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LOGIC AND SENTENCE NOTES
Transcript

LOGIC AND SENTENCE

NOTES

STANDARDS

3003.3.2

Choose the most effective order of sentences in a paragraph.

3003.3.10

Evaluate the relevance of supporting sentences be deleting an irrelevant sentence in a passage.3003.

5.10Identify a false premise in text.

3003.5.11

Identify the main claim, premise(s), evidence, or conclusion of a given argument.

BE DELETING AN IRRELEVANT SENTENCE

The first sentence of a paragraph should be your topic sentence.

All sentences should support your topic sentence

A topic sentence CANNOT be: Fact Evidence Statistic Fragment About something other than what the

paragraph is about Too general

SUPPORTING SENTENCES These sentences MUST relate closely

to the topic sentence They should be

ExamplesStatistics Commentary that develops the

understanding of the topic sentenceAnalysis of the topicMust be in a logical order

IRRELEVANT SENTENCES If the sentences:

are not related to the topicare not examples of the topicare not analysis of the topicare not commentary of the topicAre off topicAre random statementsProving the opposite side (Caution)

DELETE IT!

PRACTICE Directions: Read the slides. Then

determine which sentence does not belong. Tell me why it does not belong.

1) FIND THE IRRELEVANT SENTENCE

(a)I never know what to do with my hands when I am giving a talk. (b)For instance, when I am making an oral report in history class, I have trouble with my hands. (c)Sometimes I put them behind me. (d)At other times I hide them in my pockets. (e)A good speaker does not pause very much while he is speaking. (f)Often I clasp my hands in front of me to keep them from shaking while I am speaking.

1) FIND THE IRRELEVANT SENTENCE

(a)I never know what to do with my hands when I am giving a talk. (b)For instance, when I am making an oral report in history class, I have trouble with my hands. (c)Sometimes I put them behind me. (d)At other times I hide them in my pockets. (e)A good speaker does not pause very much while he is speaking. (f)Often I clasp my hands in front of me to keep them from shaking while I am speaking.

2) FIND THE IRRELEVANT SENTENCE

(a)It was really a perfect day. (b)It was a day that made everything seem beautiful. (c)The sun shone brightly, but it was not too hot. (d)The flowers seemed to open up wider in the lovely weather. (e)It was a day when the world seemed brighter and happier than usual. (f)In the winter I have to stay indoors so much that I like to be outdoors in the summer.

2) FIND THE IRRELEVANT SENTENCE

(a)It was really a perfect day. (b)It was a day that made everything seem beautiful. (c)The sun shone brightly, but it was not too hot. (d)The flowers seemed to open up wider in the lovely weather. (e)It was a day when the world seemed brighter and happier than usual. (f)In the winter I have to stay indoors so much that I like to be outdoors in the summer.

3) FIND THE IRRELEVANT SENTENCE

(a)Diamonds are the most valuable of the precious stones. (b)They were first discovered in India, probably around 500 B.C. (c)For a long time India was the only source of diamonds. (d)Later large diamond fields were discovered in Africa. (e)Many rubies and other precious stones come from Burma. (f)The largest and most perfect diamonds are so valuable that they are priceless. (g)Most of these stones are nowheld by museums and governments.

3) FIND THE IRRELEVANT SENTENCE

(a)Diamonds are the most valuable of the precious stones. (b)They were first discovered in India, probably around 500 B.C. (c)For a long time India was the only source of diamonds. (d)Later large diamond fields were discovered in Africa. (e)Many rubies and other precious stones come from Burma. (f)The largest and most perfect diamonds are so valuable that they are priceless. (g)Most of these stones are nowheld by museums and governments.

4) FIND THE IRRELEVANT SENTENCE (a)Many of the vegetables we buy

when we go to the supermarket are "naturalized Americans." (b)Originally they came from faraway places. (c)Tomatoes and the so-called Irish potatoes came from South America. (d)Cucumbers and eggplant originated in India. (e)Radishes came from China. (f)No one knows where apples and pears were first found, but scientists believe peaches came from China. (g)Peas, carrots, lettuce, and parsnips are also from Asia.

4) FIND THE IRRELEVANT SENTENCE (a)Many of the vegetables we buy

when we go to the supermarket are "naturalized Americans." (b)Originally they came from faraway places. (c)Tomatoes and the so-called Irish potatoes came from South America. (d)Cucumbers and eggplant originated in India. (e)Radishes came from China. (f)No one knows where apples and pears were first found, but scientists believe peaches came from China. (g)Peas, carrots, lettuce, and parsnips are also from Asia.

5) FIND THE IRRELEVANT SENTENCE (a)Japan consists of a group of four

large islands and hundreds of small ones. (b)The largest and most important island is Honshu, on which the six chief cities are situated. (c)The island of Shikoku, south of Honshu, is one of the chief rice-growing regions. (d)Kyushu is the most southerly of the large islands. (e)North of Honshu is Hokkaido, which is more thinly populated than the other large islands. (f)Spring and summer are usually very pleasant.

5) FIND THE IRRELEVANT SENTENCE (a)Japan consists of a group of four

large islands and hundreds of small ones. (b)The largest and most important island is Honshu, on which the six chief cities are situated. (c)The island of Shikoku, south of Honshu, is one of the chief rice-growing regions. (d)Kyushu is the most southerly of the large islands. (e)North of Honshu is Hokkaido, which is more thinly populated than the other large islands. (f)Spring and summer are usually very pleasant.

6) FIND THE IRRELEVANT SENTENCE (a)Ice cream is so common in our lives

that we never think about how we came to have it. (b)Who first made ice cream? (c)It is thought that ice cream, like many other things, originated in China. (d)Some other inventions by the Chinese are gunpowder, paper, and silk cloth. (e)It is believed that a traveler brought the idea from China to Italy several centuries ago. (f)From Italy it spread to France and England, and later to the United States.

6) FIND THE IRRELEVANT SENTENCE (a)Ice cream is so common in our lives

that we never think about how we came to have it. (b)Who first made ice cream? (c)It is thought that ice cream, like many other things, originated in China. (d)Some other inventions by the Chinese are gunpowder, paper, and silk cloth. (e)It is believed that a traveler brought the idea from China to Italy several centuries ago. (f)From Italy it spread to France and England, and later to the United States.

ADDING & DELETING SENTENCES,

DETERMINING SENTENCE SEQUENCE

PRACTICE

Humans have known that earthworms have been vital to enriching Earth's rich soil all throughout history. Egyptian Queen Cleopatra called earthworms sacred. The Greek philosopher Aristotle said earthworms were the intestines" of the soil.  In 1881 Charles Darwin stated, "It may be doubted whether there are many other creatures which have played so important a part in the history of the world."

Which sentence would make the best addition to the end of this paragraph?

a) Could Earth support mankind without the earthworm?

b) People throughout history have understood that earthworms are extremely important.

c) Charles Darwin was a scientist. d) Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and

scientist.

ANSWER b) People throughout history have

understood that earthworms are extremely important.

Earthworms may be divided into three categories. The Endogeic or soil dwellers live in the top foot of soil. The Epigeic or litter dwellers live on the decomposing plant material in wooded area. The third type is the Anecic or the deep burrowers. The Anecic worm lives several feet under the ground. They drag organic matter from the surface to their burrows.

Which sentence would make the best conclusion to the end of this paragraph?

a)  These three types of worms have been given Greek names meaning "up from the earth", "within the earth", and "upon the earth".

b)  Earthworms live anywhere the climate is not too hot or too cold, or too wet or too dry.

c)  Earthworms vary greatly in size. d)  During cold months worms become

dormant or move to warmer locations such as the compost pile.

ANSWER a)  These three types of worms have

been given Greek names meaning "up from the earth", "within the earth", and "upon the earth".

Have you ever bitten into a nice juicy apple only to find that a worm had already been there? The apple worm is really the caterpillar of the codling moth. The young hatch from eggs the size of pin heads and feast on apples for about a month. When the caterpillar is about a half-inch long it leaves the apple and spins a cocoon. After a month the adult moth emerges.

Which sentence would make the best addition to the end of this paragraph?

a)  Apples are an extremely healthy food to eat. b)  Moths and butterflies are different in several ways. c)  Sometimes three generations of the codling moths may live in the orchard in just a year. d) The codling moth is a pesky varmint.

ANSWER c)  Sometimes three generations of the

codling moths may live in the orchard in just a year.

The codling moth is native to Europe. Settlers brought the moth to North America with apples in about 1750. The moth moved westward across the United States and finally reached California in 1874. The moth damages apples, pears and even English walnuts.

Which sentence would make the best addition to the end of this paragraph?

a)  Several harmful insects have reached North America by transporting plants across the Atlantic Ocean.b)  Farmers have lost millions of dollars in crops due to the codling moth.c)  The only thing worse than biting into an apple and finding a worm, is biting into an apple and finding only half a worm.d)  Moths are attracted to the light.

ANSWER b)  Farmers have lost millions of dollars

in crops due to the codling moth.

The symbol of the worm may be found in several figurative language phrases. When you are referring to a controversial issue you may say, "Don't open that can of worms." A person whom you do not respect may be called a worm. When you are in an awkward situation you may try to "worm your way out of it". One type of computer virus is known as a worm.

Which sentence would make the best addition to the end of this paragraph?

a)  Americans use many figurative language phrases that do not have literal meanings.b)  Once my computer was attacked by a worm that came through on an e-mail.c)  On one television show I watched, the team had to try to figure out which person playing the game was the worm.d)  In each of these phrases the word worm has a negative undertone.

ANSWER

d)  In each of these phrases the word worm has a negative undertone.

After Myra was unable to make up her mind about who she wanted to marry, Elya decided to leave Latvia. He moved to America where he fell in love and was married. Soon afterwards he began having bad luck, and he felt he was cursed. Walking under a ladder, black cats, and spilling salt are bad luck. Hoping to change his luck he tried to find Madame Zeroni's son but had no luck. 

1. Which sentence does not belong in the paragraph?

A. After Myra was unable to make up her mind on who she wanted to marry, Elya decided to leave Latvia.

B. He moved to America where he fell in love and was married.

C. Soon afterwards he began having bad luck, and he felt he was cursed.

D. Walking under a ladder, black cats, and spilling salt are bad luck.

ANSWERD. Walking under a ladder, black cats, and spilling salt are bad luck.

Elya Yelnats' wife decided to name her son Stanley because she noticed that Yelnats spelled backwards was Stanley. Words that are spelled the same backwards or forwards are known as palindromes. Naming the first son Stanley became a family tradition in the Yelnats family. The Stanley of Camp Green Lake was actually Stanley Yelnets IV.

2. Which sentence does not belong in the paragraph?

A. Elya Yelnats' wife decided to name her son Stanley because she noticed that Yelnats spelled backwards was Stanley.

B. Words that are spelled the same backwards or forwards are known as palindromes.

C. Naming the first son Stanley became a family tradition in the Yelnats family.

D. The Stanley of Camp Green Lake was actually Stanley Yelnets IV.

ANSWERB. Words that are spelled the same

backwards or forwards are known as palindromes.

The shovel felt heavy in Stanley's soft, fleshy hands. The boys at Camp Green Lake have been told that if they find anything interesting or unusual to report it to Mr. Pendanski or Mr. Sir. The warden promised a day off if she likes what the boys find. While digging his second hole, Stanley finds a fish fossil. When he shows the fossil to Mr. Pendanski, he tells Stanley that the fossil is not the kind of thing the Warden finds interesting. Stanley does not get the day off.

3. Which sentence does not belong in the paragraph?

A. The shovel felt heavy in Stanley's soft, fleshy hands.B. The boys at Camp Green Lake have been told that if

they find anything interesting or unusual to report it to Mr. Pendanski or Mr. Sir.

C. When he shows the fossil to Mr. Pendanski, he tells Stanley that the fossil is not the kind of thing the Warden finds interesting.

D. Stanley does not get the day off.

ANSWERA. The shovel felt heavy in Stanley's soft,

fleshy hands.

Stanley finds a gold tube engraved with the initials "KB". He gives the tube to X-Ray who decides to wait until the next day to give it to the Warden. Although he is small and cannot see well, X-Ray manages to take charge and have the other boys follow his orders. Once the warden sees the tube she takes control of the diggers and organizes a new digging routine. Stanley realizes they are searching for something specific but in the wrong place. Since the campers are now digging in a different place from where the tube was actually found, the warden is not likely to find the missing treasure.

4. Which sentence does not belong in the paragraph?

A. Stanley finds a gold tube engraved with the initials "KB".B. He gives the tube to X-Ray, who decides to wait until the next day to give it to the Warden.C. Although he is small and cannot see well, X-Ray manages to take charge and have the other boys follow his orders.

D. Once the Warden sees the tube she takes control of the diggers and organizes a new digging routine.

ANSWERC. Although he is small and cannot see well,

X-Ray manages to take charge and have the other boys follow his orders.

Stanley was walking home from school when a pair of shoes fell on his head. Stanley takes the shoes because he feels it is a sign. His father is working on a way to recycle old sneakers. Old sneakers can be turned into the spongy sport-court surface for playgrounds. Stanley is arrested for stealing the shoes which had been donated by baseball player Clyde Livingston for a charitable auction. Stanley is sentenced to 18 months at Camp Green Lake, a youth correctional facility.

5. Which sentence does not belong in the paragraph?

A. Stanley was walking home from school when a pair of shoes fell on his head.

B. Stanley takes the shoes because he feels it is a sign.

C. is father is working on a way to recycle old sneakers.

D. Old sneakers can be turned into the spongy sport-court surface for playgrounds.

ANSWER D. Old sneakers can be turned into the spongy sport-court surface for playgrounds

When Stanley learns Zero is unable to read, he and Zero come to an agreement. The inability to read is a major problem for many Americans. Zero will help dig Stanley's hole. In return Stanley will give Zero reading lessons. During these lessons they become friends.

6. Which sentence does not belong in the paragraph?

A. When Stanley learns Zero is unable to read, he and Zero come to an agreement.B. The inability to read is a major problem for many Americans.

C. In return Stanley will give Zero reading lessons.

D. During these lessons they become friends.

ANSWER

B. The inability to read is a major problem for many Americans.

Sam, the onion peddler, repairs the school's leaky roof in exchange for Katherine's spiced peaches. There are other problems with the schoolhouse which are also repaired by Sam in exchange for peaches. Peaches contain Vitamin C and Beta Carotene. Eventually Sam runs out of things that need to be fixed and is heartbroken.

7. Which sentence does not belong in the paragraph?

A. Sam, the onion peddler, repairs the school's leaky roof in exchange for Katherine's spiced peaches.

B. There are other problems with the schoolhouse which are also repaired by Sam in exchange for peaches.

C. Peaches contain Vitamin C and Beta Carotene.D. Eventually Sam runs out of things that need to be fixed and is heartbroken.

ANSWERC. Peaches contain Vitamin C and Beta Carotene.

In Holes three stories from different times in history are combined. As we read we learn of all three stories while Stanley and Zero only know the small bits and pieces that have been passed down to them. Both boys are surprised that they know the same song, yet they do not know the song was passed down from their ancestors living in the same town in Latvia. Latvia is a small country in eastern Europe. The boys could have been aided further if they had known Kate and Sam's story.

8. Which sentence does not belong in the paragraph?

A. In Holes three stories from different times in history are combined.

B. As we read we learn of all three stories while Stanley and Zero only know the small bits and pieces that have been passed down to them.

C. Latvia is a small country in eastern Europe. D. The boys could have been aided further if they

had known Kate and Sam's story.

ANSWER C. Latvia is a small country in eastern Europe.

Louis Sachar establishes links between the past and the present. Kate turns violent when the people of Green Lake kill Sam. When Mr. Pendanski repeatedly taunts Zero, he becomes violent. Camp Green Lake is dry, hard, and hot. It is a physically unpleasant place to be, and the people who live there lead unpleasant lives. After learning that Sam uses onions to heal Becca Tennyson, we find that Stanley is also using onions to heal Zero. We know the yellow spotted lizard killed Kate Barlow. Will lizards also be the end of Stanley or Zero?

9. Which sentence does not belong in the paragraph?

A. Kate turns violent when the people of Green Lake kill Sam.B. When Mr. Pendanski repeatedly taunts Zero, he becomes violent.C. Camp Green Lake is dry, hard, and hot.

D. After learning that Sam uses onions to heal Becca Tennyson, we find that Stanley is also using onions to heal Zero.

ANSWERC. Camp Green Lake is dry, hard, and hot.

The past and the present come together in an interesting way in Holes. When Stanley and Zero reach God's thumb the reader recognizes that this is Sam's onion patch where Sam claimed water ran uphill. It is at this point in the story that we realize a parallel between Stanley and Zero's lives and that of Elya Yelnats and Madame Zeroni. Elya promised to carry Madame Zeroni up a mountain to a place where a stream ran uphill and sing to her about the wolf and the woodpecker. Stanley, unlike his great-great grandfather, does just that with Zero. Stanley takes care of Zero and sings to him. The song tells about a wolf who is hungry and lonely howling at the moon. By doing this Stanley shows great commitment and determination.

10. Which sentence does not belong in the paragraph?

A. The past and the present come together in an interesting way in Holes.B. It is at this point in the story that we realize a parallel between Stanley and Zero's lives and that of Elya Yelnats and Madame Zeroni.C. Stanley, unlike his great-great grandfather, does just that with Zero.D. The song tells about a wolf who is hungry and lonely howling at the moon.

ANSWER D. The song tells about a wolf who is

hungry and lonely howling at the moon.

COHERENCE IN A PARAGRAPHCOHERENCE IN A PARAGRAPH

Stick to the point: The ideas have a clear and logical relation to each other.

Put details or examples or incidents in logical order.

4

3

2

1chronological

in relation to each other

in order of importance

Connecting Sentences Within the Paragraphchronological order

first

meanwhile

later

afterwards

finally

objects in relation to one another

next to

in front of

beside

between

behind

in order of importance

however

furthermore

as a result

in fact

yet

Transition words

TYPES OF PARAGRAPHS

The narrative paragraph tells a story

The persuasive paragraph. tries to convince the audience

The descriptive paragraph describes something

The expository or explanatory paragraph gives information or explains something

Sam repaired the leaky roof on the old schoolhouse. During the week it took Sam to repair the roof, he became friends with Miss Katherine, the school teacher. She was surprised in Sam's love of poetry. Meanwhile Sam took on other repair jobs at the schoolhouse including repairing the windows, fixing the wobbly desk, and hanging the door straight. After each repair Sam was rewarded with jars of spiced peaches. By the end of the first semester, Sam had the schoolhouse looking new.

11. Which sequence best describes the order of events in this passage?

1) Sam took on other repair jobs at the schoolhouse. 2) Miss Katherine and Sam became friends. 3) By the end of the first semester, Sam had the schoolhouse looking new. 4) Sam repaired the leaky roof. a) 4, 2, 3, 1 c) 3, 4, 1, 2 b) 3, 4, 2, 1 d) 4, 2, 1, 3

ANSWER d) 4, 2, 1, 3

First Charles "Trout" Walker led an angry group of townspeople to the school house. Then he called Katherine Barlow a "Devil Woman" for kissing Sam, the onion man. Immediately after this Katherine ran to the sheriff for help, but he was drunk tried to flirt with her instead of trying to help. Trout then caught up to Katherine and Sam on his motorized boat. Katherine was rescued against her wishes and Sam was shot. Three days later Katherine shot the sheriff and kissed him, giving her the name Kissin' Kate Barlow.

12. Which sequence best describes the order of events in this passage?

1) Trout called Katherine a Devil Woman. 2) Katherine was rescued, and Sam was shot. 3) Trout Walker took the townspeople to the school house. 4) Kate killed the sheriff. 5) Katherine went to the sheriff for help. a) 3, 1, 5, 2, 4 c) 3, 4, 1, 2, 5 b) 3, 4, 5, 2, 1 d) 3, 5, 4, 1, 2

ANSWER a) 3, 1, 5, 2, 4

After 20 years of being a bandit, Kate returned to Green Lake. The place was a ghost town and the lake had dried up. Trout and his wife, Linda Miller, found Kate and demanded that she give them her stolen treasure. Next Trout and Linda dragged Kate all over the dried up lake in her bare feet demanding she tell them were the loot was buried. Suddenly Kate was bitten by a lizard. Her last words were, "Start digging." Kate died laughing.

13. Which sequence best describes the order of events in this passage?

1)  Kate walks aimlessly barefooted across the dried up lake. 2)  Kate dies laughing. 3)  Kate returned to Green Lake. 4)  Trout and Linda demanded that Kate tell them were she has buried the stolen money. 5)  A lizard bites Kate.

ANSWER 2)  Kate dies laughing.

Stanley ran away from Camp Green Lake. First he had to walk across the hot desert. As soon as he became dehydrated Stanley started seeing mirages of pools of water. Stanley continued walking and noticed a rock that looked like a thumb. Although he wanted to stop, Stanley kept walking. Eventually he spotted an upside down boat called the Mary Lou. Stanley yelled, and someone yelled back. Suddenly an arm with a orange sleeve came out from under the boat and waved.

14. Which sequence best describes the order of events in this passage?

1)  Stanley began to see mirages. 2)  Stanley saw God's Thumb. 3)  Stanley walked towards an overturned boat. 4)  An orange arm waved. 5)  Stanley ran away. a) 5, 1, 2, 4, 3 c) 5, 1, 2, 3, 4 b) 4, 5, 1, 3, 2 d) 5, 3, 4, 1, 2

ANSWER c) 5, 1, 2, 3, 4

     When Stanley finds Zero, he  doesn’t look well. Zero has been living on sploosh under the boat for days. Zero tells Stanley the sploosh tastes like peaches. Zero says he won’t go back to camp or dig any more holes. In the end Stanley shows Zero the mountain that looks like God’s Thumb.

15. Which sequence best describes the order of events in this passage?

1) Zero tells Stanley about the sploosh.2) Stanley shows Zero God's Thumb.3) Stanley finds Zero. 4) Zero says he will not return to Camp Green Lake.

a) 4, 2, 3, 1 b) 3, 1, 4, 2 c) 3, 4, 1, 2 d) 4, 2, 1, 3

ANSWER c) 3, 4, 1, 2

PART II: LOGIC

IDENTIFY THE MAIN CLAIM, PREMISE(S), EVIDENCE, OR CONCLUSION

In logic and debate, an argument is a set of statements based on persuasive communication that includes a claim

When analyzing an argument, you have to determine which statement is the conclusion and which ones are the premises

THE ARGUMENT An argument, at its simplest, is a claim that is

supported by a premise. An argument consists of a premise (or

several premises) and a conclusion A premise is a statement that seems

factual. It can be a reason, an explanation, or a justification

  A premise is a claim that supports another claim.

The conclusion of the argument is that with which the speaker wants the listener to agree.

The main claim, or conclusion of the argument, will be the answer to the issue question

ARGUMENT EXAMPLE

EXAMPLE: Doctors earn a lot of money. (premise)  I want to earn a lot of money. (premise)  I should become a doctor. (conclusion)

ARGUMENTATION KEY TERMS Claim: a statement or opinion that is

either true or false Argument: a claim supported by

premises Conclusion: the main claim in an

argument Premises: claims that support an

argument’s conclusion

CLAIM  Claim: an assertion about the truth,

existence, or value of something that is either true or false

❖ Claims are also called Statements or Propositions

❖ When supported by a premises, a claim becomes a conclusion ○ This class is easy. ○ The Detroit Lions have the potential to

make the NFL playoffs. ○ This chemical structure is unstable. ○ Democratic socialism is superior to a

pure democracy.

ARGUMENT Argument: an assertion that contains

BOTH a conclusion and premises ○ Not all statements are arguments ○ A statement of fact or opinion based on

evidence ○ Some statements contain multiple

arguments

ARGUMENT VIDEO Look at this video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nq8-w2BAJkU

TO FIGURE IT OUT: Find the conclusion (main claim) first. Learn the key

words that are likely to be used in a conclusion. Key words include "therefore," "for that reason," "thus," "so," "for," "then," "consequently," "as a result" and "accordingly.“

Look for sentences that offer evidence, anecdotes, explanations, supporting arguments and quotations from authorities to support the conclusion.

Premises are reasons given to support a conclusion, and they can be identified by key terms that include "according to," "considering," "by," "if," "given that," "in fact," "for," "since," "because" and "after all."

Premises are statements of (assumed) fact which are supposed to set forth the reasons and/or evidence for believing a claim. The claim, in turn, is the conclusion:

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS AN ARGUMENT?  Vending machines stocked with soda or

candy should be removed from all public schools. NOT AN ARGUMENT. It offers no support

Star Wars is the best movie ever. ○ NOT AN ARGUMENT. It offers no support

We’d better leave now. If we don’t, we might miss the last train and we’ll be stuck here all night. ○ THIS IS AN ARGUMENT. It offers support

(premises) to support the claim.

FIND THE PREMISE AND CONCLUSION Watch the video on how to find the

premise and conclusion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07mehbgE5jc

PREMISE  Premise: A reason offered as support, or

evidence, for another claim. These are often indicated by the words:

○ Because ○ As shown by ○ For ○ Given that ○ As ○ As indicated by ○ Since ○ The reason is that ○ Inasmuch as

PREMISE EXAMPLE Today's freshmen cannot write very well.

Joe is a freshman, so he must be a poor writer.

Premise Today's freshmen cannot write very well

Premise Joe is a freshman, Conclusion so he must be a poor writer

WHAT IS THE CONCLUSION IN EACH OF THE FOLLOWING ARGUMENTS?

Abortion is wrong because all human life is sacred.

❖ Abortion is wrong. It’s flu season and you work with kids,

so you should get a flu shot. ❖ You should get a flu shot.

We should believe that rocks exist because we are able to see them.

❖ Rocks Exist

WHAT IS THE CONCLUSION IN EACH OF THE FOLLOWING ARGUMENTS?  John will probably receive the next

promotion since he’ s been here the longest ❖ John will receive the next promotion

We must reduce the amount of money we spend on space exploration. Right now, the enemy is launching a massive military buildup, and we need the additional money to purchase military equipment to help match the anticipated increase in the enemy’s strength ❖ We must reduce the amount of money we

spend on space exploration.

WHAT IS THE CONCLUSION IN EACH OF THE FOLLOWING ARGUMENTS?

It’s a beautiful day. We should go to the park. Besides, I need some exercise. We should go to the park.

That movie has had horrible reviews. My sister saw it and said it was boring and her friend spotted three mistakes. Pick a different movie. I am sure we can find something better. We should pick a different movie.

IDENTIFY THE PREMISES AND CONCLUSION

Rewrite the argument in standard form● Step 1: Identify which claim is the conclusion.● Step 2: Identify which claims are premises

supporting conclusion

 

Standard Form1 Premise 1

2 Premise 2

Conclusion

IDENTIFY THE PREMISES AND CONCLUSION

All black dogs are warm-blooded because they are mammals, and all mammals are

warm-blooded

 

Standard FormPremise 1:

Premise 2:

Conclusion:

IDENTIFY THE PREMISES AND CONCLUSION

All black dogs are warm-blooded because they are mammals, and all mammals are

warm-blooded“because” = indicates a Premise

 

Standard FormPremise 1: Black dogs are mammalsPremise 2: All mammals are warm-

bloodedConclusion: All black dogs are warm-

blooded

IDENTIFY THE PREMISES AND CONCLUSION

He must be a good basketball player. After all, he’s tall, and all tall people are good basketball players.

 

Standard FormPremise 1:

Premise 2:

Conclusion:

IDENTIFY THE PREMISES AND CONCLUSION

He must be a good basketball player. After all, he’s tall, and all tall people are good basketball players.

“After all” = indicates a Premise 

Standard FormPremise 1: He’s tallPremise 2: All tall people are good

basketball playersConclusion: He must be a good basketball

player

IDENTIFY THE PREMISES AND CONCLUSION

The weather report is calling for blizzard conditions. Driving could be hazardous. Stay here tonight and you can head back to college after the road is plowed tomorrow.

 

Standard FormPremise 1:

Premise 2:

Conclusion:

WRITE IT IN STANDARD FORM

Start on your homework now. You will get done earlier and still have time to watch the movie with us. It shouldn’t take too long and your father can help you if you need it. 

Standard Form

IDENTIFY THE PREMISES AND CONCLUSION

If all employers require their employees to take a flu shot, then less people would take sick days. This would result in increased productivity for the nation as a whole.

 

Standard FormPremise 1:

Premise 2:

Conclusion:

IDENTIFY THE PREMISES AND CONCLUSIONIf all employers require their employees

to take a flu shot, then less people would take sick days. This would result in increased productivity for the nation as a whole.

 

Standard FormPremise 1: If all employers require their

employees to take a flu shot, then less people would take sick days

Premise 2: What is the implied premise?Conclusion: The flu shot would increase

productivity for the nation as a whole.

IDENTIFY THE PREMISES AND CONCLUSIONIf all employers require their employees

to take a flu shot, then less people would take sick days. This would result in increased productivity for the nation as a whole.

 

Standard FormPremise 1: If all employers require their

employees to take a flu shot, then less people would take sick days

Premise 2: Less people taking sick days would increase productivity for the nation

Conclusion: The flu shot would increase productivity for the nation as a whole.

IDENTIFY THE PREMISES AND CONCLUSION

Less than one percent of the people receiving parking tickets appeal those tickets. Therefore, one cannot claim that the Parking officers are issuing unwarranted citations.

 

Standard Form

Premise 1:

Premise 2:

Conclusion:

IDENTIFY THE PREMISES AND CONCLUSION

Less than one percent of the people receiving parking tickets appeal those tickets. Therefore, one cannot claim that the Parking officers are issuing unwarranted citations. 

Standard FormPremise 1: Less than one percent of the people

receiving parking tickets appeal those tickets.

Premise 2: What is the implied premise?Conclusion: one cannot claim that the Parking

officers are issuing unwarranted citations.

IDENTIFY THE PREMISES AND CONCLUSIONLess than one percent of the people

receiving parking tickets appeal those tickets. Therefore, one cannot claim that the Parking officers are issuing unwarranted citations. 

Standard FormPremise 1: Less than one percent of the people

receiving parking tickets appeal those tickets.

Premise 2: People appeal unwarranted citations

Conclusion: one cannot claim that the Parking officers are issuing unwarranted citations.

FALSE PREMISE An argument from

false premises is a line of reasoning which can lead to wrong results

A false premise is an untrue statement that forms the basis of an argument

Since the premise (proposition, or assumption) is not correct, the conclusion drawn may be in error.

If the streets are wet, it has rained recently. (premise)

The streets are wet. (premise)

Therefore it has rained recently. (conclusion)

FALSE PREMISE "An old cowboy goes into

a restaurant and orders a food and something to drink. As he sits there sipping his drink, a young lady sits down next to him. ... She says, 'I'm a cook. I spend my whole day thinking about food. ...' A little while later, a couple sits down next to the old cowboy and asks him, 'Are you a real cowboy?' He replies, 'I always thought I was, but I just found out I'm a cook'

The mistake the cowboy makes is that he assumes that the definition of a cook is somebody who spends the "whole day thinking about food.”

FALSE PREMISE EXAMPLES 1. The president of the United States must be

60 years of age or older.George W. Bush must be 60 years of age or older.So, George W. Bush is president of the United States

2. Mickey mouse is a cat All cats have 7 legs so Mickey mouse has 7 legs

3. Identical twins sometimes have different IQ test scores. Yet these twins inherit exactly the same genes. So environment must play some part in determining a person's IQ.


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