A) EXAMPLES OF VALID ARGUMENT FORM

1) Affirming the antecedent (modus ponens)

If Spot barks, a buglar is in the house.

Spot is barking
Therefore, a buglar is in the house.

2) Denying the consequent (modus tollens)

If it’s raining the park is closed.

The park is NOT closed.
Therefore, it is not raining.

3) Hypothetical Syllogism

If Ajax steals the money, he will go to jail.

If Ajax goes to jail, his family will suffer.
Therefore, if Ajax steals the money, his family will suffer.

4) Deductive arguments with valid premises but not strong conclusions

Unless we do something about the massive AIDS in Africa, the whole continent will be
decimated within six months.
Unfortunately we won’t do anything about the AIDS epidemic in Africa.
It necessarily follows that the whole of Africa will be decimated within six month.

B) EXAMPLES OF INVALID ARGUMET FORMS

1) Affirming the consequent

If the cat is on the mat, she is asleep.

She is asleep
Therefore, she is on the mat.

2) Denying the antecedent

If the cat is on the mat, she is asleep

She is NOT on the mat.
Therefore, she is not asleep.