Language in Method of Reasoning Q's

[rameday]

Hello,

Do you guys by any chance have a blog that discusses the language used in MOR questions? I would like to keep track of some of the words used and the synonyms for it. Ex. evidence and premise.

Also when the AC says it is a phenomenon for which the main conclusion of the argument is cited as a explanation. Is phenomenon just synonymous with premise?

A

[KelseyWoods]

Hi A!

I'm not sure we have a specific blog about language use in MOR questions yet. Evidence would be a form of a premise. Remember that premises are what the author uses to support her conclusion. Some authors support their conclusions with specific evidence (facts, observations, or research study results), others use principles (broad rules), analogies (comparisons between similar cases), counterexamples (examples that are counter to someone else's argument), etc.

A phenomenon, on the other hand, is not synonymous with a premise. A phenomenon is something that is observable, but often difficult to explain fully. So if the main conclusion of an argument is explaining a phenomenon, the phenomenon would not be a premise exactly because it wouldn't be supporting the conclusion. The premises in the argument would be whatever the author gives to support her explanation of the phenomenon.

Hope this helps!

Best,
Kelsey