Download Soran University / Faculty of Sciences –Chemistry Department

Soran University / Faculty of Sciences –Chemistry Department
Taught Course: Critical and scientific debate
Topic: Sample of argument(Reading between lines
Lecturer: Talib M. Omer
Date: Feb 10, 2016
Outlines:
Reading between the lines and taking notes: First: to evaluate
when an argument is likely based on the premises.
Passage 1:
Identify the main argument and reasons support the argument.
It is important that pregnant women and those with poor immune systems became aware of
the potential risks posed by cats. Many of us keep cats as house pet without realizing the
dangers the may be harbouring. Cats are hosts to infectious toxoplasma Gondii , a protozoa
and the cats that causes disease toxoplasmosis , in mammals such as humans. The protozoa
is crescent-shaped in and common in nature. But infectious relies on cats as host bodies.
Adult humans rarely show signs of significant disease if it became infected. However, if
pregnant women become infected, the foetus can become infected by parasites and suffer
serious congenital damage.
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The main argument:
pregnant women and those with poor immune systems became aware of the
potential risks posed by cats.
Reason supports the augment:
1- Cats are hosts to infectious toxoplasma Gondii , a protozoa that causes disease
toxoplasmosis.
2- Protozoa and the cats that causes disease toxoplasmosis.
3- If pregnant women become infected, the foetus can become infected by parasites
and suffer serious congenital damage.
Conclusion:
It is important that pregnant women and those with poor immune systems became
aware of the potential risks posed by cats.
Passage 2:
Many adults learn to read later in life. Although Andy and Fred found it difficult to read
as children as adult they caught up with their peers. They enjoy attending local literacy
classes. Almost a million of people have improved their literacy skill through adult
classes in recent years.

 Is that an argument? If yes, what is the argument? What is the conclusion, what
is the supporting reason?
Yes, it is an argument.

The conclusion: Many adults learn to read later in life.

Supporting reasons:
Although Andy and Fred found it difficult to read as children as adult they caught up
with their peers.
Passage 3:
Identify the main argument, reasons and conclusion for the following passage.
There are only 60 species of monocotyledons, more usually known as sea grass. None
the less, sea grass makes important contributions to the costal ecosystems of every
continent except Antarctica. This wasn’t discovered until the of the twentieth centuries
.In a shallow waters such as estuaries and bays, sea grass indeed the most dominant
form of vegetable supporting a host of marine life.
Main argument: sea grasses are important.
Support reasons:
1-In shallow water sea grasses are dominant
2- They support of a host marine life.
What is assumption?
Assumption refers anything that is taken in the presentation of argument. This may be
fact, ideas that are not sated explicitly. For example, Holidays, are a time for relaxation
and enjoyment. This year thousands of people will have their holiday ruined by oil spills
along our beaches.
References:
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Richey, P.(2008) Academic Debate V. Advocacy in the Real World: A Comparative Analysis.
Mary’s University: San Antonio.
Cottrell, S(2011) Critical Thinking Skills: Developing Effective Analysis and Argument.
Mackmillan.UK.