Reading: Critical Reading & Analysis (Introduction): B2 Lesson 2: Evaluating the Strength and Validity of Arguments
CEFR Level: B2 (Upper Intermediate)
Target Reading Sub-skill: Critical Reading & Analysis (Introduction)
Specific Focus: Evaluating the Strength and Validity of Arguments
What You Will Learn
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Understand what makes an argument strong and valid (logical).
- Identify criteria for evaluating arguments (relevance, sufficiency, credibility of evidence; logical reasoning).
- Recognize common weaknesses in arguments (e.g., lack of evidence, irrelevant points, simple logical fallacies).
- Practice evaluating the strength and validity of arguments in B2-level texts.
Hello Cambodian Learners!
When you read an article that tries to convince you of something – perhaps about the best way to develop tourism in a place like Kep, or a viewpoint on environmental protection in Cambodia – it's important not just to understand the argument, but also to evaluate if it's a good argument. Is it strong? Is it logical? Today, we'll learn how to assess the strength and validity of arguments you read. This is a key skill for thinking critically and making informed decisions.
Evaluating Arguments: Is it Strong and Valid?
A strong and valid argument is convincing because it is well-supported and makes logical sense.
Criteria for Evaluating Arguments:
- Relevance of Evidence: Does the evidence directly relate to and support the main claim? Or is it off-topic?
- Sufficiency of Evidence: Is there enough evidence to support the claim? Or does the author make big claims with little proof?
- Credibility of Evidence/Sources: Is the evidence from a reliable and trustworthy source (e.g., expert research, official statistics)? Or is it just personal opinion or an unverified story?
- Logical Reasoning: Does the argument follow a clear and logical path? Are there any "gaps" in the thinking or obvious mistakes in reasoning (logical fallacies)? For example, an overgeneralization is when a conclusion is drawn from too little evidence (e.g., "I visited one noisy market in Battambang, so all markets in Cambodia must be noisy.")
A strong argument usually has relevant, sufficient, and credible evidence, and clear logical reasoning.
A weak argument might lack evidence, use irrelevant or unreliable evidence, or have flaws in its logic.
Example: Click the text to hear it.
Argument for More Public Libraries
Evaluating this argument:
Main Claim: The city needs more public libraries (Sentence 1, restated in 5).
Strong Evidence: Sentences 2 (statistic about current provision) and 3 (survey results) are relevant and credible pieces of evidence.
Weaker Evidence: Sentence 4 ("My cousin says...") is an anecdote (personal story) and is much weaker than the survey or facts.
Overall Strength: The argument is reasonably strong due to the survey and factual data, though relying less on the anecdote would make it even stronger.
Practice Time!
Activity 1: How Strong is the Argument?
Read each short argumentative text. Based on the evidence and reasoning, decide if the main argument is generally Strong, Moderate, or Weak. Choose the best option.
Activity 2: Identify a Weakness
Read the argument. What is a potential weakness in its reasoning or evidence?
Quick Quiz!
Great Job!
Evaluating the strength and validity of arguments is a crucial critical thinking skill. It helps you to not just accept information, but to analyze it carefully and decide how convincing it really is!