation that best preserves the rationality of the author.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main purpose of breaking down arguments into well-crafted versions?

    <p>To clarify the original meaning and enhance understanding.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the example regarding morality and organ transplants illustrate?

    <p>The complexity of ethical decision-making.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done with implicit premises when constructing an argument?

    <p>Make them explicit in a charitable manner.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes a sub-conclusion in an argument?

    <p>An intermediate claim that supports the final conclusion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements embodies a fair reconstruction of the argument regarding God and morality?

    <p>God must exist if morality is deemed objective.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key characteristic of an unfair interpretation of an argument?

    <p>It introduces unrelated or irrelevant concepts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an argument?

    <p>A set of statements where some of the statements, called premises, are intended to support another, called the conclusion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A single statement can be an argument.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a well-crafted argument (WCA)?

    <p>An argument that is stated in such a way that its important logical features are explicit.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are premise indicators?

    <p>Words that are typically followed by a premise.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are conclusion indicators?

    <p>Words that are typically followed by a conclusion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    There is a complete list of premise and conclusion indicators.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is excess verbiage?

    <p>A word or statement that adds nothing to the argument.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a discount in an argument?

    <p>An acknowledgement of a fact or possibility that might be thought to render the argument invalid, weak, unsound, or uncogent.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When rewriting an argument, it's important to keep all repetitions.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an assurance in an argument?

    <p>Words or phrases that indicate a high confidence in the truth of the premises or conclusion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are hedges in an argument?

    <p>Words or phrases that indicate a tentativeness about a premise or inference.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Sometimes assurances and hedges should be kept in an argument because they contribute to its validity.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it important to employ uniform language in an argument?

    <p>To highlight the logical form of reasoning and ensure a clear link between premises and conclusion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A fair reconstruction of an argument must be loyal to the author's original meaning.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are enthymemes?

    <p>Arguments that leave premises or conclusions implicit.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Argument diagrams can only be used for simple arguments.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In an argument diagram, what does an arrow pointing downwards represent?

    <p>The arrow represents the premise supporting the conclusion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Argument diagrams can help identify statements that detract from the value of an argument.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Analyzing Arguments - Unit 3

    • An argument is a set of statements, some intended to support a conclusion
    • Premises support the conclusion
    • Premises and conclusions are distinct statements, either true or false
    • An argument can contain multiple statements, appearing anywhere in a passage
    • A complete sentence may contain more than one statement
    • Arguments consist entirely of statements that can be regarded as true or false
    • Questions, commands, exclamations, are not statements; rhetorical questions can be treated as statements
    • Single statements, no matter how long or complex, are not arguments
    • An argument requires a claim that one statement follows from others
    • A passage is an argument only if the speaker/writer intends statements to support another, as evidence or reasons

    Types of Non-Arguments

    • Reports: Sets of statements intending to provide information about a topic (situation, event)
    • Illustrations: Statements with explanatory or clarifying examples
    • Explanatory Statements: Statements providing reasons for a phenomenon
    • Conditional Statements: Statements in if-then form

    Well-Crafted Arguments (WCAs)

    • WCAs are arguments expressed in a way that clearly shows their logical features
    • Well-crafted arguments clearly identify premises and their relationship to the conclusion
    • Eliminate excess verbiage: discounts, repetition, assurances, hedges
    • Use consistent language
    • Avoid confusing sub-conclusions with final conclusions
    • Make implicit premises explicit

    Identifying Premises and Conclusions

    • Premises are the statements used to support a conclusion
    • Statements are sentences (or parts of sentences) that are true or false
    • Premise indicators (e.g., since, because) typically precede a premise
    • Conclusion indicators (e.g., therefore, hence) typically precede a conclusion

    Limitations of Indicators

    • No complete list of premise/conclusion indicators exists
    • Not all premises or conclusions have indicators
    • Words/phrases that indicate premises/conclusions in one context may not do so in another
    • Not all sentences are statements (e.g., questions)
    • Rhetorical questions can be statements
    • Commands can act as premises/conclusions

    Excess Verbiage

    • Excess verbiage (words/statements) adds nothing to the argument
    • Types of excess verbiage: discounts, repetition, assurances, and hedges

    Additional Notes

    • Discounts: Acknowledge facts that might weaken or invalidate an argument (e.g., "although," "despite the fact that")
    • Hedges: Show tentativeness or uncertainty (e.g., "in my opinion," "perhaps")
    • Argument Diagrams: Used to show the relationship between premises and conclusions. Arrows connecting statements indicate support. Independent or interdependent premises are shown

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    Unit 3 - Analyzing Arguments PDF

    Description

    This quiz focuses on understanding arguments and distinguishing them from non-arguments. Learn the key components such as premises, conclusions, and different types of statements. You'll also explore examples of reports and illustrations to better grasp the concept of argumentation.

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