TS 4: ARGUMENTS

ARGUMENTS = PREMISE + CONCLUSION

1) WHAT IS AN ARGUMENT? 

A) Chee Kuan is a good muslim.

B) Chee Kuan is a good muslim because he observes his solat.

(A) is not an ARGUMENT because it does not tell you WHY Chee Kuan is good Muslim. 

(B) is an ARGUMENT because it tells you WHY (PREMISE) and state the CONCLUSION.

Conclusion: Chee Kuan is a good muslim.

Premise: He observes his solat.

2) HOW DO YOU IDENTIFY CONCLUSION & PREMISE?

A)by detecting the indicators: premise indicator or conclusion indicator. Notice that the conclusion is in red colour and premise in blue below:

i) Chee Kuan is a good muslim because he observes his solat.

ii) Chee Kuan observes his solat, therefore he is a good muslim.

because = premise indicator

therefore = conclusion indicator

B) by understanding the context.

Chee Kuan is a good muslim. He observes his solat. No one can claim that he is a good Muslim if he ignores his compulsory solats.

3) IS THIS A FACT OR AN OPINION?

a) Islam says that it is haram to touch a dog.

b) Malay culture says that it is haram to touch a dog.

4) ARE THESE ARGUMENTS OR NON-ARGUMENTS?

a) Yesterday, I saw a football match. It was a match between Selangor and Kedah. Kedah won thru penalties. (report)

b) You should not wear black shirts. You should wear white instead. (assertion)

c) I love fruits such as durian, apple, bananas. (illustration)

d)  If it rains, I go to sleep! (conditional sentences)

e) i) I did not attend yesterday's class because I was ill. (explanation)

ii) I did not attend yesterday's class because it is a human right to attend or not. (argument)