Aims Of Argument: Chapter 3 Review

Front 1

What are the four main components of the Toulmin Method/Analysis?

Back 1

1. Analyze the claim

2. Analyze the reasons

3. Analyze the evidence

4. Examine the refutations

Front 2

What three steps are assumed when told to "analyze the claim"

Back 2

1. Find the claim, or thesis, to clearly understand the argument the writer is making.

2. Look for qualifiers or if the claim is absolute (one sided, no compromises, etc.)

3. Look for explicit exceptions to the claim

Front 3

What two steps are included in "analyzing reasons"

Back 3

All statements of reason will answer the question "Why are you claiming what you've claimed?"

1. Reasons may be implied with the claim

2. Ponder each reason advanced; is the reason relevant to the thesis?

Front 4

What two steps are included in
"analyzing evidence"

Back 4

For each reason, locate all evidence offered to support it.

1. Anecdotes, case studies, citations, hard data, etc. all make effective evidence.

2. Ponder each piece of evidence; is it relevant to the reason? Is it accurate?

Front 5

What does it mean to "examine the refutations"

Back 5

If not mentioned by the writer, consider what objections you think the writer should have suggested in the text.

Front 6

Do convincing and persuading require more than logic/logical analysis?

Back 6

Yes.

Logical analysis alone is never enough to assess the strength of an argument.

You have to have outside knowledge of the situation or you're merely seeing the writer's perspective of the situation - which may not necessarily be holistic.

Front 7

What technique is emphasized throughout this chapter?

Who is it named after?

Back 7

The Toulmin Method.

Named after Stephen Toulmin, a contemporary philosopher.

Front 8

What is a claim?

Back 8

The thesis, central argument, focal point of the text.

Front 9

What are examples of qualifiers?

Back 9

1. On the whole

2. Typically

3. Usually

4 Most of the time

Front 10

What is a qualified argument?

Back 10

An argument that is not absolute (or one-sided); contains exceptions or certain circumstances in which the claim could be different.

Front 11

When looking for exceptions, what question should you ask?

Back 11

"In what case or circumstances would the writer not press his/her claim?"

Front 12

When looking for the reasons, what question should you ask?

Back 12

"Why is the writer advancing this claim?"

Front 13

When looking for the claim, what question should be asked?

Back 13

"What statement is the author defending?"

Front 14

When looking for refutations, what questions should be asked?

Back 14

1. What refutations does the writer offer?

2. How does the writer approach each objection?

Front 15

What is the largest criticism in regards to May's argument?

Back 15

He fails to acknowledge that active euthanasia need not be a sudden death.

In his article he included evidence that "those who have lost a close relative by accident are more likely to experience what Geoffrey Gorer calls limitless grief."

However, being killed through euthanasia is not necessarily a "sudden death" seeing as if the person is terminally ill -- the surrounding family recognizes that for that person the end is near.

Front 16

What is the claim in May's article?

Back 16

"Our social policy should allow terminal patients to die, but it should not regularize killing for mercy.

Front 17

What are some of the reasons listed in May's article?

Back 17

1. The dying should have time to prepare for death and to reconcile with relatives and friends.

2. The community needs examples of dependent but patient and courageous people who sometimes do die with dignity.

3. The community needs the virtues ("justice" and "love") of those who care for the sick and dying.

Front 18

What is an exception given in May's argument?

Back 18

1. "When the patient is utterly beyond human care, terminal, and in excruciating pain."

-> An example was used of a Vietnam war veteran whose four limbs were blown off due to a land mine.