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  • The Language of Argument

Cengage Advantage Books: Understanding Arguments: An Introduction to Informal Logic

Walter Sinnott-Armstrong, Robert J. Fogelin

Chapter 3

The Language of Argument - all with Video Answers

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Chapter Questions

Problem 1

Indicate which of the following italicized words or phrases is a reason marker, a conclusion marker, or neither.
1. He apologized, so you should forgive him.
2. He apologized. Accordingly, you should forgive him.
3. Since he apologized, you should forgive him.
4. Provided that he apologized, you should forgive him.
5. In view of the fact that he apologized, you should forgive him.
6. He apologized. Ergo, you should forgive him.
7. Given that he apologized, you should forgive him.
8. He apologized, and because of that you should forgive him.
9. After he apologizes, you should forgive him.
10. He apologized. As a result, you should forgive him.
11. Seeing as he apologized, you should forgive him.
12. He apologized. For that reason alone, you should forgive him.

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Problem 2

Indicate whether each of the following sentences is an argument.
1. Charles went bald, and most men go bald.
2. Charles went bald because most men go bald.
3. My roommate likes to ski, so I do, too.
4. My roommate likes to ski, and so do L.
5. I have been busy since Tuesday.
6. I am busy, since my teacher assigned lots of homework.

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Problem 3

Identify which of the following sentences expresses an argument. For each that does, (1) circle the argument marker (or markers), (2) indicate whether it is a reason marker or a conclusion marker, and (3) restate the argument in standard form.
1. Since Chicago is north of Boston, and Boston is north of Charleston, Chicago is north of Charleston.
2. Toward evening, clouds formed and the sky grew darker; then the storm broke.
3. Texas has a greater area than Topeka, and Topeka has a greater area than the Bronx Zoo, so Texas has a greater area than the Bronx Zoo.
4. Both houses of Congress may pass a bill, but the president may still veto it.
5. Other airlines will carry more passengers, because United Airlines is on strike.
6. Since Jesse James left town, taking his gang with him, things have been a lot quieter.
7. Things are a lot quieter, because Jesse James left town, taking his gang with him.
8. Witches float because witches are made of wood, and wood floats.
9. The hour is up, so you must hand in your exams.
10. Joe quit, because his boss was giving him so much grief.

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Problem 4

For each of the numbered words or expressions in the following sentences, indicate whether it is an argument marker, an assuring term, a guarding term, a discounting term, or none of these. For each argument marker, specify what the conclusion and the reasons are, and for each discounting term, specify what criticism is being discounted and what the response to this criticism is.
1. Although [1] no mechanism has been discovered, most [2] researchers in the field agree [3] that smoking greatly increases the chances [4] of heart disease.
2. Since [5] historically [6] public debt leads to inflation, I maintain [7] that, despite $[8]$ recent trends, inflation will return.
3. Take it from me [9], there hasn't been a decent center fielder since [10] Joe DiMaggio.
4. Whatever anyone tells you [11], there is little [12] to the rumor that Queen Elizabeth II will step down for [13] her son, Prince Charles.
5. The early deaths of Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix show [14] that drugs are really $[15]$ dangerous.
6. I think [16] he is out back somewhere.
7. I think [17], therefore [18] I am.
8. I concede [19] that the evidence is hopelessly [20] weak, but [21] I still think he is guilty.
9. I deny [22] that I had anything [23] to do with it.
10. The wind has shifted to the northeast, which means [24] that snow is likely [25].

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Problem 5

1. Construct three new and interesting examples of statements containing assuring terms, and indicate which kind of assuring it is.
2. Do the same for guarding terms, and indicate which stronger claim is being reduced in strength.
3. Do the same for discounting terms, and indicate which statement is being discounted in favor of the other.
4. Do the same for argument markers, and indicate what is presented as a reason for what.

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Problem 6

Indicate whether the following italicized terms are positively evaluative $(\mathrm{E}+$ ), negatively evaluative (E-), or simply descriptive (D). Remember, the evaluations need not be moral evaluations.
1. Janet is an excellent golfer.
2. The group was playing very loudly.
3. The group was playing too loudly.
4. William was rude to his parents.
5. William shouted at his parents.
6. They mistakenly turned right at the intersection.
7. Fascists ruled Italy for almost twenty years.
8. That's a no-no.
9. Bummer.
10. Debbie lied.
11. Debbie said something false.
12. Joe copped out.
13. Jake is a bully.
14. Mary Lou was a gold medalist.
15. She is sick.
16. He suffers from a hormonal imbalance.

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Problem 7

For each of the following sentences, construct two others-one that reverses the evaluative force, and one that is as neutral as possible. The symbol " 0 " stands for neutral, "+" for positive evaluative force, and " - " for negative evaluative force. Try to make as little change as possible in the descriptive content of the sentence.
Example: $\quad-$ Professor Conrad is rude.
+ Professor Conrad is uncompromisingly honest in his criticisms.
0 Professor Conrad often upsets people with his criticisms.
1. - Larry is a lazy lout.
6. - Walter is a weenie.
2. + Brenda is brave.
7. + Carol is caring.
3. - Sally is a snob.
8. - Bill is bossy.
4. + Bartlett is a blast.
9. - Oprah is opinionated
5. - George is a goody-goody
10. - This is a Mickey Mouse exercise.

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