4: Assessing the Strength of an Argument (Logos)
- Page ID
- 27189
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Learning Outcomes
- Check arguments for common problems such as exceptions, faulty evidence, invalid assumptions, and inadequate treatment of counterarguments.
- Identify insights in an argument that can contribute to future discussions on the topic.
- Write a complete assessment of an argument’s strengths and weaknesses with a thesis that points to the most crucial ones.
- Use precise and varied phrases to highlight the argument’s flaws and insights.
- 4.1: Use a Summary to Launch an Opinion
- College essay assignments in many disciplines ask us to give our own reasoned opinion on the validity of an argument.
- 4.2: Check If the Meaning Is Clear
- A strong argument will leave no doubt about its precise meaning.
- 4.3: Look for Exceptions
- If we can find an exception to something in the argument, the exception may help us identify a problem in the reasoning.
- 4.4: Decide How Strong the Evidence Is
- A strong argument will offer trustworthy evidence of the kinds needed to support the particular claims.
- 4.5: Check the Argument's Assumptions
- To test an argument’s strength, we can identify the assumptions it depends on and determine whether or not they are valid.
- 4.6: Check How Well the Argument Addresses Counterarguments
- A strong argument will accurately summarize any important counterarguments and respond to them.
- 4.7: Reflect on an Argument’s Strengths
- Even if an argument has significant flaws, it may also contain insights worth noting.
- 4.8: Come up with an Overall Assessment
- Once we have assessed many aspects of an argument, we can come up with an overall assessment by reflecting on which strengths and weaknesses are most significant.
- 4.9: Fallacies List
- A list of the fallacies, or logical problems discussed in this chapter, by their technical names.
- 4.10: Common Assessment Phrases
- A list of common phrases used to praise and critique arguments as discussed in this chapter.
- 4.11: Sample Assessment Essays
- Annotations point out how two writers have structured their assessment essays.
