An argument makes an inference based on evidence. It may or may not use indicator words to separate the premises from the conclusion(s). If there are no indicator words, then the conclusion will be the subject of the passage that states the argument. The subject is found in the topic sentence of the paragraph. Good English style would, then, place the conclusion at the beginning of the paragraph.

Among the argument related topics are:

1.1 Recognizing premises and conclusions.

1.2 Differences between arguments and nonarguments.

1.3 Differences between deduction and induction.

1.4 Relationships among truth values and deductive reasoning.

1.4 Relationships among truth values and inductive reasoning.

1.5 Relationships among form, truth value and validity.

1.6 Inference relationships within arguments.

Use the Contents Window to explore the many topics found in Chapter One.