propositions
A statement is...
an assertion or proposition that is either true or false
what does clarity mean in argument evaluation?
The argument is easy to understand and not confusing
defined as a series of problems that represent controversy or uncertainty...
An Issue
Clarity: Is the argument clear and unambiguous?
Do you understand all of the key terms that are used in the statements, and are those key terms
used in such a way that they can only mean one thing?
an inference is...
an assertion or proposition that is either true or false
what does "credibility" ask about the argument?
Are the facts or sources trustworthy?
Once you're able to fully recognize the meaning of particular statements what should you do?
Critically analyze that statement.
Credibility...
Is it supported by evidence?
what are the 4 types of premises?
Descriptive, Prescriptive, Analogical, Definitional
What does "relevance" mean for a premise?
Does the statement help or support the conclusion?
care must be taken when discussing issues because...
issues convey controversy
Relevance: Is it relevant to the conclusion?
Terms such as and, or, if…then…, if and only if, and not express connectivity between
statements and often mark inferences among premises, and between premises and the conclusion
what is a proposition? Give an example (about the sky).
Propositions are known as assertions or statements; The sky is blue
What does " Completeness" check for?
Are any important ideas missing or implied?
What are some of the right questions to ask when you're trying to understand an issue...
who, whose, what, where,how, when, which, why?
Completeness: Are there any unstated premises or conclusions?
Did you check for any implied meanings? Did you fill in pronouns or expressions that have prior
references? Are there premises missing or implied that should be present to support the
conclusion?
an argument is...
a set of statements, some of which function as premises and one of which functions as a
conclusion. Every argument contains an inference from a premise or premises to a conclusion
What does "soundness" mean in a deductive argument?
The premises are true and lead to a true conclusion
Framing questions correctly can lead you to...
Understanding
Soundness: Are the premises true, and do they support the conclusion?
Soundness is a term that describes the truthfulness, as we commonly hold it, of the given
premises in an argument. It is primarily a concern in deductive argument.