Glossary
Claims
Assertions or statements that an author makes and intends to prove or support with evidence.
Example:
A student's research paper might make the claim that early morning study sessions improve test scores more than late-night ones.
Context
The background information, circumstances, or existing knowledge surrounding an argument that helps in understanding its relevance and scope.
Example:
Understanding the historical and social context of a 19th-century scientific theory is crucial to evaluating its original impact and limitations.
Deductive Reasoning
A top-down approach to reasoning that starts with a general principle or premise and applies it to specific cases to reach a specific, logically certain conclusion.
Example:
Knowing that all mammals have fur (general principle) and that a dog is a mammal (specific case) allows you to deductively reason that the dog has fur (specific conclusion).
Evidence
Information, facts, data, or examples used to support a claim and persuade an audience.
Example:
To support the claim that early morning study sessions are better, the evidence could include survey results from students, neurological studies on sleep cycles, or comparative grade data.
Implications
The potential consequences, effects, or future significance of a research finding or argument.
Example:
The implications of a new medical discovery could include improved public health, new treatment methods, and significant economic impacts on the pharmaceutical industry.
Inductive Reasoning
A bottom-up approach to reasoning where specific observations or examples lead to a general conclusion. The conclusion is probable but not guaranteed.
Example:
Observing that every cat you've ever met loves to nap (specific observations) leads you to conclude that all cats love to nap (general conclusion), which is an example of inductive reasoning.
Limitations
The boundaries, constraints, or weaknesses of a study or argument that restrict its applicability, generalizability, or certainty.
Example:
A study on student stress might acknowledge its limitations by stating it only surveyed students from one specific school, meaning its findings might not apply to all students.
Line of Reasoning
The logical progression of an argument, showing how claims and evidence connect to reach a conclusion.
Example:
In a debate about climate change, the line of reasoning might start with data on rising temperatures, move to human activities as a cause, and conclude with the need for policy changes.
Logical Alignment
The coherence and consistency between an argument's claims, evidence, and conclusion, ensuring that the conclusion naturally and reasonably follows from the supporting components.
Example:
When a research paper's findings directly support its main thesis, demonstrating a clear and sensible connection, it exhibits strong logical alignment.
Other arguments
Alternative or counter-arguments that present different perspectives or conclusions on a topic, which a strong argument should acknowledge and address.
Example:
In an essay advocating for renewable energy, acknowledging other arguments about the high initial cost or intermittency of solar power demonstrates a balanced understanding of the issue.
Rhetorical Strategies
Techniques or appeals used by authors to persuade an audience, such as word choice, appeals to emotion (pathos), logic (logos), or authority (ethos).
Example:
A politician using emotionally charged rhetorical strategies like vivid imagery and personal anecdotes to sway voters towards their policy proposal.
Validity of an Argument
Refers to the logical soundness of an argument, where the conclusion necessarily follows from the premises, assuming the premises are true.
Example:
An argument has validity if its structure ensures that if the supporting reasons are true, the conclusion must also be true, regardless of whether the reasons are actually true in reality.