Inductive reasoning is when an argument’s conclusion does not follow with strict logical necessity from its premises. In other words, the premises support the conclusion but do not have conclusive evidence. Its evaluation depends on the strength of the support provided to a conclusion, where the conclusion is more likely to be true than false. There are many indicator words to identify an inductive argument, such as likely, probably, chances are that, among others. They do not guarantee that the argument is inductive, but chances are that it is. One of its types is inductive generalization.
An inductive generalization is where the argument is based on a sample population to claim it. In this type, it is essential to know whether the premises are true and if the size of the sample population justifies the conclusion and is representative. First, the conclusion must be validated for true premises and solid support to be a cogent argument. Also, a large enough sample allows the premise to be strong and can support the conclusion. Finally, a representative sample is like the population in all relevant ways.
Regarding statistical arguments and the role of analogy, it is essential to mention that they are part of inductive reasoning. First, statistical arguments start from premises regarding a percentage, but they involve generalizing a prediction based on observed patterns or only in a sample to a population. Similarly, an analogy concerns drawing a conclusion based on the comparison and similarities between those elements, which should lead to a conclusion likely to be true than false.
On the other hand, researching is an important action to develop different investigations. For this reason, it is essential to know about the author, the publisher, the audience, and if the content is complete and up-to-date. These aspects allow researchers to write more solid arguments, assist critical thinking, and discover the truth with credible information.
To write an argumentative essay, the author should have a deeper understanding of the content, conduct preliminary research with a fair but critical tone for the audience. First, it's necessary to narrow down the topic's focus and organize ideas using techniques such as brainstorming. Then, a clear thesis is established that guides the main argument and structures the content, where the premises must be identified by the readers. It is essential to conclude with a summary that convincingly concludes the argument. Finally, the author should review the text to ensure that they have adequately defended their thesis and premises, and should also consider receiving feedback before preparing the final version.