It helps you identify the logical structure of the argument,
Explanation:
which is necessary if you are to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the argument in order to know whether or not to accept it.
Analyzing Arguments
Sometimes an argument will have an unstated or suppressed premise, rather than stating something outright. Consider this highly unscientific poll conducted by a TV news station. “Which do you believe the senator is most out of touch with: illegal immigration, border security, or the American people?” The pollster is operating as if it is unquestionable that the senator is out of touch with something. In other words, the question presupposes that the senator is “out of touch.” However, this unstated premise is debatable once it is brought out into the open.
A listener or reader who is not alert to such unstated or suppressed premises is, without realizing it, agreeing to debate on the communicator’s terms—when those terms may be unfair. In fact, on more complex or serious issues it is often things people take for granted that may actually deserve the most critical scrutiny. For example, in the argument, “This medication is labeled as totally natural, so it is safe for me to take it,” the suppressed premise—that “natural” guarantees “safe”—is not trivial and can certainly be challenged.
Argument Diagramming
Besides recognizing the use of induction and deduction, you can use diagramming or outlining to develop an understanding of an argument’s overall structure. Remember that an argument as defined here is not a “quarrel,” but rather a group of statements, some of which, the premises, are offered in support for another, the conclusion. So the first order of business in analyzing an argument is to recognize what the main claim is—the conclusion—and what other claims are being used to support it—the premises. This is much easier to do when the author is explicit about the steps in the argument, where premise and conclusion “indicator” terms appear in the text as signposts.
Answers & Comments
Answer:
It helps you identify the logical structure of the argument,
Explanation:
which is necessary if you are to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the argument in order to know whether or not to accept it.
Analyzing Arguments
Sometimes an argument will have an unstated or suppressed premise, rather than stating something outright. Consider this highly unscientific poll conducted by a TV news station. “Which do you believe the senator is most out of touch with: illegal immigration, border security, or the American people?” The pollster is operating as if it is unquestionable that the senator is out of touch with something. In other words, the question presupposes that the senator is “out of touch.” However, this unstated premise is debatable once it is brought out into the open.
A listener or reader who is not alert to such unstated or suppressed premises is, without realizing it, agreeing to debate on the communicator’s terms—when those terms may be unfair. In fact, on more complex or serious issues it is often things people take for granted that may actually deserve the most critical scrutiny. For example, in the argument, “This medication is labeled as totally natural, so it is safe for me to take it,” the suppressed premise—that “natural” guarantees “safe”—is not trivial and can certainly be challenged.
Argument Diagramming
Besides recognizing the use of induction and deduction, you can use diagramming or outlining to develop an understanding of an argument’s overall structure. Remember that an argument as defined here is not a “quarrel,” but rather a group of statements, some of which, the premises, are offered in support for another, the conclusion. So the first order of business in analyzing an argument is to recognize what the main claim is—the conclusion—and what other claims are being used to support it—the premises. This is much easier to do when the author is explicit about the steps in the argument, where premise and conclusion “indicator” terms appear in the text as signposts.