Lesson 2.1: Reconstructing an Argument from a Text

Introduction

In this lesson, we will delve into the concept of arguments as they are presented in academic texts. Our objective is to understand the technical meaning of an argument and its components: claims, reasons, evidence, and conclusions. By the end of this lesson, you will have the skills necessary to analyze and reconstruct arguments found in various forms of writing, enabling you to evaluate their effectiveness critically.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the technical meaning of an argument: reasons offered in support of a conclusion.
• Separate claims, reasons, evidence, and conclusions in academic prose.
• Distinguish argument from description, narrative, and assertion.
• Standardize a messy passage into a clear premise-and-conclusion structure.
• Supply unstated steps that the argument assumes.

Understanding Arguments

What is an Argument?

At its core, an argument is a set of statements where some of these statements (the reasons) support another statement (the conclusion). To illustrate this, let’s consider the following example:

Example 1:

"All humans are mortal (Claim). Socrates is a human (Reason). Therefore, Socrates is mortal (Conclusion)."

In this example, the first two statements serve as the reasons that support the conclusion.

Components of an Argument

1. Claim: The statement that the argument is trying to prove. It is the main assertion or conclusion.
2. Reasons: The premises that provide support for the claim. They answer the question: Why should we believe the claim?
3. Evidence: The data or facts provided to back up the reasons. It strengthens the logic of the argument.
4. Conclusion: The derived statement that follows logically from the reasons.

Distinguishing Arguments from Other Forms of Writing

It is crucial to differentiate arguments from descriptions, narratives, and assertions. For instance:

• A description tells you about something without making a claim (e.g., “The sky is blue.”).
• A narrative recounts a story or events without arguing a specific point (e.g., “I went to the store.”).
• An assertion is a confident statement of fact or belief but does not include reasoning (e.g., “It will rain tomorrow.”).

Reconstructing an Argument

To reconstruct an argument, one must identify the claim, reasons, and evidence. Let’s practice this with a sample passage:

Text Example:

"The increase in global temperatures means that ice caps are melting at an alarming rate. If this continues, sea levels will rise, leading to severe flooding in coastal cities. Therefore, immediate action is required to reduce carbon emissions."

Step 1: Identifying the Claim

In this passage, the claim is clear: Immediate action is required to reduce carbon emissions.

Step 2: Identifying Reasons and Evidence

The supporting reasons include:

• Increase in global temperatures leads to melting ice caps.
• Melting ice caps cause rising sea levels.
• Rising sea levels lead to severe flooding in coastal cities.

Step 3: Structuring the Argument

We can now structure this argument clearly:

• Claim: Immediate action is required to reduce carbon emissions.
• Reasons:

1. Global temperatures are increasing.
2. Ice caps are melting due to this increase.
3. Melting ice caps contribute to rising sea levels.
4. Rising sea levels result in flooding coastal cities.

Common Misconceptions

Students often confuse the relationship between claims and evidence. Evidence must directly support reasons, which in turn support the claim. For example, saying that "carbon emissions are high" is an assertion, not evidence unless supported by data. A correct statement of evidence is "carbon emissions increased by 25% in the last decade, as shown by the EPA report."

Conclusion

Reconstructing an argument involves breaking down the components of a text to understand its structure and validity. By identifying claims, reasons, and evidence, you can critically evaluate the argument's strength and its implications. This skill is vital not just for academic writing, but for consuming media and engaging in informed discussions.

Study Notes

• An argument is a set of statements where some support the conclusion.
• Components of an argument: Claim, Reasons, Evidence, Conclusion.
• Distinguish arguments from descriptions, narratives, and assertions.
• The first step in reconstructing an argument is to identify the claim.
• Organize the argument into a clear structure: premise (reasons) and conclusion.
• Evidence must support reasons logically to be effective in an argument.