1. A group of propositions made up of a conclusion together with the premises that support it

2. A reason offered as support for another claim

3. The claim being supported by a premise or premises

5. These are words or phrases that mark the beginning of either a premise or a conclusion.

8.  Read the passage and ask, “What does this passage want me to believe?”  Then ask, “Why should I believe that?”

9.  The claim (what the passage wants you to believe) is the conclusion.  The statements that support it are the premises.

10. EXERCISES ON ARGUMENTS

11. Sample A Since it turns out that all humans are descended from a small number of African ancestors in our recent evolutionary past, B believing in fundamental differences between the races is as ridiculous as believing in a flat earth. (2)

12. Answer Premise: A Conclusion: B

13. A The Food and Drug Administration should stop all cigarette sales immediately. B After all, cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of death. (2) Sample

14. Answer Premise: B Conclusion: A

15. Sample A We can avert a majority of cancers by prevention efforts, even if we never get straight on the causes; B more research on prevention and less on cure makes increasing sense. (2)

16. Answer Premise: A Conclusion: B

17. Sample A No one has directly observed a chemical bond, B so scientists who try to envision such bonds must rely on experimental clues and their own imaginations. (2)

18. Answer Premise: A Conclusion: B

19. Sample A Looking up at a painting is different from simply looking at a painting, B for there is an element of awe in the experience of looking at what is above us, particularly when it is at considerable height.(2)

20. Answer Premise: B Conclusion: A

21. Identify the premise/s and conclusion of each argument. Work on the exercises on your own or with a partner. Write your answers on a Size 4.

22. 1 A Of all our passions and appetites the love of power is of the most imperious and unsociable nature, B since the pride of one man requires the submission of the multitude. (2)

23. 2 A Desert mountaintops make good sites for astronomy. B Being high, they sit above a portion of the atmosphere, enabling a star’s light to reach the telescope without having to swim through the entire depths of the atmosphere.

24. C Being dry, the desert is also relatively cloud-free, which is good as the merest veil of haze or cloud can render the sky useless for many astronomical measures. (3)

25. 3 A A good society treasures its dissidents and mavericks B because it needs the creative thinking that produces new hypotheses, expanded means, a larger set of alternatives, and, in general, the vigorous conversation induced by fresh ideas. (2)

26. 4 A Since in American schools every child is unique and of equal worth with every other child, B academic competition, which subverts this egalitarian and individualist creed, must be discouraged. (2)

27. 5 A Married people are healthier and more economically stable than single people, B and children of married people do better on a variety of indicators. C Marriage is thus a socially responsible act…(3)

28. 6 A At any cost we must have filters on out Ypsilanti Township library computers. B Pornography is a scourge on society at every level. C Our public library must not be used to channel this filth to the people of the area. (3)

29. 7 A The Jews and Arabs have been fighting for centuries, and B I seriously doubt this will ever be resolved. C The United States should get out of this never- ending fight, or the next terrorist bomb might be in Washington – and it just might be nuclear. (3)

30. 8 A It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. B Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (2)

31. 9 A Mystery is delightful, but unscientific, B since it depends upon ignorance. (2)

32. 10 A No one means all he says, B and yet very few say all they mean, C for words are slippery and D thought is viscous. (3) Take note of the number in the parentheses.