CT 1-3 (Kim Woods) only

HU345: Critical Thinking

Discussion 1

Sample Argument Form

Premise 1: Alex, I know you’ve been stressed, and I heard on a podcast that people who spend more time in nature have lower rates of stress.

Premise 2: The weather this weekend is warm, but not too hot, and there’s no chance for rain.

Premise 3: I remember your New Year’s Resolution was to do more things that are out of your comfort zone.

Conclusion: Therefore, you should go hiking with me this weekend.

Explanation: I have been trying to get my friend Alex to go hiking with me for a while. She was feeling motivated to try new things at the start of the year, but she’s had some challenges at work, and it’s made her a bit down. I think the hike would be good for her for a variety of reasons, but I want to make suggestions in my premises that will address her reasons why she doesn’t want to go.

These premises are meant to take her to my conclusion. First, she’s been under a lot of pressure at work and with her family. She’s mentioned her stress level to me, so she opened the door to this appeal. She likes to hear what I am listening to in podcasts, so I think it would be nice to give her a piece of new information that is relevant to her present state. Second, Alex hates to be too hot, but I also know she is afraid of getting rained on when she’s doing things outside. The mention of the weather is to assuage her concern before she brings it up. Finally, she was feeling very ambitious and excited about this change before the grind of daily life got her off course. We’ve been friends for a long time, so I feel comfortable reminding her that she’s given up her New Year’s Resolution, just as she could do for me.