BUS 290 – Fall 2015 – Section 1
OCA-5_1
Name: ______
First identify the argument structure: the issue, conclusion and reasons / supporting reasons, and ambiguous terms. Using the form on the next page evaluate reason #R1 ONLY. The evaluation should start with the test for truth (acceptable – not acceptable). State what you would need to believe the truth of the claim. After evaluating the truth of the claim, assume it is true and proceed to test for logical strength, relevance and non-circularity. Identify any logical flaws (fallacies) the reason exhibits.
In the last table on the next page, for all reasons identify the type of evidence the reason uses, e.g., personal experience, testimonials, research study, case example, etc. and discuss the strengths and weaknesses. of the evidence.
Passage:
Regular exercise protects people against getting sick during the cold and flu season. According to a recent study of 100 adult volunteers over a three-month period, those who exercised at least five times a week had 43 percent fewer days of illness than those who exercised less than one day a week. Another study at the University of Washington examined 1,000 family practice doctors across the country. The study revealed that two-thirds of those patients between the ages of 20 and 50 who were diagnosed with the flu identified their lifestyle as “sedentary” (exercising less than two times per week).
Issue:
Conclusion:
Reasons / Supporting Reasons (R1 should be the FIRST reason you come across in the passage):
Ambiguous terms (identify and explain – no more than two, if any):
Assumptions should be discussed in the evaluation of the reasons and the discussion of evidence.
Test and evaluate ONLY R1.
R1 / Truth / What would you need to accept this claim (reason) as true?
Logical strength / How does this reason relate to the conclusion? Does it prove the conclusion directly or does it require assumptions to prove the conclusion? How does it prove the conclusion?
Relevance / Are there other reasons that lead to this conclusion? If yes, is this reason more or less important than others? How necessary is this reason for this conclusion? Explain.
Circularity / Is this reason circular or not? Explain.
Fallacy type / Does this reason employ a fallacy? If yes, name or describe it.
Identify the type of evidence for all reasons and then discuss the strengths and weaknesses for all evidence (list as R1, R2, etc.).
Evidence Type:R1:
R2:
Add reason numbers if needed
Evidence Strengths and Weaknesses:
R1:
R2:
Add reason numbers as needed