All texts make some kind of argument, claiming something and then offering reasons and

evidence as support for the claim. As a critical reader, you need to look closely at the argument a
text makesyou need to recognize all the claims it makes, consider the support it offers for those
claims, and decide how you want to respond. What do you think, and why? Here are some of the
aspects of a text youll need to consider when you analyze an argument!
What is the claim? What is the main point the writer is trying to make? "s there a
clearly stated #H$%"%, or is it merely implied?
What support does the writer offer for the claim? What &$A%'(% are given to
support the claim? What $)"*$(+$ ,acks up those reasons? -acts? %tatistics?
#estimonials ,y authorities? $xamples? .ertinent anecdotes? Are the reasons plausi,le
and sufficient?
How evenhandedly does the writer present the issues? "s there any mention of
counterarguments? "f so, how does the writer deal with them? /y refuting them? /y
acknowledging them and responding to them reasona,ly? *oes the writer treat other
arguments respectfully? dismissively? Are his or her own arguments appropriately
0ualified?
What authorities or sources of outside information does the writer use? How are
they used? How credi,le are they? Are they in any way ,iased or otherwise unrelia,le?
Are they current?
How does the writer address you as the reader? *oes the writer assume that
readers know something a,out what is ,eing discussed? *oes his or her language include
you or exclude you? 1Hint! "f you see the word we, do you feel included?2 *o you sense
that you and the author share any ,eliefs or attitudes?