2. What is Argument? Once again, let‟s put aside the commonplace meaning of the word „argument‟ („disagreement,‟ or „quarrel‟).

2. What is Argument? Once again, let‟s put aside the commonplace meaning of the
word „argument‟ („disagreement,‟ or „quarrel‟). In school we learned that
 Argument is a specific position on an issue with supporting points (i.e., main
claim plus supporting evidence)
 Issue is an essential prerequisite for any logical argument – that is why
identifying an issue (= problem evoking strong disagreement among people)
is basic to a successful construction of argument
 Essential Parts of Argumentative Essays are:
i. Main Idea (Thesis) Statement
ii. Reasons, supported by
iii. Evidence, or facts and examples
iv. Constructive suggestion(s)
In logic, the branch of philosophy that studies valid reasoning and argument,
argument is defined as a series of logical steps – using reasons or evidence –
supporting of a conclusion:
Argument is a set of statements (premises), one or more of which
purportedly constitute support or reason(s) for the truth of one of the
others (the conclusion).
 Statement: a meaningful declarative sentence that is either true or false.
 Premise: a statement in an argument that provides evidence or support for a
conclusion. In other words, a premise is a statement from which a logical
deduction, or inference, may be drawn.
 Conclusion: a statement in an argument which the premises support or imply. In
other words, conclusion is a statement that can be drawn (deduced) from the
premises.
Thus, an argument is composed of 2 kinds of statements:
 The conclusion (main claim) is that statement which follows from the other
statements, and
 The reasons (evidence) are those statements which are intended to support the
conclusion.
If we compare an argument to a structure such as a house, the conclusion will be its roof,
supported by the pillars of reasons (premises):

Arguments appear in many forms and in many contexts: from advertisements to
conversations, from newspaper and magazine articles to speeches. An initial step toward
sharpening one‟s reasoning skills is to develop one‟s ability to analyze arguments by
identifying the main conclusion and the existing logical relationship between the
conclusion and its premises.