In a conditional statement, the component that immediately follows the word "if," 40, 295
Argument
A claim defended with reasons. More precisely, an argument is a set of statements, one of which (called the conclusion) is claimed or intended to be supported by the others (called the premises), 25, 50; cogent, 82--83, 222--223, 310, 312; complex, 32--33; deductive, 52--67, 83; explanation and, 42--43; inductive, 52--62, 67, 71, 83, 305--350; invalid, 74--78, 83; not a fight, 407--409; simple, 32--33; sound, 78, 83, 222--223, 310; strong, 78, 83, 222, 305, 312; uncogent, 82--83, 312; unsound, 78, 83; valid, 74--78, 83, 222, 276, 286; weak, 79-83, 305, 312
Complex argument
An argument that contains at least one subconclusion, 32--33
Conclusion
The statement in an argument that the premises are claimed or intended to support, 25, 50; in argumentative essays, 438-439; main, 32-33; missing, 205-207; subconclusions, 33
Conclusion indicators
Words or phrases that provide clues when a conclusion is being offered, 30
Conditional statement
An "if...then" statement, 39--40, 196, 295--301
Consequent
In a conditional statement, the part that immediately follows the word "then," 40, 295
Explanandum
The part of an explanation that is explained, 42
Explanans
The part of an explanation that does the explaining, 42
Explanation
A statement or set of statements that is primarily intended to provide an account of why something is the case, rather than to prove that it is the case, 38, 41--43
Illustrations
Statements intended to provide examples of a claim rather than to prove the claim, 41-42
Indicator words
Words or phrases that provide clues when a premise or conclusion is being offered, 29-31, 306
Main conclusion
In a complex argument, the main point or final conclusion an arguer seeks to establish, 33
Ought imperative
A sentence that has the grammatical form of an imperative or command ("Do X") but is intended to assert a value or "ought" judgment ("You ought to do X"), 26--27
Premise indicator
A word or phrase that indicates when a premise is being offered, 29-30
Premises
Statements in an argument offered as reasons or evidence for a conclusion, 25, 50; evaluating, 99-101, 223-227; listing opposing, 422; listing supporting, 420-421
Principle of charity
A principle of interpretation that requires that unclear passages or arguments be interpreted in the way most favorable the speaker or writer, 41--42, 59-60, 203--204, 206, 291
Report
A statement or set of statements intended simply to convey information about a given subject: 38--39
Simple argument
An argument that contains no subconclusions, 32--33
Statement
A sentence that can sensibly be regarded as true or false, 25--26, 196, 213-214, 542 n. 1
Subconclusion
A subordinate or intermediate conclusion in an argument, 33, 208--209
Unsupported statement of belief or opinion
A statement of personal belief or opinion that is not supported by reasons or evidence, 38--39
