THEA Objective 5

Critical Reasoning

5 Types of Questions

1. Author’s Logic

2. Fact and Opinion

3. Author’s Assumptions

4. Author’s Argument

5. Author’s Credibility

1. Logic

Ex. Using the author’s logic, what will happen to asthma patients when they exercise for 15 minutes?

Think like the author and use information from the passage

2. Fact and Opinion

Ex. Which statement expresses an opinion rather than a fact?

Fact Opinion

Ask yourself: Can this statement be proven?

•Numbers•Dates•Statistics•Percentages

•“according to the study…”

• words like: too, should, beautiful, respect,disgusting,interesting…

• statements about the future

•Statements that not everyone would agree with

1. The tarantula spider can live for as long as two years without food.

2. The first President to have been born in a hospital is Jimmy Carter.

3. The best-looking of all American Presidents was John F. Kennedy.

4. Cigarette advertising was banned on TV on January 1, 1971.

5. Congress should pass a law making cigarettes illegal.

6. Couples should know each other for at least a year before getting married.

7. For various reasons, some spouses take separate vacations.

8. In point of fact, it is always better for spouses to vacation together.

9. Boxing, an overly violent sport, should finally be outlawed.

10.Boxer James J. (“Gentleman Jim”) Corbett never had a bloody nose or a black eye during his eighteen-year boxing career.

Author’s Argument

Ex. Which of the following statements supports the writer’s contention that dogs are better than cats?*

*Also in THEA objective 2 and 3

Which of the following details best supports the authors' point that children can be helped to overcome fears?

A.Fear of strangers usually ends when a child develops a more inclusive schema of faces and people.

B.Children should never be forced to confront a feared situation before they are ready to do so.

C.A child can sometimes be reassured after a caregiver has encouraged the child to explain the fear.

D.Many of children's fears are well-grounded and reasonable. 

Assumptions

Ex. The argument the author presents is based on which of the following assumptions?

• Assumption…something believed to be true without any proof.

• Step One: What is the author’s argument? (same as Main Idea)

• Step 2: What does the author assume when stating his/her argument?

Which of the following assumptions most influenced the views expressed by the writer in this selection?

A.Nations that profess a belief in the rule of law should ensure that all laws are observed.

B.Social injustice can be eliminated most effectively through amendments to the Constitution.

C.As a rule, people must be forcibly compelled to respect the rights of others.

D.Without forceful leaders, social movements are unlikely to gain broad support.

 

Author’s Credibility (Evidence or Support)

Ex: The writer supports his argument by presenting which types of support?

Types of support:

• Statistics

•Research

•Facts

•Testimony

•Experience

•Opinions

Which is most reliable? How does it influence the author’s credibility?

1Forty-six out of ninety-three bottles of various brands of water tested in a major study had detectable levels of potentially harmful chemicals. 2The levels didn’t exceed Environmental Protection Agency limits—but, then, neither do those of tap water from urban areas with municipal water-treatment plants. 3Indeed, it was found that most tap water can be as pure as—or purer than—some bottled waters. 4And many taste just as good too. 5It was also noted that tap water has as many “healthy” minerals as bottled water. 6“The minerals in tap and bottled water are comparable, and vary only slightly,” noted one dietician involved in the study. 7Obviously, tap water can be as healthy or healthier than bottled water.

___ Which sentence expresses the point of the argument?

A. Sentence 1

B. Sentence 2

C. Sentence 5

D. Sentence 7

___ Which sentence is not relevant support for the point of the argument?

A. Sentence 2

B. Sentence 3

C. Sentence 4

D. Sentence 6

What 3 statements provide relevant support for the following argument?

Argument: Selling cigarettes ought to be against the law. A. Cigarette smoking kills many more people than all illegal drugs combined. B. Today, tobacco growing is actually supported by government subsidies. C. Alcohol is another legal drug that kills numerous Americans every year. D. Nonsmokers are endangered by breathing the smoke from others’ cigarettes. E. Tobacco is one of the most addictive of all drugs.

Argument: Taking good care of a pet is healthy for the pet owner.

A. Before-and-after studies have shown that petting an animal causes a decrease in many people’s blood pressure.

B. Owning a dog that needs a daily walk can encourage a senior citizen to get some much-needed exercise.

C. Most people can easily afford the expense of pet food and veterinary care.

D. In 1988, over 37 percent of American households owned at least one dog.

E. The American Heart Association has said that pet owners are more likely to survive during the first year after a heart attack than people who don’t own pets.

F. In addition to cats and dogs, people have fish, birds, snakes, pigs, and even insects for pets

What 3 statements provide relevant support for the following argument?

Getting rid of the eyesores in a neighborhood does more than simply beautify; it can improve the economic and social life of an area. 2Not long ago, a neighborhood in Philadelphia decided to improve its appearance by planting a community garden and installing trash cans. 3As a result, neighbors spent more time together outdoors. 4Thus graffiti writers and more serious offenders were discouraged from frequenting the area. 5The cleaner streets and safer atmosphere also attracted more customers to local businesses. 6Additional police on the streets also keep streets safer.

___ 1. Which sentence does not support the author’s conclusion that getting rid of community eyesores can improve the local economic and social life?

A. Sentence 3

B. Sentence 4

C. Sentence 5

D. Sentence 6

lIndividual and family stress would be lessened and family togetherness increased if household responsibilities were assigned more evenly among family members. 2Often wives who work full-time also do most of the work around the house, which makes their lives more stressful than necessary. 3This stress often causes wives to resent their husbands and children, creating tensions throughout the family. 4America’s husbands have always been too self-centered. 5A more fair distribution of household work would also free wives to spend more relaxing time together with their families. 6If household work was more fairly divided, everyone’s lives would undoubtedly be improved.

___ 8. Which sentence is not relevant to the author’s argument that assigning household responsibilities more evenly would lessen stress and increase togetherness?

A. Sentence 2

B. Sentence 3

C. Sentence 4

D. Sentence 5

Point: The county should require residents to recycle newspapers, cans, and bottles.

A. When the county had a “Clean Up Our Streets” day, everyone pitched in.

B. By selling the materials to be recycled, the county could gain much-needed funds.

C. County residents should be taught to buy products that are not wastefully packaged.

D. Recycling contributes to a stronger environment by making the best use of limited resources.

E. It wouldn’t be difficult for the county to give every home a recycling bin to use. Recycling will help solve the problem of limited space in landfills.

What 3 statements provide relevant support for the following argument?