Reading: Critical Reading & Analysis (Introduction)
B2 Lesson 2: Evaluating the Strength and Validity of Arguments
Listen to the "Weak vs. Strong" examples.
Before You Read 🧠
Key Vocabulary (Click 🔊)
Let's learn these important words for today's lesson.
What is a Strong Argument?
A strong argument is not just a personal opinion. It is a main point (a **claim**) that is supported by good **evidence** and clear **reasoning**.
WEAK Argument 👎
"You shouldn't drink coffee. It's just bad. My uncle drank coffee and he was always nervous."
STRONG Argument 👍
"People should limit their coffee intake. According to a study from Johns Hopkins University, drinking more than four cups per day can lead to increased anxiety and poor sleep."
The 3 Pillars of a Strong Argument
When you read, look for these three things to decide if the argument is strong.
What is the author's main point or belief?
- e.g., "Remote work is the future of business."
What proof does the author provide?
- Facts & Statistics: "A 2023 study showed 30% higher productivity."
- Expert Opinion: "Dr. Chan, an economist, agrees..."
- Anecdotes/Examples: "For example, my own company..."
Is the link between the evidence and the claim logical?
- Strong: "The productivity data suggests companies should adopt it."
- Weak: "My company is productive, so *all* companies will be." (This is a fallacy!)
Reading Passage: An Opinion on Remote Work
Read the following short opinion piece. As you read, try to identify the author's main claim, their evidence, and any potential weaknesses.
The Office Is Not Obsolete
(1) In the post-pandemic world, many tech companies are pushing for a full return to the office, and they are absolutely right to do so. While remote work was a necessary experiment, it's clear that it is failing our businesses and our employees. The office is not, and never will be, obsolete.
(2) The main reason is simple: creativity dies in isolation. Dr. Soriya Keo, a professor of organizational psychology, stated, "True innovation comes from spontaneous, face-to-face interactions that simply cannot be replicated over a video call." Our company's best ideas have always come from random chats by the coffee machine, not scheduled Zoom meetings.
(3) Furthermore, company culture is impossible to build over a screen. My cousin, who started a new job remotely last year, said he feels totally disconnected from his team. He doesn't know his co-workers and has no company loyalty. If we allow this to continue, all companies will collapse as employees feel no connection to their work.
(4) It is a clear choice: we can either bring employees back to the office and save our economy, or we can continue with remote work and watch our national productivity fall to zero. Therefore, leaders must make the brave choice and end flexible work policies immediately.
Practice What You Learned 🎯
Quiz: Analyze the Argument
Based on the reading passage, answer the following questions. Click "Check Answers" when you're done.
1. What is the author's main **Claim**?
2. What type of evidence is the highlighted sentence in paragraph (2)? (...Dr. Soriya Keo... stated...)
3. What is the *weakest* part of the author's argument?
Key Vocabulary Reference (Click 🔊)
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Argument
A reason or set of reasons given to persuade others that an action or idea is right or wrong.
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Valid
Based on truth or reason; logical and convincing.
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Evidence
Facts, statistics, or expert opinions that prove something is true.
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Logical Fallacy
A flaw or error in reasoning that makes an argument invalid or weak.
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Anecdote
A short, personal story about a real incident or person. (Often weak evidence).
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Overgeneralization
A conclusion about *all* things based on only one or two examples.
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Obsolete
No longer produced or used; out of date.
Your Reading Mission ⭐
Become a Critical Reader
This week, find one opinion article in English (from a news site like the *Phnom Penh Post* International Edition, *The Guardian*, or *BBC News*).
- Read the article and identify the author's main claim.
- Find one piece of evidence they use (e.g., a statistic, an expert quote, or a personal story).
- Ask yourself: Is this evidence strong or weak? Does it logically support the claim?
Practice: Try to explain your analysis to a friend in English, e.g., "The author's claim is that... His evidence is... I think this is a weak argument because..."