Participation Assignment: Practice Arguments
Instructions: Part 1
Identify whether the arguments listed below are inductive or deductive.
• If the argument is inductive, identify whether it is strong or weak.
• If the argument is deductive, identify the name of the argument’s
structure/form, and determine if it is valid or invalid.
Examples
Example 1
1. 9 out of 10 women like flowers.
2. Marla is a woman.
3. Therefore, Marla does not like flowers.
Answer: Inductive Weak
Example 2
1. If I drink milk, then I will not be thirsty.
2. I am thirsty.
3. Therefore, I did not drink milk.
Answer: Deductive, Modus Tollens, Valid
Arguments
Argument 1
1. If I don’t cry, then I will be brave.
2. I was brave.
3. Therefore, I didn’t cry.
Argument 2
1. 8 out of 10 dogs bite people.
2. Rocky is a dog.
3. Therefore, Rocky bites people.
Argument 3
1. If I laugh, then I will get in trouble.
2. I did not laugh.
3. Therefore, I did not get in trouble.
Argument 4
1. If I don’t eat candy, then I will be sad.
2. If I am sad, then I will cry.
3. Therefore, if I don’t eat candy, then I will cry.
Participation Assignment: Practice Arguments
Argument 5
1. If I lie, then I will be dishonest.
2. I was dishonest.
3. Therefore, I lied.
Argument 6
1. Marvin has five pets.
2. Two of those pets are dogs.
3. Marvin is walking one of his pets.
4. Therefore, Marvin is walking his dog.
Argument 7
1. If I watch television, then I will not do my homework.
2. I did my homework.
3. Therefore, I did not watch television.
Argument 8
1. 90% of people drive big cars.
2. Marvin is a person.
3. Therefore, Marvin drives a small car.
Argument 9
1. If you are in love, then you will be happy.
2. You are in love.
3. Therefore, you are happy.
Argument 10
1. Marla has 10 friends.
2. 8 of those friends live out of town.
3. Marla is going to the movies with a friend.
4. Therefore, Marla’s friend lives out of town.
Instructions: Part 2
Create one example for each type of argument listed below. It must be your own
example. Refrain from using an example from any source.
1. Inductive Strong Argument
2. Inductive Weak Argument
3. Deductive Modus Ponens Argument
4. Deductive Modus Tollens Argument
5. Deductive Affirming the Consequent Argument
6. Deductive Denying the Antecedent Argument
7. Deductive Hypothetical Syllogism Argument