Deck 1: Foundations of Arguments

Question 1

A critical thinker is someone who uses specific criteria to evaluate reasoning, form positions, and make decisions.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Everyone's opinion about an issue, though different, has equal substance.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

The conclusion is the position taken about an issue.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

The main indicator word for a conclusion is because.

Question 5

Since reasons are what critical thinkers spend most of their time evaluating, a good trick in isolating the reasons, is to write the conclusion and then add the word:

A) Why
B) Always
C) Issue
D) Because

Question 6

A conclusion is supported by

A) Arguments
B) Issues
C) Reasons
D) Critical thinking
E) Common sense

Question 7

Issues about _____ sometimes called prescriptive issues, deal with what is considered good or bad or right or wrong.

A) Knowledge
B) Logic
C) Values
D) Reasoning
E) Dilemma

Question 8

Evidence, premises, support, or justification are synonyms for:

A) Values
B) Rationale
C) Ethics
D) Reasons
E) Decisions

Question 9

A_____involves a dilemma between two or more alternative actions.

A) Choice
B) Decision
C) Reason
D) Example
E) Method

Question 10

This can be used as an argument in order to provide information in a disarming way using tools such as irony and exaggeration…

A) Purpose
B) Persuasion
C) Informative arguments
D) Ethically driven information
E) Humor

Question 11

Matching

-The question that is being addressed is called the______.

A) Issue
B) Conclusion
C) Reasons

Question 12

Matching

-You will spend most of your time and energy as a critical thinker and responsible speaker and writer looking at the quality of the ______.

A) Issue
B) Conclusion
C) Reasons

Question 13

Matching

-When we say yes or no to the issues presented, we are stating our______.

A) Issue
B) Conclusion
C) Reasons

Question 14

Define issue and conclusion, using examples for each.

Question 15

Give a brief summary of one of your classmate's opinion statements-list the issue, conclusion, and one reason.

Question 16

What function do the reasons play in an argument?

Question 17

Using an example, define "policy issue."

Question 18

A billboard proclaims, "Drink Z-Cola. Buy it now!" Is this an argument?
Why or why not?

Question 19

Everyone has a right to his or her opinion. The right to think freely is prized by our culture. However, as critical thinkers, we can see some opinions as carrying greater weight than others. On what basis does one opinion have higher quality than another? How do we determine the worth of a given conclusion?

Question 20

What are the steps of the decision-making method? What types of situations or decisions have you encountered when this logical deconstruction would have been helpful to you?

Question 21

Think of a situation you currently or recently experienced that requires you to make a decision. Using the steps in the decision-making method show the logical progression to your final decision.

Question 22

Explain the statement: "The strength of a conclusion is based on the quality of the evidence used to support the conclusion." Use an example in your explanation.