Quick Help: Guidelines for analyzing an argument

• What conclusions about the argument can you reach by playing both the believing and the doubting game?

• What cultural contexts inform the argument, and what do they tell you about where the writer is coming from?

• What emotional, ethical, and logical appeals is the writer making in support of the argument?

• How has the writer established credibility to write about the topic?

• What is the claim (or arguable statement)? Is it qualified in any way?

• What reasons and assumptions support and underlie the claim?

• What additional evidence backs up the assumption and claim? How current and reliable are the sources?

• 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?

• What is the overall impression you get from analyzing the argument? Are you convinced?