Standardization, Contexting and Analysis Hints

Standardization Hints.

1. Follow the same logic as the original argument.

2. Add suppressed claims only to the extent that you need to to make sense of the argument. 

3. Adding more suppressed material than you need risks misrepresenting the arguer's position.

4.  Don't make your conclusion any stronger than what the original arguer actually says.

5. Try to write just exactly what each arguer would want you to say.

6. Sometimes thinking about the basic question can help you figure out the right standardization.

7. Two directly opposing arguments will have  directly opposing conclusions.

Contexting Hints.

Background knowledge is usually debatable, so we'll just start with the basic questions.

8. The basic question is something the arguers disagree about.

9. If a point is undisputed by the other side, then that point isn't the basic question.

10. Opposing conclusions are opposing answers to the basic question.

11. Other points are only there to support an arguer's answer to the basic question.

Analysis Hints

12. If it directly challenges one or more of the other side's facts, then it's a counter argument.

13. If gives a reason to think there's a logical problem, then it's a counter argument.

14. Saying "wrong conclusion" isn't enough to support a counter argument.

15. If it doesn't directly challenge the other argument's facts or logic, it's a direct argument.