Identifying Arguments
Completion requirements
Read this section, which will give you some tips on how to spot an argument. While the premise and conclusion indicators are not guarantees of an argument, they can assist you in identifying an argument.
Complete Exercise 2, distinguishing arguments from non-arguments and identifying the conclusion of argument sentences. Despite the name, the conclusion often precedes the premises when we present arguments in ordinary language. When you finish the exercise, check your answers against the answer key.
Exercise
Answers
- Argument. Conclusion: The woman in the hat is not a witch.
- Not an argument
- Argument. Conclusion: Albert won't be willing to help me wash the
dishes.
- Not an argument
- Not an argument
- Not an argument
- Not an argument
- Argument. Conclusion: Obesity has become a problem in the U.S.
- Not an argument
- Argument. Conclusion: Albert isn't a fireman.
- Argument. Conclusion: Charlie and Violet don't sweat.
- Argument (explanation). Conclusion: I forgot to lock the door.
- Not an argument
- Argument (explanation). Conclusion: Apple stole some of Samsung's
patents.
- Argument. Conclusion: No one who gets frostbite while on K2 will ever survive.