Identifying and analyzing arguments

Summary

This video provides tips on how to effectively identify and analyze arguments in academic reading. It explains that arguments are typically made through topic sentences and supporting evidence, and outlines methods for identifying arguments when topic sentences are not present. It also emphasizes the importance of critically analyzing the evidence supporting arguments, considering its credibility and how it relates to the main claims. The video further advises on how to apply these techniques in your own writing by clearly stating arguments and supporting them with strong evidence. It concludes by offering additional resources for further learning.

Takeaways

• 😀 An argument is a formal way to make a point in academic writing, and identifying it is essential to understanding the main ideas of a text.
• 😀 The first sentence of many paragraphs is often a topic sentence, which clearly states the main argument or claim for that paragraph.
• 😀 The other sentences in a paragraph provide additional details, reasons, and evidence to support the main argument introduced in the topic sentence.
• 😀 If a paragraph lacks a topic sentence, identify key ideas and summarize their common theme to determine the main argument.
• 😀 Example: In a paragraph without a topic sentence, identifying common themes (e.g., nuclear energy being safer than coal energy) can help extract the main argument.
• 😀 Academic papers present arguments at multiple levels: the thesis (main argument of the paper), supporting section arguments, and individual paragraph arguments.
• 😀 To analyze arguments, evaluate the supporting evidence critically, asking questions about its soundness, relevance, and potential alternatives.
• 😀 Good evidence should be credible, convincing, and logically connected to the argument. Example: A cited research study adds credibility to the argument.
• 😀 Lack of detail or citation in evidence weakens an argument. Example: In a paragraph without clear references, the evidence can't be assessed for credibility or support.
• 😀 To improve your own writing, ensure each section has a clear main argument, supported by solid evidence, and express that argument clearly in a topic sentence.

Q & A

What is the primary goal of identifying arguments in academic readings?

The primary goal is to properly understand the main points the author is making by recognizing the arguments they present throughout the reading.

How can you typically identify the main argument in a paragraph?

You can usually identify the main argument by looking for a topic sentence, which is often the first sentence of the paragraph. The following sentences provide supporting details or evidence for this argument.

What should you do if a paragraph does not have a clear topic sentence?

If there is no topic sentence, you should identify the important ideas in the paragraph, find commonalities between them, and summarize those to determine the main point of the paragraph.

In the example paragraph about nuclear energy, what was the common thread in the two claims?

The common thread was that nuclear energy is safer than coal-fired energy. The first claim discussed radiation exposure, and the second mentioned fewer deaths from nuclear energy production compared to coal.

Why is it important to consider arguments at multiple levels in a paper?

It’s important to understand the arguments at both the broader level (thesis and section arguments) and at the paragraph level. This helps to see how the smaller arguments contribute to and support the larger thesis.

What does it mean to analyze an argument?

To analyze an argument means to critically evaluate the supporting evidence provided. You should assess whether the evidence is sound, convincing, and how it compares to other evidence or explanations.

What questions should you ask when evaluating evidence supporting an argument?

You should ask: Is the evidence sound and convincing? How does it compare with other arguments and evidence you've read? Could there be an alternative explanation based on the evidence?

Why is it important to evaluate the credibility of the evidence presented in an argument?

Evaluating the credibility of the evidence is important because it allows you to assess how well the evidence supports the argument. Without credible evidence, the argument may be weak or unreliable.

What issue arises in the second sample paragraph about nuclear energy and coal?

The issue is that the author mentions a paper from the journal Science without providing any details or citations. This lack of detail makes it impossible to evaluate the soundness of the evidence and its relevance to the claim.

What advice does the video give for improving your own academic writing?

The video advises that you clearly state the main point of each section of your paper in a topic sentence and support your argument effectively with good, credible evidence from sources.