1. Today’s Quote
Use soft words and hard arguments
English Proverb

2. Parts of an Argument I Claim: an expressed opinion or conclusion
e.g. “CSI” is an excellent TV show”

3. Parts of an Argument II Claim
Evidence: observable or previously accepted statements
e.g. It has good acting, good writing and good production.

4. Parts of an Argument III
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning: constructs a reasonable and rational link between the evidence and the claim.
e.g. Good acting, writing and production are the key elements of a good TV drama.

5. Listen UP!
Decide if the statement you hear is an argument or not.

6. Foundations of Critical Thinking
Questioning Habit
Perspective Taking
Clarifying Meaning and Assumptions
Evaluating Support
Engaging in Critical Inferences and Comparison

7. Characteristics of Critical Thinking
Clarity: could you illustrate what you mean?
Accuracy: could we find out if that is true?
Precision: could you be more specific?

8. Characteristics of Critical Thinking
Relevance: how does that help us with this issue?
Depth: what factors make this a difficult problem?
Breadth: what other points of view need to be considered?

9. Characteristics of Critical Thinking
Logic: does what you say follow from the evidence?
Significance: how important is this factor in the overall discussion?
Fairness: have we represented various positions honestly?

10. Characteristics of Critical Thinking
Clarity
Accuracy
Precision
Relevance
Depth
Breadth
Logic
Significance
Fairness

11. Application
Work with a partner to take either the list just discussed or the attributes listed in chapter 10 of the Debater’s Guide and prioritize your top three. Be able to offer arguments for your choices.

12. Induction vs. Deduction
Major Premise
Categorical truth
Minor
Puts specific case in a category
Conclusion
Necessarily follows from premises
Reasons from “known” to “known”
Induction
Series of minor premises that lead to a probable general conclusion
Reasons from what is “known” to what is probable.

13. Induction
Conclusion
Inference
Information

14. Next Time Quiz on readings so far and readings due that day.
Discussion of Chapt. 3 in CT
Discussion of what makes up a good debate topic and hearing some of your suggestions.