Key Terms in Argumentation and Critical Thinking

Argument

A claim or thesis that conveys a perspective developed through a line of reasoning and supported by evidence.

Bias

A personal opinion, belief, or value that may influence one's judgment, perspective, or claim.

Claim

A statement made about an issue that asserts a perspective.

Commentary

Discussion and analysis of evidence in relation to the claim, which may identify patterns, describe trends, and/or explain relationships.

Conclusion

Understanding resulting from analysis of evidence.

Context

The intent, audience, purpose, bias, situatedness, and/or background (larger environment) of a source or reference.

Conventions

The stylistic features of writing (e.g., grammar, usage, mechanics).

Counterargument

An opposing perspective, idea, or theory supported by evidence.

Credibility

The degree to which a source is believable and trustworthy.

Deductive Reasoning

A type of reasoning that applies a general principle to a special case. Example: All raccoons are omnivores. This animal is a raccoon. Therefore, this raccoon is an omnivore.

Ethos

Appeal of the speaker or writer to their own credibility.

Evidence

Information (e.g., data, quotations, excerpts from text) used as proof to support a claim or thesis.

Fallacy

Evidence or reasoning that is false or in error.

Implication

A possible future effect or result.

Inductive Reasoning

A type of reasoning that builds a general principle from specific cases. Example: You get swollen lips from strawberries three times and learn that swollen lips are a sign of an allergy; therefore, you conclude that you are allergic to strawberries.

Inquiry

A process for seeking truth, information, or knowledge through study, research, investigation, or artistic work.

Issue

An important problem for debate or discussion.

Lens

A filter through which an issue or topic is considered or examined.

Limitation

A boundary or point at which an argument or generalization is no longer valid.

Line of Reasoning

Arrangement of claims and evidence that leads to a conclusion.

Logos

Appeal to logic.

Pathos

Appeal to emotion.

Perspective

A point of view conveyed through an argument.

Plagiarism

Failure to acknowledge, attribute, and/or cite any ideas or evidence taken from another source.

Point of View

A position or standpoint on a topic or issue.

Primary Source

An original source of information about a topic (e.g., study, artifact, data set, interview, article).

Qualitative Data

Data dealing with text, narrative, or descriptions.

Quantitative Data

Data dealing with numbers, amounts, or quantities.

Rebuttal

Contradicting an opposing perspective by providing alternative, more convincing evidence.

Reliability

The extent to which something is accurate.

Resolution

An understanding about an issue that could lead to new solutions or help mitigate its consequences.

Secondary Source

A commentary about one or more primary sources that provides additional insight, opinions, and/or interpretation.

Solution

An action-based set of ideas, founded upon evidence, that could help solve the problem.

Thesis

A claim or position on an issue or topic, supported by evidence.

Validity

The extent to which an argument or claim is logical.