Reading: Critical Reading & Analysis (Introduction): B2 Lesson 2: Evaluating the Strength and Validity of Arguments

Critical Reading

B2 Lesson 2: Is it a Good Argument?

Goal: Decide if an argument is Strong (Valid) or Weak (Invalid) by checking the evidence.

1. Key Concepts

Argument ការជជែកវែកញែក (A claim + reasons)

Valid ត្រឹមត្រូវ/សមហេតុផល (Makes sense)

Evidence ភស្តុតាង (Proof/Facts)

Bias លំអៀង (Unfair preference)

2. Weigh the Argument

A good argument must have weight (proof). A bad argument is empty air.

🏋️

STRONG (Valid)

• Uses Facts & Data
• Logical reasons
• "Studies show..."

🪶

WEAK (Invalid)

• Uses only Feelings
• "Everyone says so..."
• No proof

3. Which is Stronger?

Topic: Should we ban plastic bags?

Person A

"We should ban them because I hate the color white. Plastic bags are ugly."

Person B

"We should ban them because plastic takes 500 years to decompose and kills sea life."

Winner: Person B (Uses Facts/Science)

Topic: Is the new phone good?

Person A

"It's the best phone because the advertisement said so."

Person B

"It has a battery life of 20 hours, which is 5 hours more than the old model."

Winner: Person B (Specific Data)

4. Judge the Argument

Claim: "You should buy this car."

Reason: "Because my favorite actor drives it."

1. Is this a Strong or Weak argument? Weak (Opinion/Celebrity bias) Strong (Fact)

Claim: "Cycling is healthy."

Reason: "Doctors say it improves heart health and builds muscle."

2. Is this a Strong or Weak argument? Strong (Evidence/Expert) Weak (Opinion)