Parts of an argument

In this section, I will break down the parts of an argument so we can successfully analyze arguments later. Consider the following definitions:

The definition of an argument

An argument consists of a conclusion and a set of reasons to believe that conclusion

Examples: “You should do your homework since you will fail the class if you don’t,” “I know that the Bible is true since my mom told me that it is,” and “dogs are better than cats since dogs are more loyal, and cats are mean.”

Note that an argument is not a mere stance since an argument includes reasons to believe its conclusion. So, “abortion should be legal” is not an argument (it is a stance).

The definition of a conclusion:

The ending to an argument. Or the stance which the argument supports and implies.

Examples: Look to the examples of arguments above, the conclusions are, “you should do your homework,” “I know that the Bible is true,” and “dogs are better than cats.”

The definition of a premise

A statement in an argument which helps imply a conclusion. Or a statement in an argument that is not the conclusion to the argument.

Examples: If somebody said, “chocolate is the best food since chocolate tastes the best” then the statement “chocolate tastes the best” is a premise. Furthermore, if somebody said, “A square is a rectangle and Tom is a square, thus Tom is a rectangle” then the statements “a square is a rectangle” and “Tom is a square” would be premises.

The definition of a proposition

A statement that is either true or false.

Examples: “Everybody agrees that chocolate is the best food,” “the moon is made of cheese,” “dogs like to meow,” “JFK was the president of the United States during the Cuban Missile Crisis.”

Note that some sentences are not propositions. For example, “wow” is not a proposition since it cannot be true or false (it is merely an exclamation).

Comprehension Questions

Identify the following sentences as arguments or non-arguments: