Analyzing Arguments

Dr. Sunarsih, M.A.

 What does it mean?

When you "Analyze an Argument" you evaluate

someone else's argument.  The task presents a brief
passage in which the author makes a case for a
course of action or interprets events by presenting
claims and supporting evidence.  Your job will be to
examine the claims made and critically assess the
logic of the author's position.
 Points for Analysis
 what evidence is given?
 what conclusions are made?
 what assumptions (likely not stated) are made?
 what ramifications (perhaps not stated) would
necessarily follow from the author's argument?
Points for Analysis
Also evaluate the reasoning and structure of the
argument.  Look for transition words and phrases to
show the author's logical connections (e.g., however,
thus, therefore, evidently, hence, in conclusion ). 
Then evaluate the following:

what leaps are being made from one point of logic

to another?
are classic logical flaws evident? *
WHAT NOT TO ADDRESS IN YOUR
RESPONSE
 You are not being asked to discuss whether the
statements in the argument are true or accurate.
 You are not being asked to agree or disagree with the
position stated.
 You are not being asked to express your own views on
the subject being discussed (as you were in the
Issue task).
Steps for Analyzing the Argument
1)  Read the argument and instructions carefully.
2)  Identify the argument's claims, conclusions and
underlying assumptions.  Evaluate their quality.
3)  Think of as many alternative explanations and
counterexamples as you can.
4)  Think of what specific additional evidence might
weaken or lend support to the claims.
5)  Ask yourself what changes in the argument would
make the reasoning more sound.
 IDENTIFYING THE PARTS OF THE ARGUMENT

IDENTIFYING THE WRITER’S CLAIM OR THESIS.


Ask yourself: What opinion, idea, or point of view is the writer trying to convince me to
accept?

IDENTIFYING THE REASONS.


Ask yourself: What statements does the writer make that tell me why I should accept the
claim?

IDENTIFYING THE BACKING.


Ask yourself: What information or explanation does the writer give to justify acceptance of
the claim on the basis of this reason?

IDENTIFYING THE REFUTATION.


Ask yourself: What opposing arguments does the writer anticipate, and how are they dealt
with?
 BACKING

Asserting Fact: Statements can be proven objectively to be true. A special

kind of assertion of fact uses statistics.
 Arguing by Example: An example is an individual instance taken to be
representative of a general pattern.
 Arguing by Analogy: An analogy is a comparison to a parallel case.
 Invoking Authority: An authority is a recognized expert.
Arguing a Causal Relationship: A cause is the reason or motive for a
particular result. By arguing that a causal relationship exists, the writer
asserts that one thing actually results from another.
Asserting Shared Beliefs: Shared beliefs or assumptions are often called
common knowledge. By asserting shared beliefs, the writer argues that if
something is widely believed, then readers also should accept it.
 Asserting Shared Values: Many claims are based on values and judgments.
By asserting shared values, the writer argues that if readers and the writer
share certain values and those values underlie the claim, then readers also
should accept the writer’s claim.
ASSIGNMENT
Download the form of analyzing argument!
Fill the form based on the essay given in the class!
SOURCE
Supriyanto, Bambang. Critical Reading. ITB.
https://www.brainfuse.com/jsp/alc/resource.
jsp?s=gre&c=37192&cc=108840