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

Reading: Critical Reading & Analysis (Introduction)

B2 Lesson 2: Evaluating the Strength and Validity of Arguments

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Questioning the Text

In our last lesson, we learned to separate facts from opinions. The next step in critical reading is to evaluate¹ the quality of an author's argument. A smart reader doesn't just accept a claim; they analyze the evidence to judge its strength² and validity³.

Today, we will learn how to ask critical questions about the evidence an author provides to decide if their argument is strong or weak.

Part 1: The Critical Reader's Checklist

When you read an argument, ask yourself these questions about the evidence:

1. Is the evidence RELEVANT? Does it directly relate to the author's main point?
2. Is the evidence SUFFICIENT? Is there enough evidence to be convincing, or is it an overgeneralization⁵ from one small example?
3. Is the source CREDIBLE? Does the evidence come from a credible source⁴ (like a scientific study, an expert, or official data), or is it just a random person's opinion?

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Part 2: Analyzing a WEAK Argument

Let's evaluate this argument against a new hotel project in Kampot.

The plan to build the new "Kampot Riviera" hotel is a terrible idea. My friend visited a different city where they built a big hotel, and he said the traffic became awful. I also just think that tall buildings are ugly and don't belong here. Therefore, this project will definitely ruin Kampot and must be stopped.

Evaluation: This is a WEAK argument.

• The evidence about traffic is from a "friend" in a "different city." It is not directly relevant or from a credible source.
• The statement "tall buildings are ugly" is a personal opinion, not evidence.
• The conclusion ("will definitely ruin Kampot") is an overgeneralization based on insufficient evidence.

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Part 3: Analyzing a STRONG Argument

Now let's evaluate a different argument about the same project.

While the proposed "Kampot Riviera" hotel could bring jobs, the project requires careful consideration due to potential negative impacts. A recent environmental impact assessment from the Royal University of Phnom Penh concluded that construction could threaten local fish breeding grounds. Furthermore, a traffic study from the Ministry of Public Works projects a 30% increase in vehicle traffic on already congested roads. Finally, a survey of local business owners showed that 65% are concerned about the economic impact on smaller, family-run guesthouses.

Evaluation: This is a STRONG argument.

• The evidence is highly relevant to the main idea (potential negative impacts).
• The author uses multiple pieces of evidence, not just one.
• The sources are credible (a university study, a government ministry report, a survey with data).

Your Turn to Evaluate!

Practice Quiz

Read the argument and evaluate its strength.

Argument: "Nobody in Cambodia should own a cat. My cousin owns a cat and he told me that it scratches his furniture all the time."

Why is this a WEAK argument?

• A. The author uses too many facts and statistics.
• B. The author uses a credible source, their cousin.
• C. The author makes a huge overgeneralization based on one person's experience.

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Answer: C. The experience of one person's cat is not sufficient evidence to make a rule for an entire country. This is a classic overgeneralization.

Vocabulary Glossary

1. Evaluate (verb)
   ភាសាខ្មែរ: វាយតម្លៃ
   To judge the quality, importance, or value of something based on a careful analysis. ↩ back to text
2. Strength (of an argument) (noun)
   ភាសាខ្មែរ: ភាពរឹងមាំ
   How convincing and well-supported an argument is. ↩ back to text
3. Validity (noun)
   ភាសាខ្មែរ: សុពលភាព
   The quality of an argument being logical and based on sound reasoning. ↩ back to text
4. Credible Source (noun phrase)
   ភាសាខ្មែរ: ប្រភពគួរឱ្យទុកចិត្ត
   A source of information that is expert, trustworthy, and reliable (e.g., a university, a scientific journal, an official report). ↩ back to text
5. Overgeneralization (noun)
   ភាសាខ្មែរ: កំហុសឡូជីខលដែលការសន្និដ្ឋានអំពីក្រុមធំមួយត្រូវបានដកចេញពីភស្តុតាងតិចតួចបំផុត ឬមិនគ្រប់គ្រាន់។
   A logical error where a conclusion about a large group is drawn from very small or insufficient evidence. ↩ back to text

Homework Task

Evaluate a Real Argument!

Find an opinion article or a comment on a social media post about a topic you know something about. Read the person's argument carefully.

1. What is their main argument or claim?
2. What evidence do they provide?
3. Evaluate the evidence. Is it strong or weak? Use the checklist from the lesson: Is it relevant, sufficient, and credible? Explain your evaluation in one or two sentences.