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Chapter 3 - Coggle Diagram
Chapter 3
How to Find the Conclusion
Clue 1: Ask what the issue is
Look at the title, opening, or skim the text to identify the issue
Clue 2: Look for Indicator Words
Look for Indicator Words
Clue 3: Look in Likely Locations
Beginning or end of the text, whre conclusions are typically stated or summarized
Clue 4: What a Conclusion is Not
Examples, statistics, definitions, background info, and evidence are not conclusions
Clue 5: Check the Context & Author's Background
Consider the author's biases or affiliations to infer the conclusion
Identifying the Issue and Conclusion
Issue
Question or controversy (stimulus for discussion)
Descriptive Issues: Accuracy of descriptions (past, present, future)
Prescriptive Issues: What should be done, moral or ethical questions
Conclusion
The message or thesis the writer/speaker wants you to believe
Key Question: What does the speaker want you to believe or do?
Descriptive vs Prescriptive Issues
Descriptive Issues
Focus on accuracy (e.g., :What happened?", "Is this true?")
Questions about facts, events, or reality
Prescriptive Issues
Focus on action, ethics, or morality (e.g., "What should we do?, What is right"
Questions about what should be done, moral judgements, and societal values
Importance of Clarity in Writing
Clear Communication
Make the conclusion easy to identify and understand
Use clear, precise language to avoid confusion
Organize Your Thoughts
Structure your argument logically and explicitly
Make your reasoning transparent to help the audience follow
Structure of Persuasive Communication
Argument Structure
"This because of that"
This: Conclusion (message to accept)
That: Evidence or reasoning supporting the conclusion
Inference: Conclusion derived from reasoning
Critical Thinking: Requires identifying both conclusion and reason (evidence)
The Critical Question
What Are the Issues and Conclusion?
Understanding the issue and conclusion is the first step in engaging critically with an argument