| Arguments | Arguments consist of propositions. These are assertions that are either true or false. An argument presents us with a proposition (called a conclusion or thesis) drawn on the basis of a body of evidence (called premises). An argument consists of only one conclusion and at least one premise. If the same set of evidence is used to support two propositions, we have to erect two separate arguments and analyze each one separately.
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| Assumption | An assumption is something that is taken for granted or supposed to be the case without proof.
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| Conclusion-indicator | A conclusion-indicator is a word or phrase that introduces a conclusion in an argument. If you can replace the term with "therefore" without changing the argument, the term is a conclusion-indicator and the conclusion should immediately follow. A conclusion-indicator acts like a red flag, allowing us to spot the conclusion.
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| Descriptions | When we describe, we try to objectively state a set of facts. A good description provides us with the essential features of the thing by listing its qualities or characteristics.
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| Fact | Something known to be true--as a thing that has existed, or an event, or a concept that can be proved.
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| Factual Judgments | Factual judgments are often treated as facts, as we see with "Smog is bad for your lungs." These are generally inferences drawn from earlier observations, e.g., about the sorts of ingredients to smog and the studies that show the effects of those ingredients on the respiratory system. Some argue that factual judgments are not really facts and, thus, should be assessed carefully, as they can mislead us.
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| Ideas | Ideas take the form of possible solutions, hypotheses, intentions, plans of action, and theories. The ancient roots of the word go back to a general or ideal form, pattern, vision, or standard by which things are measured. More commonly now, we use the term to refer to insights, purposes, or recommendations.
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| Inference | An inference is a conclusion drawn on the basis of some evidence or observations. An inference is an answer to the question, "What's it about? What story does this tell?"
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| Opinions | Opinions fall into three major categories. First are statements of belief or conjecture. This is seen with: "The best music is rhythm and blues" and "Practicing verb drills is a drag." Opinions are often based on perception, individual taste, or emotion, relative to the point of view of the person(s) voicing the opinion. This gives rise to the refrain, "Well, that's just a matter of opinion." The third category of opinion is legal opinion. In a legal context, opinions may be expressed as a formal statement, a ruling, or considered advice. Court opinions, for example, function as an explanation for a decision that becomes law.
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| Premise-indicator | A premise indicator is a word or phrase that introduces a premise in an argument. If you can replace a term with "because," then it is a premise-indicator. When you see a premise-indicator, you know a premise is being flagged. Whatever follows the premise indicator is a premise--so these indicators help us locate the evidence!
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| Proposition | An assertion that is true or false. The form of a proposition is that of something being predicated of some subject. A proposition could be universal ("All A is B" or "No A is B"), particular ("Some A are/are not B" or "X% of A is/is not B"). Propositions that have as a subject a proper noun (e.g. "Charley is a good ole boy") are treated as a universal propositions.
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| Strategy for Setting out Arguments | (1) State the conclusion (thesis/hypothesis); (2) List the premises (reasons/evidence) one by one; (3) Examine the premises (reasons/evidence) to see if it is sufficient to support the conclusion; (4) List the premises one by one above the conclusion (P1, P2, P3, etc.) to give order to the argument and makes it easier to read.
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| Transition word | Words that indicate an introduction, amplification, clarification, emphasis, illustration, or contrast. They do not function as premise- or conclusion-indicators, unless clearly shown in the context--e.g., when a list of premises or several conclusions are listed in sequence. Transition words could be located anywhere--in premises, in conclusions, or in a sentence not part of an argument. That means we can't assume that they indicate either a premise or a conclusion.
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