Week 2 Knowledge CheckResults

Concepts Mastery Quest ions

Components of an Argument - Cla ims 0% 1 2

Types of Argument 67% 3 4 6

Components of an Argument 100% 5 7

Differences Between Inductive and Deductive Arguments

100% 8 9 1 0 1 1

Concept: Components of an Argument - Claims

Concepts Mastery Quest ions

Components of an Argument - Cla ims 0% 1 2

1.When evaluating an argument with unstated premises, which of the following is the most appropriate tactic?

A. Find a claim that would make the argument invalid or weak and evaluate the argument as if this claim had been included.

B. Dont add anything. If the arguer had wanted a claim to be included, he or she would have included it . Evaluate the argument as i t s tands .

C. Find a claim that would make the argument valid or strong and evaluate the argument as if this claim had been included.

Score: 8 / 1 1

2.All of the following are reasons that you should include claims that contradict the conclusion when diagramming an argument EXCEPT:

A. It shows that you have considered other sides of the issue and found them want ing.

B. To confuse your audience

C. To bring up an objection, and then give reasons for rejecting i t , is more powerful argumentation than to ignore possible object ions to your argument.

D. Including counterclaims in your argument helps make you look more credible.

Concept: Types of Argument

Concepts Mastery Quest ions

Types of Argument 67% 3 4 6

3.In most general terms, what do we call an argument if it gives grounds for accepting the conclusion?

A. Weak

B. Good

C. Invalid

IncorrectWhen you approach an argument without an obvious claim, the best approach is to give the best read. It is important to find the best claim to make the argument work.

IncorrectWhen diagramming an argument, al l claims must be included. Without claims, the argument lacks a clear foundation and leads to confusion.

D. Strong

4.What word is used to classify an argument if it is valid and all of its premises are true?

A. Weak

B. Sound

C. Invalid

D. Strong

6.An argument with true premises that provides absolute proof of the truth of the conclusion would be called what?

A. A weak argument

B. A good argument

C. An invalid argument

D. A s t rong argument

E. A valid argument

Correct!A good deductive argument is called "valid" and a good inductive argument is called "relatively strong."

IncorrectSoundness is what to str ive for in a deductive argument.

Concept: Components of an Argument

Concepts Mastery Quest ions

Components of an Argument 100% 5 7

5.Which of the following words is a good example of a premise indicator?

A. Since

B. Therefore

C. For

D. Because

7.Which of the following words is a good example of a conclusion indicator?

A. Since

B. Therefore

C. For

Correct!Validity has to do with the structure, or "shape," of the argument. Truth has to do with what the argument is about. Even if every premise in the content of the argument were true, they wouldn' t support the conclusion if they weren' t in the right structure. For example, "All cats are mammals. All cats meow. Therefore, all mammals meow." is not a valid construction, so even though the premises are t rue, they do not support the conclusion. An argument has to be both valid and have all t rue premises to provide absolute proof of the conclusion. It must be "sound."

Correct!"Since" points to the claim or claims given as reasons for accepting the conclusion.

D. Because

Concept: Differences Between Inductive and Deductive Arguments

Concepts Mastery Quest ions

Differences Between Inductive and Deductive Arguments

100% 8 9 1 0 1 1

8.In most general terms, what word do we use for a deductive argument whose premises, while true, do not necessarily prove its conclusion?

A. Weak

B. Good

C. Invalid

D. Strong

9.Which of the following types of arguments are evaluated using the terms valid and invalid?

A. Inductive

B. Deductive

C. Rhetorical

Correct!"Therefore" points to the claim the argument was constructed to prove.

Correct!There are only two places to check an argument: the form and the content. If the content has al l t rue premises, then the form, or shape, of the argument must not be a valid one. If the form is valid, then at least one of the premises must be false for i t to be possible to yield a false conclusion.

10.Which of the following types of arguments are not intended to be valid, and are evaluated using the terms relatively strong and relatively weak?

A. Deductive

B. Inductive

C. Rhetorical

11.Which of the following types of arguments are evaluated using the terms sound and unsound?

A. Inductive

B. Deductive

C. Rhetorical

Correct!Validity pertains to the structure, or "shape," of the argument.

Correct!Some inductive arguments are stronger than others. The stronger i t is , the more probable the conclusion is.

Correct!Soundness pertains to the content of the valid argument, what i t is abou t .