Unit 1

Useful Items

Unit 1: Arguments and Language

Lesson 1.1: Arguments and Their Parts

Objectives

  • Distinguish the conclusion from the premises of an argument.
  • Distinguish non-argumentative material that occurs within the context of an argument.

Related Videos

  1. Arguments, Premises and Conclusions, Part I
  2. Arguments, Premises and Conclusions, Part II
  3. Arguments, Premises and Conclusions, Part III

Required Exercises

  1. Exercise 1.1 Part I
Exercises Due: See Schedule

Lesson 1.2: Arguments vs. Non-Arguments

Objectives:

  • Classify passages as arguments, conditional statements, explanations, examples (illustrations), or expository passages.

Related Videos

  1. Lesson 1.2 A Conditionals
  2. Lesson 1.2 B Explanations
  3. Lesson 1.2 C Examples and Other

Required Exercises

  1. Exercise 1.2 Part I
Exercises Due: See Schedule

Lesson 1.3: Deduction vs. Induction

In this lesson we will make a distinction between two kinds of reasoning, deduction and induction. Before getting into the lesson, consider the following. In a well known story, Sherlock Holmes, upon meeting John Watson for the first time in his life, correctly predicted that Watson had just returned from military service in Afghanistan. When asked how he knew this, Holmes answered that he "deduced" it from the fact that Watson was very tan on one side of his face, which was typical of British soldiers in Afghanistan because of the hats they customarily wore, which protected one side of the face from the sun.

Question: You've probably heard the name Sherlock Holmes being associated with "deduction." Did Holmes use the word "deduced" correctly, as understood in this lesson? Complete the activities below and you should be able to answer with confidence.

Objectives:

  • Classify arguments as deductive or inductive.

Related Videos

  1. Deduction vs. Induction, Part I
  2. Deduction vs. Induction, Part II

Required Exercises

  1. Exercise 1.3 Part I
Exercises Due: See Schedule

Lesson 2.3: Definitions and Types of Definitions

Objectives:

  • Classify definitions as stipulative, lexical, precising, theoretical, or persuasive.

Related Videos

  1. Lesson 2.3 Types of Definitions

Required Exercises

  1. Exercise 2.3 Part I
Exercises Due: See Schedule

Lesson 2.5: Problems with Definitions

Objectives:

  • Critique definitions in reference to the following problems: too narrow, too broad, both too broad and too narrow, non-literal, circular.

Related Videos

  1. Lesson 2.5 Rules for Definitions

Required Exercises

  1. Exercise 2.5 Part I
Exercises Due: See Schedule

Unit 1 Test

The following is a list of tasks you will be required to perform on the test. There is a sample test from previous semesters available on this website, but bear in mind that the online format will be slightly different.

Topic One: Introduction to Arguments

  • Book sections covered: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3
  • Determine whether a passage is an argument or not.
  • Identify the premises and conclusions within an argumentative passage.
  • Determine whether an argument is inductive or deductive.
  • Determine whether a simple deductive argument is valid or invalid.
  • Determine whether a simple inductive argument is strong or weak.

Topic Two: Uses and Misuses of Language within Arguments

  • Book sections covered: 2.3, 2.5
  • Identify the type of definition given.
  • Choose the correct criticism(s) of a definition from a list of established problems.
Test Date: See Schedule