Analyzing and Evaluating

Arguments

January 4-8,2021

Guillermo Santos Alvarez

EAPP-Teacher II
 Learning Objectives

At the end of the lesson, the learners are expected to:

1. Analyze and evaluate arguments of certain essays;
2. Write own stand/claim based on the learners analysis of
the arguments; and
3. Appreciate the learnings acquired from the lesson.
  The critical reader must be able to evaluate
arguments.

 When you evaluate an argument (a set of claims),

you determine its value or persuasiveness.

 To be able to do a good job evaluating

arguments, you need to know what an argument
is and how an
argument is put together.
 An argument is a claim that is supported by reasons
or evidence.

 When an author tries to persuade the reader that

something is true or correct by presenting
supporting reasons or evidence, an argument is
being made.

 This means that an argument is different from a

statement.
Persuasion
 The author is trying to convince the reader that a
claim is true by giving supporting reasons or
evidence.
The Claim
 The claim of an argument
is the point of the
argument.
 When an author makes an
argument,
it’s the claim that the author is trying to persuade
the reader to accept as true.
Analysis
 To evaluate an argument, you need to analyze it.

When you analyze an argument, you break it

down into its parts and examine them by
themselves and in relation to the other parts of
the argument.
Argument.
 Step 1, identify the argument’s claim.

 What is the conclusion the author is trying to

persuade the reader to accept as true?

 What is the point of the argument?

Step 2 for Analyzing an Argument
 Identify the reason or evidence the author gives
for support.

Claim

Evidence Evidence Evidence

1 2 3
Step 3 for Analyzing an Argument
 Think critically and skeptically about the reasons
or evidence that the argument presents.

 What is the source of the evidence?

 Is the evidence true?

 Do the reasons or evidence defeat or weaken the

argument?
Step 4 for Analyzing an Argument
 Ask yourself how well the reasons or evidence
support the claim.

 If the evidence is weak or false, then the

argument will be less persuasive or even
invalid.

 If the evidence is poor, the argument will be less

persuasive or even invalid.