ct5a analysing and evaluating reasoning

1. CT5aAnalysing and evaluating reasoning Analysing the structure of longer arguments. First find the conclusion (most important) then the reasons The conclusion is usually at the end or beginning of a passage but could be anywhere within as well In the exam the question may direct you to find a reason in a specified paragraph. Make sure you are searching for a reason in the right place. In the exam, questions are likely to instruct you to �identify the reason�. Identify simply means: Find it and write it out PRECISELY as it is presented in the passage

2. CT5bAnalysing and evaluating reasoning Distinguishing between reasons & evidence & examples In shorthand notation Evidence is Ev & Example as Ex. Learn how to separate the Ev & Ex from the reasons it supports as already stated. Evaluating how well reasons support conclusions Evaluating is different from analysing as it asks. �Do the reasons support the conclusion?� and �How well does this argument work?� In evaluation we ask ourselves: 1/ Is the reason relevant to the conclusion? 2/ If so, does it make a difference to the conclusion? 3/ Would other unstated evidence make a difference?

3. CT5cAnalysing and evaluating reasoning You cannot gain marks just be writing, �The evidence may not be true.� You need to focus on the three Rs � whether the evidence is: RELEVANT, REPRESENTATIVE & RELIABLE Are the findings of any research ambiguous? Could the evidence be interpreted differently?

4. CT5dAnalysing and evaluating reasoning Identifying hypothetical reasoning (HR) and counter- argument or assertion/claim (CA) in longer arguments: If the �If� can be followed by a �then�, then H.R. is present Some argument indicators lead into the writer�s viewpoint, some lead into a C.A. that is being dismissed. When looking at a long passage, break it down and look for the missing steps. Keep asking yourself if there is anything else you have to agree to between the stated parts of the argument, be PRECISE: work through the text statement by statement, paragraph by paragraph, looking for any missing links.

5. CT5eAnalysing and evaluating reasoning In the exam you may be asked to assess the reasonableness of an assumption you have identified. For example: R1 Using biofuel is a cheap way to run a car R2 It is easy to convert a car engine to run on biofuel Assumption � Biofuel is readily available locally C You should have your car converted to biofuel Here the assumption might be disputed as biofuel is not currently available in as many places as petrol or diesel. Remember assumptions are unstated � If you copy something from the passage, it is not an assumption.

6. CT5fAnalysing and evaluating reasoning Take great care when you identify elements of an argument. Try not to paraphrase, or re-word, what is written in the passage. If you have to re-word, then check what you have written. Concentrate on being PRECISE about small common words; you are more likely to misunderstand or lose marks if you don�t pay attention to words like �some�, �all�, �only�, �always� and �never� than if you don�t know what a long word means.