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