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It explains arguments as sets of premises offered to support a conclusion, including examples with multiple premises and notes how arguments can be used to justify beliefs through rational persuasion. The chapter contrasts non-argument sentences (statements, feelings, questions, descriptions) and discusses a passage that reports research while expressing opinions without making an argumentative case. 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It may include multiple premises or just one.","Answer",{"name":112,"@type":107,"acceptedAnswer":113},"What kinds of statements are not arguments?",{"text":114,"@type":110},"Statements that do not provide premises and conclusions—such as mathematical facts, expressions of feelings, questions, and descriptions of events—are not arguments because they do not try to justify a conclusion.",{"name":116,"@type":107,"acceptedAnswer":117},"Why are conditional statements different from arguments?",{"text":118,"@type":110},"A conditional statement links conditions using an if/then structure and describes what would follow if something holds, without claiming that the initial condition is actually true. 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An argument may have several premises, or it may have only one. In our example about legalizing marijuana there are two premises. When we present arguments in speaking or writing, we try to persuade by giving reasons or citing evidence to back up our claims. We may also construct and consider arguments as a means of reflecting on how we could justify a claim that we already believe.  \nSometimes the word argument is used to mean dispute or fight, as in the sentence “The parents got into so many arguments over the mortgage that finally they stopped in this book, however, the word argument is not used to refer to a fight or dispute. Rather, an argument is a reasoned attempt to justify a claim on the basis of other claims. Both kinds of argument—rational arguments and fights—have some connection with disagreements between people. When we use arguments in the sense of offering reasons for our beliefs, we are responding to controversies by attempting rational persuasion. If we engage in an argument in the sense of a fight, we shift to other tactics, often including the resort to physical force. It’s important to keep the two senses of the word argument distinguished from each other.  \nWhat isn’t an argument?  \nEven the most rational speakers and writers do not offer arguments all the time. Sometimes they simply make statements that are neither premises nor conclusions. Sometimes they make exclamations, expressing feelings. Or they raise questions, describe events and problems, explain occurrences, tell jokes, and so on. In none of these cases are they trying to justify conclusions as true on the basis of supporting reasons. Consider the following:  \n Forty-nine divided by seven equals seven.  \n I can’t stand broccoli!  \n What are the causes of juvenile delinquency?  \n It was a crisp and frosty September morning, but so many problems occupied their minds that the beauty of the day went unappreciated.  \nNone of these sentences express arguments. Example (a) is simply a statement of mathematical fact. Example (b) expresses a feeling of distaste. Example (c) raises a question rather than stating or claiming anything. Example (d) offers no argument; it merely describes a situation, saying how it was on that morning in September. In none of these sentences do we find an attempt to persuade people of a conclusion; therefore, none of them express an argument. The sentences serve other purposes: expressing, questioning, and describing.  \nLet us look at several longer passages that do not contain arguments and see just why they do not. The following excerpt is taken from a newspaper editorial:  \nIt’s not the sort of chatter you hear at cocktail parties, but the muscle fibers of the cockroach are almost human. Really, that’s why biologists at Atlanta’s Emory University are teaching cockroaches to jog. They attach little weights to the roaches’ legs and send them racing along the treadmill.  \nFrankly, we’re leery about doing anything that might give the insects an edge. It’s hard enough trying to catch the little sprinters without having to listen to them wheezing behind the walls after a five-meter workout. But we shouldn’t carp; there’s always a chance the roaches will adopt not only the jogging, but the jogger’s healthy lifestyle and scrupulous diet. If they start by keeping decent hours and giving up greasy foods, we’ll be satisfied.  \nThis passage does not contain an argument. It first gives a humorous report of some research at Emory University and then expresses, in jocular terms, some possible risks and benefits of the research—to the insects and us. The writer obviously regarded the research as rather silly, and the style and tone of his editorial express that view. But he did not a","cbCaiolnD7Z3wG14","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaiolnD7Z3wG14","pdf",716776,25,"English","# UNDERSTANDING AND EVALUATING ARGUMENTS\n## What is an argument and what is not?\n## What isn’t an argument?\n## Distinguishing conditional statements and arguments\n## Summary","[{\"question\":\"How does the chapter define an argument?\",\"answer\":\"An argument is a set of claims where one or more premises are offered as reasons for another claim, the conclusion. It may include multiple premises or just one.\"},{\"question\":\"What kinds of statements are not arguments?\",\"answer\":\"Statements that do not provide premises and conclusions—such as mathematical facts, expressions of feelings, questions, and descriptions of events—are not arguments because they do not try to justify a conclusion.\"},{\"question\":\"Why are conditional statements different from arguments?\",\"answer\":\"A conditional statement links conditions using an if/then structure and describes what would follow if something holds, without claiming that the initial condition is actually true. Therefore, it is not an argument with a premise and conclusion.\"}]","CHAPTER ONE: ARGUMENTATATION - UNDERSTANDING AND EVALUATING ARGUMENTS | PDF",1790089132]