Argument analysis is the process of breaking down an argument to determine if it is logical and well-supported. This helps you think critically, which is one of the key skills required in university study.
In this section, we will start by learning about the key steps and elements of argument analysis before providing you with an example to test your new knowledge.
The steps of argument analysis
Here are the key steps to help you break down and assess an argument effectively.
Step one: What is the argument?
An argument is the position or claim that the writer is putting forward. An argument can be recognised via:
language
evidence
text comparisons.
An argument will assume an audience's awareness of the topic and also consider their assumptions, prior knowledge and interest.
Bias can be recognised via language, sentence structure, evidence used for supporting claims (including quality of evidence), lack of evidence for refuting claims, repetition of themes and language.
It is also important to examine your own biases. When all you can think about is your own perspective on an argument, you blind yourself to the actual argument before you. Therefore, it can be useful to identify your own feelings on the topics and be aware of them. Also, remember to keep an open mind while you read.
Step three: Who is the audience? Who is the writer?
The audience is the assumed readership that the author wants to persuade or influence. Think about who the writer is writing for, and why they are writing to that audience. Is their intention to persuade, inform or entertain them?
Some texts provide useful information about the author, such as their level of expertise, profession, or affiliations. If this information is not provided then a search for their name can often turn up the results you need. Knowing the writer's profession or affiliations can help us understand their motives, and knowing their level of expertise can inform us about whether or not we should take their view seriously.
Step four: How does the author influence the audience?
Selected vocabulary (which could include colloquial or slang words), language techniques and sentence construction are used to appeal to a particular audience. Arguments are carefully considered to ensure they are convincing to the target audience.
Step five: Critically analyse by identifying claims, evidence and assumptions
Critical analysis starts with these questions:
What is the overall claim of the author?
Is the claim backed up by credible evidence?
Is the claim based on assumptions?
Step six: What is the evidence?
Evidence includes information or data from elsewhere to support the claims the writer makes, or refute the claims made by others. Evidence can be judged for quality by the credibility of its origin. Evidence needs to come from a source that has authority and is up-to-date and objective.
Is the evidence credible?
Credible evidence comes from a source that the reader can believe is factual and valid. The key things to look for are:
Author: Who does the author work for or write for? What other publications have they been involved in? What is their area and level of expertise in the topic
Date: Is the information current given the topic?
Source: Is the publication source well known or respected in the industry? Peer reviewed? Relevant to the topic?
