Finding Zen in Logic

Today

Review Thesis Statements

Introduce Informal Logic as a way of thinking.

Connect Informal Logic to our idea of thesis statements

A thesis statement is…a claiman understanding about your topicargumentativereasoned idea, supported by logic usually one sentence

Thesis Statements

How do you create a thesis statement?

Use your notes and begin to underline or highlight main ideas or claims that you seem to make.

Types of claims:1. Claims of Fact or Definition2. Claims of Cause and Effect

3. Claims About Value4. Claims About Solutions or Policies

Claims of Fact or Definition These claims argue about what the definition of something is or whether something is a settled fact.

Example What some people refer to as global warming is actually nothing more than normal, long-term cycles of climate change.

Claims of Cause and Effect These claims argue that one person, thing, or event caused another thing or event to occur.

ExampleThe popularity of SUV's in America has caused

pollution to increase.

Claims About Value These are claims made about what something is

worth, whether we value it or not, how we would rate or categorize something.

Example Global warming is the most pressing challenge

facing the world today.

Claims About Solutions or Policies These are claims that argue for or against a

certain solution or policy approach to a problem. Example

Instead of drilling for oil in Alaska we should be focusing on ways to reduce oil consumption, such as researching renewable energy sources.

Analytical Thesis StatementA thesis statement that analyzes the

relationship among various significant ideas contained in the thesis sentence(s)

Thesis Statement

Thesis Statements

In other words, we must make a claim that can be proven through logic.

Argumentative thesis statements require that we take a stand on our topics.

“A thesis statement focuses both the writer’s and reader’s attention on specific issues to be developed within an essay.”

In addition, analytical thesis statements analyze the relationship among these significant ideas.

“A writer’s reasoned conclusion about some issue or writing problem.”

Thesis Statement

Structure of Analytical Thesis StatementsThis pattern can serve as an aid:

Independent clause(s) + restricting clause(s) [general ideas are stated] [qualifying idea(s) defined]

Thesis Statement

“Young people in China lack many abilities, such as self-independence and self-control. They are not mature enough and can easily be influenced by the outside world. It is necessary for them to have a mature base and enough condition to go abroad. The first thing to do is form a solid foundation of traditional Chinese culture.”

Thesis Statement

Thesis Statement:

Chinese students who have graduated college benefit from studying abroad more than high school students(general) because graduates have a foundation of traditional Chinese values. (qualifying)

Thesis Statement

Take some time and work on making a claim/thesis statement.

FactCause and EffectValueSolutions or Policies

Thesis Statement

Logic is a system of analysis in which writers invent, demonstrate and prove their claims and make those claims arguments.

Logic is simply a strategy that tests certain claims and conclusions of their accuracy.

Logic

Most commonly used in Math, Science, Philosophy and writing.

Informal Logic is a type of logic used to develop arguments.

Logic

Inductive Reasoning

Logic

Deductive Reasoning

SyllogismEnthymeme

Syllogism:

Premise 1: All men are mortal.Premise 2: Socrates is a man.

Conclusion: Therefore, Socrates is mortal.

Logic

Often logic requires several premises to reach a conclusion.

Premise 1: All monkeys are primates.Premise 2: All primates are mammals.Premise 3: All mammals are vertebrate animals. Conclusions: Monkeys are vertebrate animals.

Logic

Logic can also mislead when it is based on premises that an audience does not accept. For instance:

Premise 1: People with red hair are not good at checkers.Premise 2: Bill has red hair.Conclusion: Bill is not good at checkers.

Logic

Thesis Statement:

Chinese students who have graduated college benefit from studying abroad more than high school students because graduates have a foundation of traditional Chinese values.

Inductive Premise?Deductive Conclusion?

Logic

Thesis Statement:

Chinese students who have graduated college benefit from studying abroad more than high school students because graduates have a foundation of traditional Chinese values.

Inductive Premise?Deductive Conclusion?

Logic

Next Week:

Continuing Logic

Taking Analytical Thesis statements and developing outlines using Informal Logic.

Logic

Homework:

Draft out an analytical thesis. This will be collected next week.

Logic

“Love is disappearing [independent / generalization] because individualism is the main survival technique in today’s fiercely competitive society [restricting idea].”

Logic

Premise 1: ?Premise 2: Individualism is the main survival technique in today’s fiercely competitive society. Conclusion: Love is disappearing.

Logic

Premise 1: Individualism and love are mutually exclusive.Premise 2: Individualism is the main survival technique in today’s fiercely competitive society. Conclusion: Love is disappearing.

Logic