Argument vs. Explanation Practice Exercises

Review the lesson for Argument vs. Explanation Study Guide.

Argument vs. Explanation Practice Exercises

Practice Exercise

How could you revise the following weak explanations to make them strong?

1. Everyone on our street is without electricity because our power went out.



2. My new MP3 player is not working since I ate that ice cream sundae.

Answer

1. A good explanation would give reasons, or new information, about the power outage. Responses might be "because Hurricane Graham hit here yesterday," or "because the wiring is old and needs to be replaced."
2. To make a good explanation, you would have to give relevant reasons as to why the MP3 player is not working, such as, "since my brother dropped it" or "since the battery went dead."

Practice Exercise

Tell if the underlined text is a fact or a judgment.

1. My science grades have been really low. I think I'm going to flunk.
2. With such a great menu and prices, this restaurant will be a great success.
3. The local no-smoking ban should be lifted because adults can decide for themselves whether or not to smoke.
4. I was late for work yesterday because I overslept and missed my bus.

Answers

1. fact
2. judgment
3. judgment
4. fact

Practice Exercise

Label each statement as an (A) argument or an (E) explanation.

1. We should not have school on Saturdays because we need time for recreation.
2. The reason my credit rating is high is because I never make late payments.
3. If you worked out more, you would lose weight, because exercise burns calories.
4. The death penalty should be abolished because two wrongs do not make a right.

Answers

1. Argument
2. Explanation
3. Explanation
4. Argument