This course will use the perspective of Argument
Thus, the object of inquiry – i.e., the object of critical evaluation – is an argument
Argument a list of statements presented by a speaker or a writer one of the statements is the conclusion the other statements are the reasons, premises or
assumptions of the argument
◦An argument presumes an Issue
Issue - a question or controversy responsible for a discussion
Two types◦ Descriptive Issue – raises question about the
accuracy of descriptions of facts – past, present, future
◦ Prescriptive Issue - raises questions about what should be or what is right or wrong
Dihydrogen Monoxide ?
Conclusion ◦ Response to an issue◦ The point or message the speaker or writer wants you to
accept or believe as true
◦ Is inferred from (results from) the presentation of one or more reasons or premises Reasons / premises – statements or propositions presented to
support or justify a belief
A word about inference - induction vs. deduction Induction – results in probable conclusion Deduction results in certain conclusion
◦ Can not critically evaluate statement without a conclusion◦ Why?
Look for the Issue
◦ Conclusion answers the question posed by the issue
Indicator words
◦ Consequently, therefore, thus, suggests, indicates, etc.
Likely locations
◦ Typically presented at the beginning / end of argument
Conclusion is NOT
◦ An example, statistic, definition, evidence
Consider the context of the communicator
◦ The person’s bias or agenda may be obvious
And Therefore…?
◦ Conclusion may be implied – ask what is the point?
Corporate managers are always interested in techniques for
increasing the productivity of their workdays. One interesting
suggestion made by productivity consultants is to pipe music into
the work area. Several recent studies have explored the extent
to which different types of music affect worker output. The
primary hypothesis examined in the studies was that soft-rock
music would prove the greatest aid to productivity. The research
has found almost universally that country and western music is
the greatest inducement to efficiency. Therefore, corporate
officials should seriously consider playing country and western
music as a stimulus to worker productivity.