I believe it is essential to develop the skill of carefully analyzing arguments. Strong arguments use clear and precise language, while the use of confusing or emotional terms can make it difficult to understand the main message. It is also important to recognize different types of definitions: some explain the general meaning of a word, while others are limited to a specific context. This helps avoid misunderstandings.
In my opinion, emotional language can make an argument seem stronger than it really is. For example, using words like “disaster” or “amazing” without any factual support is often meant to cause an emotional reaction instead of offering valid reasons. That’s why it’s important to become familiar with logical fallacies, which are mistakes in reasoning.
Two common types of fallacies are:
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Fallacies of relevance: when someone includes information that is not connected to the main point.
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Fallacies of insufficient evidence: when the argument lacks enough support or proof.
My method is:
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Identify the conclusion: What is the main idea the speaker or writer wants to defend?
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List the premises: What reasons are given to support the conclusion?
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Draw connections: I write down the premises and connect them to the conclusion using arrows to show how the ideas are related.
Example:
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Premise 1: People who exercise experience better well-being.
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Premise 2: Better well-being helps improve academic performance. Conclusion: Exercise helps students perform better in their studies.