Analytical Thinking: Identifying Arguments (2024)

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16 Questions

What is an argument in logic and critical thinking?

A list of statements with a conclusion and premises

What is the role of the premise in an argument?

To provide evidence to support the conclusion

What is the conclusion in an argument?

A statement that is based on the premises

What is an example of a premise in an argument?

The teacher is good because he teaches well

What is the purpose of identifying indicator words in an argument?

To recognize the connection between premises and conclusions

What is the first step in analyzing an argument?

Identify the premises and conclusions

What can be concluded about Mrs. Mensah in the following argument?

She is kind because she gives charity to the poor

What can be concluded about Ghana in the following argument?

Ghana was a British colony and uses English as a second language

What should you do with superfluous material when analyzing an argument?

Delete it

What can be concluded about Joana in the following argument?

Joana will not have a sound sleep tonight because she took coffee at 7 pm

What is the purpose of reformulating and simplifying the central ideas?

To make the argument easier to understand

What type of logic is used in the argument 'Since all Maoists are communists and all communists are Marxists, Maoists are Marxists.'?

Deductive logic

What can be concluded about Nigeria in the following argument?

Nigeria has more population than Ghana

What is the conclusion of the argument 'He didn't call. If he wants to go out with me, he would have called.'?

He is not interested in me.

What is the main idea of Winston Churchill's speech?

To fight against the enemy

What is the author's purpose in saying 'You should not jaywalk.'?

To warn people of the dangers of jaywalking

Study Notes

Identifying an Argument

An argument in logic and critical thinking consists of a list of statements, with one conclusion and multiple premises.
The premise of an argument is offered as a reason for accepting the conclusion.

Premises and Conclusions

A premise is a statement that supports the conclusion.
Examples of premises:
- P1. People who are kind give charity to the poor.
- P2. Mrs. Mensah gives charity to the poor always.
- C. Mrs. Mensah is kind.

Examples of Arguments

Example 2:
- P1. Ghana was a British colony.
- P2. All British colonies use English as their second language.
- C. Ghana uses English as her second language.
Example 3:
- P1. When you take coffee after 6 pm, you will not have a sound sleep that night.
- P2. Joana has taken coffee at 7 pm.
- C. Joana will not have a sound sleep tonight.
Example 4:
- P1. Nigeria has more population than Ethiopia.
- P2. Ethiopia has more population than Kenya.
- P3. Kenya has more population than Ghana.
- C. Nigeria has more population than Ghana.

Indicator Words

Indicator words for premises:
- Since
- This is
- Because
- Assuming that
- For
- Given that
Indicator words for conclusions:
- Therefore
- Hence
- Thus
- So
- Consequently
- It can be concluded that
- Proves that
- Shows that
- Indicates that

Analyzing an Argument

Steps to analyze an argument:
- Identify the premises and conclusions in the target passage.
- Leave out superfluous material and focus on the main ideas.
- Delete anything that does not affect the central argument or the main points.
- Reformulate and simplify the central ideas in your own words to make them easier to understand.

Activity

Examples of arguments to analyze:
- Seriously, don't you think you should be staying at home? Didn't you hear that a thunderstorm is coming?
- Since all Maoists are communists and all communists are Marxists, Maoists are Marxists.
- Listen up. You should not drive. You can barely keep your eyes open.
- He didn't call. If he wants to go out with me, he would have called. Obviously, he is not interested in me.
- We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be.
- You should not jaywalk. It is true that many people do it. But you might get hit by a car. Or the police might arrest you.
- If the solution is acidic, the litmus paper would have turned red. But since it hasn't, the solution is not acidic.

Learn how to identify and analyze arguments in logic and critical thinking, including understanding premises and conclusions. Test your knowledge with this quiz!