Analyzing an Argument

• What conclusions about the argument can you reach by playing both the believing and the doubting game? (13a)
• What cultural contexts inform the argument, and what do they tell you about where the writer is coming from? (13b)
• What emotional, ethical, and logical appeals is the writer making in support of the argument? (13c)
• How has the writer established credibility to write about the topic? (13c)
• What is the claim (or arguable statement)? Is the claim qualified in any way? (13d)
• What reasons and assumptions support and underlie the claim? (13d)
• What additional evidence backs up the assumption and claim? How current and reliable are the sources? (13d)
• How does the writer use images, graphics, or other visuals to support the argument?
• What fallacies can you identify, and what effect do they have on the argument’s persuasiveness? (13e)
• What is the overall impression you get from analyzing the argument? Are you convinced?