Question:1 Briefly state how the text defines “claim.”

Answer: The book defines the word "claim" as the statement that the maker of the argument is seeking

to justify or show to be true. The argument's claim is also known as the argument's conclusion.

Question:2 Reread the section in the text entitled “Two Confusions to Avoid” in Chapter 5. From what

you read there, construct a definition of the term “argument” that includes both what the term is, in the

context of this chapter, and what it is not.

Answer: In the context of the chapter, the term "argument" means a presentation of two or more claims

and having evidence to support those claims and possibly persuade the other side to support your way

of thinking. An argument, in the context of the chapter, is respectful, reasonable, and constructive. This

is unlike what most people think an argument is. An argument, in the context of this chapter, is not a

quarrel. It is not disrespectful or overly emotional. That is what an argument means in this chapter.

Question: What questions does the text suggest we ask to distinguish conclusions and reasons?

Answer: The text suggests several questions that we may ask to distinguish between conclusions and

reasons. The first question that the text suggests we ask is, "What is the conclusion that the speaker is

trying to establish as true?" According to the text, a question we may ask instead of the first question is,

"What is the decision that the speaker is trying to explain or justify?” The last question that the text

suggests we ask to distinguish between conclusions and reasons is, "What considerations does the

speaker present to establish the truth of that claim or the basis of that decision?” These questions are

very important because even if someone is attentively listening to a conversation, there is still a

possibility of miscommunication. Therefore, it is a good idea to ask any of the above questions to make

sure you can distinguish between a reason and a conclusion.

Question: … are the component premises are there in the following statement: “If it weren’t for how

much it costs and how big it is, I’d buy that TV for our bedroom.”

Answer: The first premise of the following statement is that the TV is very expensive and the person

cannot afford it. The second premise is that the TV is very big and would not fit in the bedroom of the

person who wants to purchase it.

Question: Below are four common misconceptions about mapping an argument. Choose any two and

briefly explain why each is wrong.

Answer:

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