COMM-04 CH 10: Critical Thinking and Argumentation in Groups

What is the warrant in the following argument? "Because all local taxpayers are entitled to speak at town council meetings, Enrico Marletta should be allowed to speak at tonight's town council meeting; the records show that he's paid his town taxes every year."

All local taxpayers are entitled to speak at town council meetings.

What kind of claim is offered in the following argument? "Atheists know less about religion than people who believe in and belong to a religion."

Fact

What form of evidence is used in the following example of supporting material? "Contrary to what many people believe, the United States did not warn the Japanese before dropping the world's first atomic bomb."

Facts and opinion

Which fallacy of argument is evidence in the following statement? "Yesterday, a black cat crossed my path and then I was diverted at a construction site and had to walk under a ladder. No wonder I fell and broke my toe."

Faulty cause

What is the evidence in the following argument? "Stress causes headaches, and even though I was pretty relaxed when I was out drinking last night, I have a horrific headache right now. I must be under too much stress."

I have a horrific headache right now.

What is the claim in the following argument? "Obese children eat more sugary drinks and high-carb snacks than children who eat healthier foods. Therefore, parents should limit the amount of sugar and carbs their children consume."

Parents should limit the amount of sugar and starch their children eat.

Which word identifies the qualifier in the following argument? "Both of my parents have type 2 diabetes. Given that diabetes tends to run in families, I will probably develop diabetes."

Probably

Research notes that different cultures use evidence differently to support a claim. Which of the following statements illustrates this conclusion?

Some African cultures do not accept eye witness claims as trustworthy.

What form of evidence is used in the following example of supporting material? "According to Census Bureau, the number of U.S. native and foreign-born Asian residents rose 56 percent from the 2000 Census to the 2013."

Statistics

Which component of the basic Toulmin Model of Argument is represented in Part II of the following argument? "I. Juanita is the best candidate for this teaching position. / II. Good teachers are effective communicators. / III. Juanita got an A in the communication course she took."

Warrant

Ellis looks forward to and enjoys a good argument, eagerly takes on the challenge of defending a controversial point of view, and is viewed by members as both persuasive and reasonable. Ellis is an example of a group member who personifies

argumentativeness

Self-awareness, self-regulation, self-confidence, self-control, and empathy are skills that can help group members enhance their ________ and the group's ability to think critically and argue reasonably.

emotional intelligence

Which of the six steps for refuting an argument fill in the blanks in the following sentence? "The six steps for refuting another member's arguments are: listen, state the opposing claim, ________, assess the evidence, ________, and summarize your refutation."

preview your objections; assess the reasoning

Deliberative argumentation is the process of

reasoned and ethical interaction that helps a group achieve its decision-making goal.

Critical thinking is the conscious process of assessing the validity of claims, evidence, and ________ for the purpose of reaching a justified conclusion or decision.

reasoning