This document discusses how to evaluate arguments. To evaluate an argument, you first analyze it by identifying the claim, or conclusion, the author is trying to persuade the reader of. You then identify the evidence or reasons the author provides to support the claim. Finally, you critically analyze the strength of the evidence and how well it actually supports the claim. A strong, valid argument will have evidence that is truthful and clearly supports its claim.

1. Analyzing and Evaluating
Arguments

2.  The critical reader must be able to evaluate
arguments.
 When you evaluate an argument (a set of claims),
you determine its value or persuasiveness.
 To be able to do a good job evaluating arguments,
you need to know what an argument is and how an
argument is put together.

3.  An argument is a claim that is supported by reasons
or evidence.
 When an author tries to persuade the reader that
something is true or correct by presenting supporting
reasons or evidence, an argument is being made.
 This means that an argument is different from a
statement.

4. Persuasion
 The author is trying to convince the reader that a
claim is true by giving supporting reasons or
evidence.

5. The Claim
 The claim of an argument
is the point of the argument.
 When an author makes an argument,
it’s the claim that the author is trying to persuade
the reader to accept as true.

6. Analysis
 To evaluate an argument, you need to analyze it.
 When you analyze an argument, you break it
down into its parts and examine them by
themselves and in relation to the other parts of
the argument.

7. Argument.
 First, identify the argument’s claim.
 What is the conclusion the author is trying to
persuade the reader to accept as true?
 What is the point of the argument?

8. Step 2 for Analyzing an Argument
 Identify the reason or evidence the author gives
for support.
Claim
Evidence Evidence Evidence
1 2 3

9. Step 3 for Analyzing an Argument
 Think critically and skeptically about the reasons
or evidence that the argument presents.
 What is the source of the evidence?
 Is the evidence true?
 Do the reasons or evidence defeat or weaken the
argument?

10. Step 4 for Analyzing an Argument
 Ask yourself how well the reasons or evidence
support the claim.
 If the evidence is weak or false, then the
argument will be less persuasive or even invalid.
 If the evidence is poor, the argument will be less
persuasive or even invalid.