Topic 1: Sentences

PHI332 : The Class : Argument ID : Sentences

Topic 1: Sentences

The elements of rational thought are the premise and the conclusion, which together form arguments.

Premises and conclusions are declarative statements, not questions or commands or exclamations. Let me review these grammatical concepts.

The declarative statement is a complete sentence stating a fact, wish, intent, or feeling. It is followed by a period. For example (from pp. 352-3 in text):

Questions

Does a fetus always look like a baby?
Is abortion wrong?

Commands order, request, or direct the creation of facts. The subject is usually "you" and is usually unstated. Commands might be followed by an exclamation point.

Exclamations do not state but express feelings. Exclamations should be followed by an exclamation point.

To complete this topic successfully, do as many of the following exercises as you find necessary to acquire the relevant skill. You have acquired the relevant skill when your answers to exercises are reliably either the same as the given answers or are alternative answers you can explain and defend:

ASSIGNMENT 1: Exercise 2.1.1

ASSIGNMENT 2: Exercise 2.1.2

ASSIGNMENT 2: Exercise 2.1.3

ASSIGNMENT 4: Exercise 2.1.4

Once you have completed this module you should:

Go on to Topic 2: Premises Indicators
or
Go back to Argument ID

E-mail George Rudebusch at George.Rudebusch@nau.edu
or call (520) 523-7091