Nora Ephron’s “The Boston Photographs” p.g. 171-176

Analyzing and Evaluating Arguments

!  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.

Step 1 for Analyzing an Argument.

!  First, 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 1 Evidence 2 Evidence 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.