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Hurley 1.2 - Hughes, Chapter 1, Pp. 1 - 12 - Text - Assignments - 1 - Spring '21

This document contains an assignment to identify whether passages are arguments or non-arguments, and if arguments, to identify the conclusion. It includes 20 passages for analysis, with answers identifying each as an argument or non-argument, and if an argument, stating the conclusion. The passages cover a range of types including conditional statements, explanations, illustrations, reports and more.

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Hammad Tauqeer
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414 views

Hurley 1.2 - Hughes, Chapter 1, Pp. 1 - 12 - Text - Assignments - 1 - Spring '21

This document contains an assignment to identify whether passages are arguments or non-arguments, and if arguments, to identify the conclusion. It includes 20 passages for analysis, with answers identifying each as an argument or non-argument, and if an argument, stating the conclusion. The passages cover a range of types including conditional statements, explanations, illustrations, reports and more.

Uploaded by

Hammad Tauqeer
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Hurley 1.2; Hughes, chapter 1, pp.

1 – 12 (text): Assignments

I. Answer “true” or “false” to the following statements:

1. If a passage contains words that commonly serve as premise or conclusion indicators,


like “thus” and “because,” then the passage is an argument. _True____
2. If a passage is an illustration, then it cannot be an argument. _False____
3. Any passage that is expository cannot be considered an argument in some contexts.
____False_
4. If a passage that is claimed to be an argument shows that the premise does not give
actual evidence or true reasons to support the conclusion, then the passage is not really an
argument. __True___
5. In an explanation, as opposed to an argument, the purpose is more to clarify or
elaborate on a point or situation rather than to prove the point or situation. _True____
6. Some passages that are viewed as explanations can sometimes be also viewed as
arguments. __True___
7. Once a passage has a premise or conclusion indicator like “thus” or “because,” it is
automatically and argument. _False____
8. In a conditional (if …, then …) statement, the antecedent is claimed to give evidence and
is asserted to be true. _False____
9. A nonargument can sometimes be viewed in more than one way, for example, a report
and a description. __True___
10. A conditional statement that shows reasoning and a tendency to infer something can be
reformed into an argument. _True____

II. State whether each of the following is an argument or a nonargument. If an argument,


state (write) the conclusion. If a nonargument, state why, or what it is.

(Some reasons for nonarguments: warnings; pieces of advice; statements of belief;


statements of opinion; loosely associated statements; reports; expository passages;
illustrations; explanations; conditional statements; narratives; commands;
recommendations; descriptions.)

1. If people are regularly killed by guns, including students at every level of our
educational system, and if our political leaders are really serious about gun violence
and gun control, then there should be stricter laws on the acquisition and use of
guns, especially assault rifles.

Ans. It is a nonargument because it is a conditional statement

2. Some students think that getting high grades, even achieving a 4.0 GPA, is not a big
deal and that just passing a course is good enough. But they are mistaken. High
grades suggest a serious attitude toward study and the ability to succeed. They
build self-confidence and motivation to perform better, even to take chances and
struggle at more difficult tasks – no pain, no gain. They open new doors of
opportunity.
Ans. It is a nonargument because it is a statement of belief

3. He did not live to a ripe old age because of health complications. He suffered from a
congenital (at birth) disease, then developed ongoing asthma, and recently was
diagnosed with cancer.

Ans. It is a nonargument because it is a explanation

4. You really should see your doctor for the serious cold and cough you have.

Ans. It is a nonargument because it is a piece of advice

5. Don’t even try to marry her. She’s a flirt and a free spirit and loves being single and
not tied down.

Ans. It is a nonargument because it is a warning

6. I bet when this crisis is over, people will be relieved, even overjoyed. I am sure they
will come to their senses and understand the importance of avoiding social conflict.
And I guarantee they will find it better to live in peace than to resort to violence to
resolve disagreements and problems.

Ans. It is a nonargument because it is a statement of belief

7. Our solar system consists of several planets. Thus, there are Pluto, Earth, Neptune,
Saturn, and Jupiter, to name some that revolve around the Sun.

Ans. It is a nonargument because it is a illustration


8. Life on this planet will someday come to an end, since life depends on the sun, and
the sun will eventually burn out.

Ans. It is a nonargument because it is an explanation

9. Our culture is filled throughout with sex. It is in our advertisements. It is in our


conversations. It motivates crime as well as numberless romantic relationships. It
draws us into the movie theaters and even into books.

Ans. It is a nonargument because it is an expository passages

10. FBI experts on organized crime are investigating Hell’s Angels and other motorcycle
gangs which, in some parts of the country, now rival the Mafia and big-time crime
groups. The bikers are said to be heavily involved in drug smuggling and gunrunning,
as well as extortion, prostitution, and loan-sharking.

Ans. It is a nonargument because it is a report

11. People are called unstable if any little disturbance is sufficient to alter their behavior
completely. Similarly, the air is said to be when it moves away from its initial position
after being displaced by other atmospheric forces. Unstable people sometimes
disturb others.

Ans. It is a nonargument because it is a conditional statement

12. Judge, as members of the jury, we unanimously agree and forward for your
acceptance that the complainant, Ms. Smith, be awarded $5 million for wrongful
arrest and imprisonment, pain and suffering, defamation of character, and lost
income.

Ans. It is a nonargument because it is a statement of belief

13. Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated. Could you now take out your notebooks
and jot down the points which are of special interest to you. Remember, do not
tell anyone about this meeting, not even your spouses. When everything is
complete, we will make our findings public.
Ans. It is a nonargument because it is a piece of advice
14.The car spun out of control because one of its wheels broke loose.
Ans. It is a nonargument because it is a explanation.

15. I believe I can fly. I believe I can touch the sky. I think about it every night and day.
Spread my wings and fly away. I believe I can soar. I see me running through
that door. I believe I can fly.
Ans. It is a nonargument because it is a loosely associated statements

16. Married people are healthier and more economically stable than single people, and
children of married people do better on a variety of indicators. Then, there ought
to be some way of spreading the principal support for marriage throughout the tax
code.
Ans. This is a argument. The conclusion is as follows:
There ought to be some way of spreading the principal support for marriage
throughout the tax code

17. When you’re smiling, when you’re smiling, the whole world smiles with you. And
when you’re laughing, oh, when you’re laughing, the sun comes shining through. But when
you’re crying, you bring on the rain. So stop your sighing; be happy again. Keep on
smiling, ‘cause when you’re smiling, the whole world smiles with you.
Ans. It is a nonargument because it is a loosely associated statements

18. People show love, care, and affection in many ways. Thus, a tender smile, a
shoulder to cry and lean on, a sympathetic ear, a gift of one little rose, breakfast in bed,
assistance, or a favor at no charge is just one of the ways we light up and
brighten the world of others, showing that we love and care about them.
Ans. It is a nonargument because it is a illustration

19. This is a beautiful house, a remodeled brick-front townhome with a backing to trees.
Freshly painted, it includes a new kitchen with granite countertops, new floor,
and new redesigned, modern bathrooms. It is also in a great, convenient location.
Ans. It is a nonargument because it is a expository passage.
20. She heard the intruder downstairs. She quickly locked her bedroom door and dialed
911. She then turned on her barking-dog alarm and hid in the closet with her
pepper spray and stun gun. Approaching to go upstairs, the intruder heard
the barking sound and turned to flee. But the police arrived just in time to make the
arrest.
Ans. It is a nonargument because it is a report

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