Chapter 2 Pgs 42 44 62 68 Argumentation Two components 1 The thesis conclusion o Rests on a set of reasons offered as support 2 Evidence premises o These are the reasons Consists of only one conclusion and at least one premise If the same set of evidence is used to support two propositions treat it as two separate arguments You could have an opinion you could have an idea and you could have a description Number each premise and then label C for the conclusion Ask yourself if there are any assumptions associated with the argument Assumption treated as a giver no proof usually offered Assumptions can be warranted defensible or unwarranted non defensible and thus Focus on what evidence is presented and how it supports the conclusion Keep in mind a strong case means the evidence presented gives solid support for That is different from creating a persuasive argument given that we might be merit consideration the conclusion persuaded by a threat Premise Indicators Indicator words because whereas in light of for given that for the reason that since o therefore function as signposts eliminating need for guessing Premise indicator a word or phrase that indicates a premise in an argument When you see an indicator know a premise is being flagged Any term that can be replaced with the word because is a premise indicator If since can be replaced because indicator If since can be replaced by from the moment not indicator Conclusion Indicators A word or phrase that introduces a conclusion in an argument If you can replace the term with therefore without changing the argument its an indicator Indicator Words In conclusion accordingly so as a result therefore consequently hence it follows that subsequently thus A premise does not always come before a conclusion Transition Words Indicate an introduction amplification clarification emphasis illustration or contrast Do not function as premise or conclusion indicators Can be located anywhere in premises conclusions or in a sentence not part of the argument Function Introduction Amplification Clarification Emphasis Illustration Contrast Transition Words In order to primarily the first reason initially in the first place to begin in general Moreover furthermore in addition provided that similarly also likewise first second third That is to restate in other words to put it lightly to put it differently In fact notably nonetheless in effect above all indeed as such and rightly so To illustrate for example namely a case in point However alternatively on the other hand at the same time in spite of despite and yet Setting out the Arguments Strategy for setting out argument If we have no evidence to cite as support of the conclusion we have no argument o State the conclusion o List the premises o Examine the premises to see if they are sufficient support o Look for holes in premises including missing premise unwarranted assumptions biased language or fallacious reasoning o List the premises one by one Dismantling Longer Arguments First locate thesis then list support Looking at the premises see which are best viewed as separate See which rest on fact and which on opinion