In everyday speech an "argument" is a quarrel. In logic it means something calmer: a set of statements where some (the premises) are offered as reasons to accept another (the conclusion).

Example:

• Premise: Every person needs water to survive.
• Premise: Maria is a person.
• Conclusion: Maria needs water to survive.

Finding the parts

Real arguments rarely come labeled. Indicator words help:

• Conclusion indicators: therefore, so, thus, hence, which means, it follows that.
• Premise indicators: because, since, given that, for, as shown by.

"We should fix the bridge, because it is cracking and people cross it every day." The conclusion is "we should fix the bridge"; the two reasons after "because" are the premises.

What is not an argument

Not every set of sentences argues for something. A description ("The sky was grey and the streets were wet") reports. An explanation ("The streets are wet because it rained") says why something already accepted happened. An opinion on its own ("Pineapple pizza is terrible") states a view but gives no reasons. Only when reasons are offered to support a claim do we have an argument.

Why it matters

You cannot judge an argument until you can see its structure. The first skill of critical thinking is simply asking: what is being claimed, and what reasons are given for it?