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Making a claim, an assertion, an opinion, or a point is not the same as making an argument. To qualify as an argument, reasons must accompany the claim.

Because people often associate strong feelings with their opinions, they will resort to BACKWARD REASONING. They will hunt for reasons to support their strong opinions such that their conclusions determine which reasons they consider.

To detect reasoning, add the word because, and then fill in the stated reason(s). Then ask, Does that make sense and, if so, how? If it doesnt, recognize that an error has been made and efforts can be made to correct it. This exercise is effective in constructing a single coherent reason from a set of sentences communicating a single reason.

Another useful strategy to detect reasoning is role-playing as the writer: to try to state in your own words what reasons you would give to defend your position if, for example, you were to appear as a guest in a talk show. This helps you overcome the tendency to adhere too much to the exact wording of the argument.

Constructing a communicators reasoning structure is not the same as constructing a typical outline. Such outlines usually simply follow the order of presentation of a communication, regardless of the reasoning structure intended by the communicator. Outlining topics that a communicator has expressed is not the same as summarizing the reasoning structure.

You will sometimes reject judging an idea as a reason because you think it is a BAD reason! Yes, some reasons are much better than other ones, but at this early stage of the critical thinking process, you should list as a reason any idea that you believe the communicator intends to serve as a reasongood or bad. You can stress: First, we list the communicators reasons, then we will evaluate them. An important part of evaluating arguments will be applying the questions in the upcoming chapters of ARQ to decide which reasons should be taken most seriously.

Select one (1) of the following and write/post one paragraph (4-7 sentences):

• How does the term argument in ARQ differ from having an argument with an acquaintance?
• Consider the arguments that you have recently made. What KINDS of reasons did you use? Do you think some kinds of reasons are better than others? Why?
• Can facts be reasons? How so?
• Explain the difference between a REASON and REASONING.
• ARQ stresses the desirability of being open to fresh reasons. What are some steps that you can take to achieve such openness on a topic for which you already have a strong opinion?