The Language of Argument

4 5

Arguments in Standard Form

Indicate which of the following italicized words or phrases is a reason marker,

a conclusion marker, or neither.

1. He apologized, so you should forgive him.


2. He apologized. Accordingly, you should forgive him.


3. Since he apologized, you should forgive him.


4. Provided that he apologized, you should forgive him.


5. In view of the fact that he apologized, you should forgive him.


6. He apologized. Ergo, you should forgive him.


7. Given that he apologized, you should forgive him.


8. He apologized, and because of that you should forgive him.


9. After he apologizes, you should forgive him.


10. He apologized. As a result, you should forgive him.


11. Seeing as he apologized, you should forgive him.


12. He apologized. For that reason alone, you should forgive him.

Exercise I

Indicate whether each of the following sentences is an argument.

1. Charles went bald, and most men go bald.


2. Charles went bald because most men go bald.


3. My roommate likes to ski, so I do, too.


4. My roommate likes to ski, and so do I.


5. I have been busy since Tuesday.


6. I am busy, since my teacher assigned lots of homework.

Exercise II

ARGUMENTS IN STANDARD FORM

Because arguments come in all shapes and forms, it will help to have a

standard way of presenting arguments. For centuries, logicians have used a

format of the following kind:

(1) All men are mortal.

(2) Socrates is a man.

∴ (3) Socrates is mortal. (from 1–2)

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