TFY chapter 9 (Argument: what's a good Argument?)

1. The critical reading of arguments is an active endeaveor that requires involvement, interaction with questions, and evaluation.
2. The questions asked in the critical reading of arguments are:
a) What wiewpoint is the source of this argument?
b) What is the issue of controversy?
c) Is it an argument or a report?
d) How is the argument structured in terms of reasons and conclusions?
e)What are the argument's strengths and weakness?
3. The analysis of arguments in terms of their reasons and conclusions applies to both inductive and deductive arguments. Reasons include data, evidence, and premises, while conclusions include those deductively drawn as well as hypotheses.
4. The conclusion of an argument is the last step in a reasoning process. However, it may be stated at any time during an argument or not at all.
5. Reasons support conclusions. They may be generalizations that could function as conclusions in another context. Once the argument's main conclusion is uncovered, the reaseons offered in support becomes clear.
6. Arguments state and defednd a claim. Usually they also attempt to persuade. Arguments disguised as reports slant the facts and language toward a bias.
7. Reports that only relate events or state facts cannot be analyzed as though they were arguments.
8. An issue is a selected aspect of a topic of controversy upon which positions may be taken either pro or con. Issues are stated in neutral terms often beginning with the word should and ending with a question.
9. The following questions can serve as quidelines for analyzing the strengths and weakness of arguments.
a) Are the reasons adequate to support the conclusion?
b)Are there any hidden assumptions?
c) Are any central words ambiguous or slanted so as to incite prejudice?
d) Are there fallacies of resoning?
e) Is any important information missing?
f) Is any information false or contradictory?