Deciding for yourself: Breaking down authors’ arguments

A guide to figuring out how you can decide what's worth believing, what's worth investigating more, and what's utter nonsense.

Imagine you’re reading an article and the author makes a bold claim, like “The world would be a better place if everyone ate only vegetables.” You could respond in two different ways:

“Wow, I guess this person really likes vegetables.”

“Interesting, I wonder what proof this person has.”

Which reaction do you think will help you understand the article better, and why?

Reaction two is probably more helpful. Instead of just accepting the author’s claim (like in reaction one), reaction two involves questioning the argument to understand it better. In this article, we’ll be discussing why understanding arguments is important and how to break down an argument in a text so you can become an empowered reader!

First off, what are arguments and claims?

Before we dive into how to break down an argument, let's first understand what arguments and claims are. In the context of reading and writing, an argument is a set of reasons given with the aim of persuading others that an action or idea is right or wrong.

A claim, on the other hand, is the main idea or point that the author is trying to get across. It's what the author believes and wants to convince you to believe too. The claim is usually supported by reasons and evidence, which together form the argument.

Why is understanding arguments important?

It helps you understand the text better. When you break down an argument, you're not just reading—you're actively thinking about the text. This helps you understand the text on a deeper level.
It helps you understand what you think. The author isn’t the only one with opinions, and we shouldn’t just accept everything we read. By seeing how our opinions compare with the author’s, we can better understand how we feel and why we feel that way.
It improves your critical thinking skills. Understanding arguments requires you to analyze the text closely and think critically about the author's point of view.
It prepares you for writing. Being able to understand and break down arguments in a text prepares you to write your own arguments and respond to others’ arguments.

How can I break down an argument in a text?

Identify the claim. The first step in breaking down an argument is identifying the claim, the main point or idea that the author is trying to get across.
Look for proof. Once you've identified the claim, look for the reasons that the author has given in support of it.
Evaluate the evidence. After identifying the reasons, evaluate the evidence provided to support them. Is the evidence strong and convincing? Does it directly support the claim?
Consider counter arguments. Finally, consider any counter arguments presented in the text. A counterargument is an argument that someone might give against the author’s argument. How does the author address these? Do they effectively prove them wrong, or do they leave some questions unanswered?

You’re reading an article where the author argues that school should start later in the day. Break down the argument using the steps above.

Identify the claim: School should start later in the day.
Look for proof: Starting school later would allow students to get more sleep, which would improve their focus and performance in school.
Evaluate the evidence: The author cites several studies showing a connection between more sleep and better grades. They also share stories about their personal experiences of feeling more alert and focused when they get enough sleep.
Consider counterarguments: The author acknowledges that starting school later could interfere with after-school activities and parents' work schedules. However, they argue that the benefits to students' health and academic performance outweigh these potential drawbacks.

Try it!

Practice: Arguments and claims

Despite its popularity, fast food is not a healthy choice for everyday

. Fast food is usually high in calories, fat, sugar, and salt. Consuming too much of these can lead to serious health problems like obesity and heart disease. Some may argue that fast food offers a valuable option for those too busy to cook. However, the health risks presented by frequent consumption of fast food mean that people should consider other options, such as frozen meals or quick, simple recipes, when they are too busy to cook.

Which line from the text BEST shows the author’s main claim?

(Choice A)
“Despite its popularity, fast food is not a healthy choice for everyday consumption.”
(Choice B)
“Fast food is usually high in calories, fat, sugar, and salt.”
(Choice C)
“Consuming too much of these can lead to serious health problems like obesity and heart disease.”
(Choice D)
“Some may argue that fast food offers an important option for those too busy to cook.”

Remember!

Many people write to convince others of their ideas, but that doesn’t mean you need to—or should—believe every argument you read. By identifying claims, looking for supporting reasons, evaluating evidence, and considering counterarguments, you'll be well on your way to figuring out which arguments are worth believing, which you need to investigate more, and which are just, well…nonsense.

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David.r
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