What are the Reasons?

CSIT 58 Chapter 3

Why Should I Agree?

Reasons are beliefs, evidence, metaphors, analogies and other statements offered to support or justify conclusions.

Evidence can be quotes, statistics, research, personal experiences, and case examples.

Reasons + Conclusion = Argument

The word “argument” does not mean that anyone is angry.

An argument is the conclusion someone is trying to get you to believe and the reasons they’re presenting to convince you.

Characteristics of Arguments

They have an intent. Those who provide them hope to convince us to believe certain things or act in certain ways.

Their quality varies. Critical thinking is required to determine how good the reasoning is.

Must have an identifiable conclusion and reasons.

Locating the Reasons

Ask “Why are you (the writer or speaker) in favor of this conclusion?”

Try to put into your own words how you believe the communicator would answer the question.

Words that can Identify Reasons

Also for the reason that

As a result of in addition

Because of the fact that in view of

First…second is supported by

For researchers found that

For example since the evidence is

For one thing

While you are Reading

Circle indicator words Highlight the reasons

and conclusion in different colors

Label the reasons and conclusion in the margin

Try to do the next 4 examples yourself before you look at the answers on the slide that follows.

Try It: Identify the Conclusion and

Reasons #1

Lots of companies can sell you technology. CDW can configure your technology to your specifications. From software to servers to routers, we make sure your order is configured, tested and shipped just the way you want it. Most of the time, even the same day. So you save time, gain peace of mind and get systems you can use, right out of the box.

Advertisement for CDW, PC Magazine, September 17, 2002 p. 37

Conclusion and Reasons #1

Conclusion: Buy your technology from CDWReasons:

Your order will be configured to your specificationsYour order will be testedYour order will be shipped the way you want it, often the same dayYou will save timeYou will gain peace of mindYou can use the system right out of the box

Try It: Identify the Conclusion and Reasons #2

Downloading music from the Internet is so easy and so convenient, why would anyone not want to do it? No one can go into your home and make you stop, and the only people complaining about it are the people that are losing money because of it. These people should be happy that this capability exists because it is the best way for new artists to gain exposure throughout the world. Imposing restrictions would only encourage other almost equally convenient ways to get the music online.

Sarah Shatzel, Seigelbach, Germany, Cnn.com April 29, 2002

The Conclusion and Reasons #2

Conclusion: Downloading music from the Internet should not be stopped.

Reasons:It is easy and convenientNo one can make you stopOnly complainers are people losing moneyDownloading helps new artists gain worldwide exposureRestrictions would only result in new ways to get the music

Try It: Identify the Conclusion and Reasons #3

How can you give an illegal immigrant a license to drive a car? They don’t read or write English, most of them don’t have an address, they have no money to buy insurance. We are in enough trouble in California now. Don’t make it worse.

Write-in to the Daily Breeze by Sarah De Young of Lawndale

Conclusion and Reasons #3

Conclusion: Illegal immigrants should not be given driver’s licenses.

Reasons:They don’t read or write EnglishThey don’t have an addressThey don’t have money to buy insurance

Note: these are not high-quality reasons with any proof behind them!

Try It: Identify the Conclusion and Reasons #4

Identity thieves should be jailedI just saw your series of articles on identity theft. I think one answer to this problem is a strong response.Anybody who steals someone’s identity should automatically get a minimum of one year in jail. Not half that if they plea-bargain, but a minimum of one year.This includes everyone who takes your Social Security number or adopts your identity to open an account somewhere or buys a car with false information – and then leaves you holding the bill.

Write-in to the Daily Breeze by Tony Dauer of Hawthorne

Conclusion and Reasons #4

Conclusion: Identity thieves should get a minimum of one year in jail.

Reasons:There really aren’t any clearly stated reasons!The title is a statement of his conclusion. So are the 1st and 2nd paragraphs. In the last paragraph he is just defining who identity thieves are.If you read between the lines you can guess that his reasoning is that mandatory jail time will deter would-be thieves.

Identifying and Organizing the Reasoning After reading long passages, make a list of

reasons at the end of the essay. For complicated reasoning, diagram the

structure, using numbers to refer to each reason and conclusion and arrow to designate the direction of their relationships.

An Example of Complex Reasoning

Do physicians have a moral obligation to provide free medical care for those who cannot pay? Yes they do. First, society has restricted most medical practice to physicians, resulting in a medical monopoly that has obvious benefits. Thus, it seems reasonable that the profession acknowledge its collective responsibility to provide care even to those who cannot pay.

Second, the moral obligation of individual physicians to provide free care derives from an understanding of their special role. Physicians should not be compared to plumbers or car mechanics, or to other craftsmen who repair inanimate objects. Unlike automobile repairs, the health problems of people are not deferrable or negotiable. That doctors help some people without pay is essential if doctors are to remain doctors and medical services are not to be regarded as just another form of profit-seeking business activity.

Complex Reasoning: Highlight Key Words

Do physicians have a moral obligation to provide free medical care for those who cannot pay? Yes they do. First, society has restricted most medical practice to physicians, resulting in a medical monopoly that has obvious benefits. Thus, it seems reasonable that the profession acknowledge its collective responsibility to provide care even to those who cannot pay.

Second, the moral obligation of individual physicians to provide free care derives from an understanding of their special role. Physicians should not be compared to plumbers or car mechanics, or to other craftsmen who repair inanimate objects. Unlike automobile repairs, the health problems of people are not deferrable or negotiable. That doctors help some people without pay is essential if doctors are to remain doctors and medical services are not to be regarded as just another form of profit-seeking business activity.

Complex Reasoning: Number Conclusions and Reasons

(1) Do physicians have a moral obligation to provide free medical care for those who cannot pay? (2) Yes they do. (3) First, society has restricted most medical practice to physicians, resulting in a medical monopoly that has obvious benefits. (4) Thus, it seems reasonable that the profession acknowledge its collective responsibility to provide care even to those who cannot pay.

(5) Second, the moral obligation of individual physicians to provide free care derives from an understanding of their special role. (6) Physicians should not be compared to plumbers or car mechanics, or to other craftsmen who repair inanimate objects. (7) Unlike automobile repairs, the health problems of people are not deferrable or negotiable. (8) That doctors help some people without pay is essential if doctors are to remain doctors and medical services are not to be regarded as just another form of profit-seeking business activity.

Complex Reasoning: Number Conclusions and Reasons

1&2 Conclusion

4. Acknowledge Responsibility

3. Medical Monopoly

8. Medical not profit-seeking

5. Special role

6. Physician not craftsman

7. Health not deferrable

More Practice Finding Reasons

In the assignment you will practice finding reasons in editorials.

End of Chapter 3 Lecture