Study Guide for AICE Thinking Skills Paper 2

Conclusion- What the author is trying to persuade the reader/listener to do or believe

Premise- reasons, evidence, known facts, suggestions, opinions, forecasts, beliefs, why the recipient should accept the conclusion

• Can act separately or together with the conclusion
• Separate reasons strengthen arguments (lookout for the word and)

An argument- There has to be a proponent (someone who is making the argument) that gives premise(s) (reasons, evidence, known facts, suggestions, opinions, forecasts, beliefs) that support the conclusion

• If the premises are true then the conclusion is true.
• No conclusion/persuasive statement means NO ARGUMENT
• Arguments can be in any order

• Premise therefore conclusion
• Conclusion because premise

• Example: It’s sunny outside, so we should do the washing now and put it outside.
                                  

                Argument indicator - ‘so’ ‘therefore’, ‘ergo’, ‘thus’, ‘for this reason’, ‘because’
                                                        - links the premise and the conclusion

• This argument is valid if it is true that sunny weather causes washing to be dry.

• Possible challenge/question the validity: It’s the temperature and wind strength that’ll mean it will dry quickly not how sunny it is. Ex: if it’s sunny and cold the clothes will not dry fast.

• An argument is sound (cogent) if the premise is actually true.

• It’s not that sunny - it’s overcast.

• An argument is reasoned (sound) if it is clear and carefully considered.
• Something is not an argument if it does not include a (persuasive) conclusion.

Identifying Argument Practice Problems LINK

Argument and Identifying Main Conclusion Practice

Unstated Assumption Lesson and Practice Questions

Analysing argument

You should not feed the squirrels.

Squirrels are vermin.

Vermin spread disease.

• Determine the premises and the conclusion and rewrite it in standard form

Squirrels are vermin. (premise 1 - sound)

Vermin spread disease. (premise 2 - lacks soundness)
You should not feed the squirrels.(conclusion - invalid)

Credibility- reliable, plausible and consistent.

R.A.V.E.N.

Reputation: Does the source have a reputation for reliability? Consider the difference between these two publications, New York Post and the New York Times.

Ability to see/hear: People sometimes claim more than they reasonably have seen or heard. Could the source see what it claims happened? Are they an eye witness?

Vested interests: Does the source have a reason to be biased or an opportunity to gain something from the claim?

Expertise: Does the source have relevant expertise or experience to support the claims. For example, a soil scientist providing information on the benefits of tilling topsoil.

Neutrality: A neutral outlook is present. The source doesn’t have anything to gain from the claim.

Plausibility - must be evaluated based on existing knowledge accessible to the person passing judgment,irrespective of the reliability of the source. Is it ‘too good to be true’?

Corroboration and Consistency: Evidence presented from more than one source which agree in their evidence are said to corroborate with one another and therefore show a consistent approach to the evidence.

• Example: Scientific experiments usually aim to corroborate data

Argument Elements:  – main conclusion – intermediate conclusion – reason – counter-assertion – counter-argument – example – evidence.

Words to use when you can:

Quizlet of all words LINK

• Evidence
• Bias
• Vested interest
• Motive
• Argument (include if it contains a conclusion)
• Plausible

AICE Command words and meaning:

• Explain- set out purposes or reasons / make the relationships between things clear / say why and/or how and support with relevant evidence
• State- express in clear terms
• Suggest- apply knowledge and understanding to situations where there are a range of valid responses to make proposals/put forward considerations
• To what extent- explaining how much you agree with the idea being posed/asking if you agree or disagree with the idea

Sample Grading Rubric for 8 mark questions (Question 2)

Question #2 Graphic Organizer (Take the time to organize before you write)

Sample Grading Rubric for 8 mark questions (Question 5)

 Do not repeat information from the passage, this is YOUR OWN argument!

Question #5 Graphic Organizer (Take the time to organize before you write)

Other Helpful Resources

1. Segment One Exam Review Videos and Slides
2. Practice Questions and answers: https://www.sussex.ac.uk/skills-hub/critical-thinking#main
3. Arguments and Inference
   https://www.philosophypages.com/lg/e01.htm 
4. Practice Questions (You can create a free account to practice answering the questions):

• Critical and analytical thinking https://www.open.edu/openlearn/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=51387
• Critical reading and writing https://www.open.edu/openlearn/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=51388
• Applying critical thinking skills
  https://www.open.edu/openlearn/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=64740

5. Youtube playlists: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC0oLFMWzF-cWINQ-kChp1cr8-bQ5ppkU
6. Glossary of Key Terms 
7. AICE Forum 3 Teacher Notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zj9oLnAeVgxYuMrcsQ_eOOItZUVH8ZyBlQA2Y0zmaXc/copy 
8. Syllabus