Scribd
Upload
49 views16 pages

Module 5 Analysis and Argumentation

This document provides an overview of analysis, argumentation, and critical reading skills. It discusses analyzing texts by identifying parts, context, and how they work together. Argumentation requires communicating an issue, evidence, and logical reasoning to support a position. Critical reading means analyzing a text's central claims, context, and evaluating evidence and reasoning. Logical fallacies represent errors in reasoning that undermine arguments. Different disciplines require writing styles suited to their fields, such as asking historical questions or clearly stating scientific findings.

Uploaded by

Nancy Hao
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
49 views16 pages

Module 5 Analysis and Argumentation

This document provides an overview of analysis, argumentation, and critical reading skills. It discusses analyzing texts by identifying parts, context, and how they work together. Argumentation requires communicating an issue, evidence, and logical reasoning to support a position. Critical reading means analyzing a text's central claims, context, and evaluating evidence and reasoning. Logical fallacies represent errors in reasoning that undermine arguments. Different disciplines require writing styles suited to their fields, such as asking historical questions or clearly stating scientific findings.

Uploaded by

Nancy Hao
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 16

Professional English

Language Skills (PELS)

Module 5: Analysis and


Argumentation –
Make Your Point
Overview

• What is analysis?

• What is argumentation?

• How do analysis and argumentation appear in different


disciplines?
Analysis: Critical Reading
Critical reading means analyzing a
Analyze means to observe and explain text to:
how the parts of a whole work
separately and together.
• identify the central claims, purpose or
thesis and supporting points
• determine the context (e.g.,
audience, date, publisher, etc.)
Analyzing a text means identifying the • specify concepts, theories, and types
parts of a text, what each part does,
of reasoning
and how the parts work together. • evaluate the evidence in relation to
the conceptual framework and
methodology
• make judgements about the thesis
Analyzing a text means asking how is a and supporting points in relation to
text organized (e.g., main sections,
the context, evidence, conceptual
framework and methodology
themes, concepts, points, etc.).
Context, Reasoning, and Evidence

CONTEXT: OBJECTIVITY, REASONING: DEDUCTIVE EVIDENCE: FACT &


TRANSPARENCY & BIAS & INDUCTIVE OPINION
Context: Objectivity, Transparency & Bias
Background Information Bias in language Evaluating sources

• Explanation of how the • Connotation: reference to • Current, Relevant,


knowledge is produced beliefs and feelings Authority, Accuracy,
• Transparency about (interpretations) Purpose (CRAAP)
what is missing or • Denotation: definitions • Evaluating Information
omitted and empirical description – Applying the CRAAP
• Objectivity defined as (facts) Test, Meriam Library,
situated (time, place, • Ethos (character/authority) California State
perspective/standpoint) • Pathos (emotion) University, Chico
• Peer-review evaluation • Logos (reason/logic)
and scholarly debate
Reasoning: Deductive & Inductive

Deductive reasoning: General Conclusion > Specific Examples


▪ COVID-19 cases are higher in Brampton because health care services in Peel Region are underfunded
with only $1,000 per capita funding compared to $1,800 elsewhere in Ontario (Nasser, 2020).

Inductive reasoning: Specific Examples > Probable Conclusion


▪ Brampton's population is 73% visible minorities, so Mayor Patrick Brown concluded that
multigenerational housing, the trucking industry, proximity to Pearson Airport, and travelers from
South Asia are factors in the high number of COVID-19 cases (Nasser, 2020).
▪ Brampton's population is 73% visible minorities, so public health advocates fear that people of colour,
South Asian, and people living in multigenerational homes will be blamed for the high number of
COVID-19 cases instead of addressing healthcare funding issues and appropriate public health
strategies (Nasser, 2020).

Source: Nasser, Shanifa. (2020, September 14). Brampton has emerged as one of Ontario's COVID-19 hotspots, but experts urge caution on
where to lay blame. CBC News. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/brampton-coronavirus-covid19-south-asian-1.5723330
Evidence: Fact & Opinion
Facts are observations that can be proven (e.g. peer-reviewed empirical research using the scientific
method)

Opinions are interpretations of facts (e.g., beliefs and judgements)

Statistics, numbers, and documented/verified events are facts, but how they are interpreted is opinion

An opinion can be debated and judged as right (reasonable) or wrong (unreasonable)

Opinion signal phrases: “In my opinion,” “I think/believe,” “I recommend,” and “It is likely that”
What is an argument?

Argument means to clarify or prove.

An argument must communicate the following:


• Issue: Problem or question to solve
• Evidence: Support for arguments (CRAAP Test)
• Reasoning: Logical progression of ideas and explanation of concepts and context

A statement of fact is not an argument:


▪ Packaged food marketed to children has a high sugar content (statement/not an argument)
▪ Packaged food marketed to children should warn consumers about high sugar content
because high sugar consumption is correlated with disease (argument/debateable)
Argumentation:
Types of Support:
• Facts (numbers, statistics, documented/verified events)
• Reasons (opinion, logic, conclusion)
• Examples (facts, cases, documentation, archives, etc.)
• Testimony (eye-witnesses and specialists/experts)
• Counterarguments (dissecting and disproving opposing arguments)

Questions to ask:
What is the issue? What is the author’s thesis and point of view? What are the
supporting points? What type of support is offered? Is the evidence indisputable or
disputable? If the evidence is disputable, is it reliable?
Logical Fallacy
• To detect errors of logic in texts, and to avoid making errors of logic in
your own writing, it helps to understand what a logical fallacy is.

• According to Richard Nordquist (2020), “A logical fallacy is an error in


reasoning that renders an argument invalid.”

• Sometimes writers use a logical fallacy by mistake, and sometimes


logical fallacies are used to deceive the audience – that is, to
persuade the reader without providing valid reasons and support.
Common Logical Fallacies

Nordquist, Richard. "What is a Logical Fallacy?“


Example: Trump and Biden Presidential Debate
More Logical Fallacies

https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/
Writing a Critique
To write a critique and communicate your own position, ask and answer:
▪ What have you learned from your analysis and critical reading (e.g., notes
paraphrases, summaries, quotes)?
▪ What do you want to know about the topic or text you are investigating?
▪ What is your research question?
▪ What is your response (position or answer) to your research question?
▪ What patterns of organization and logic will you use to argue your thesis?
▪ What types of support (example/evidence) will you provide to support your
thesis and points?
▪ What approach(es) will you use: ethos, pathos, logos? When and why will you
use them?
Types of Writing Across the Disciplines
• History: Ask a historical question. Respond to what others have said about it. Offer your own
perspective.
• Literature: Examine a text in detail. Explain your analysis. Answer a question about the text by
offering your own ideas.
• Philosophy: Explain the subject or problem by analyzing and evaluating the arguments and
theories used to discuss it. Offer your own explanation and insights.
• Sciences: Clearly state your research question and how you answered it. Clearly state your
findings and thesis. Pursue objectivity through transparency. Match your writing style to your
audience (general/specialist). Use headings to guide your reader and to demonstrate your
methodology and reasoning.

Visit the U of T Writing Advice website: https://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/types-of-writing/


Review

• Analyzing: parts and how they are organized


• Critical reading: analyzing a text (thesis, context, reasoning,
evidence)
• Critical reading is a pathway to critical writing

• Argument means to clarify or prove


• Argument support (facts, reasons, examples, testimony, counter-
arguments)
• Logical fallacies: errors of logic
• Write according to your discipline
References
College Reading and Writing Skills: Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. (2014). Nelson Education, Ltd.
Toronto, pp. 16-34.

Meriam Library, California State University, Chico. (n.d.) Evaluating Information – Applying the CRAAP Test.
https://library.csuchico.edu/sites/default/files/craap-test.pdf

Knott, Deborah. (n.d.). Critical Reading Towards Critical Writing. University of Toronto Writing Advice.
https://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/researching/critical-reading/

Nasser, Shanifa. (2020, September 14). Brampton has emerged as one of Ontario's COVID-19 hotspots, but experts urge caution on
where to lay blame. CBC News. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/brampton-coronavirus-covid19-south-asian-1.5723330

Nordquist, Richard. (2020, August 27). What is a Logical Fallacy? ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-logical-fallacy-
1691259

School of Thought. (n.d.). Thou Shalt Not Commit Logical Fallacies https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/

University of Toronto. (n.d.). Specific Types of Writing. University of Toronto Writing Advice. https://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/types-
of-writing/

You might also like