Complex Arguments for Analysis

My neighbor should be forced to get rid of all the cars in his yard. 5  People do not like living next door to such a mess. 1  He never drives any of them. 2 They all look old and beat up and leak oil all over the place. 3 It is bad for the neighborhood, and it will decrease property values. 4

Argument?  Yes

Conclusion:  The neighbor should get rid of all the cars in his yard.

Additional premises needed?  If the neighbor's yard is a mess because of too many cars that he doesn't drive, and they look old and beat up, that will decrease property values.

Identify any subargument:  1, 3, 4 are independent and support 5.  2 is subjective.


Good argument? Yes

This was a good exercise,  but I still need help in analyzing arguments.  In order to test the argument I will use because between two claims.  People do not like living next door to such a mess, because it will decrease property values. That wasn't too bad.  I will continue to do some more problems, until I get the hang of it.

Practice Mentoring

In reading chapter 4, in The Essential Guide to Group Communication, I found the section on mentoring to be right on.  Mentoring is an important part of any organization.  The person who mentors is someone with experience that is respected in his or her profession.  The protege is the person new to the department that needs someone that can train them in a comfortable atmosphere.  The mentor can make or break the employee, especially in my profession because "nurses eat their young."

As a new nurse, I was paired up with a mentor.  She had been in nursing for quite a while.  Although I did well in school, it was not the same once I was in the hospital unit.  Her ability to explain and teach me made a world of difference.  I felt that I could stop and ask her for the rationale on any thing that I had to do.  It has been eight years since I began nursing, and I owe her much gratitude for taking me under her wings.

Today, I am a mentor to new RN graduates.  I really enjoy the time I spend with them.

Communication apprehension

Communication apprehension is the inability of someone to speak in a group because of anxiety or fear.  I can totally relate to this.  I have found myself wanting to say something in a group setting, but because of fear I didn't.  I felt like a heel afterward.  The author states that "about 20 percent of the population is highly apprehensive about communication."  I wouldn't be surprised if the percentage was much higher.  

At work I am able give wound care presentations to nurses during skills day.  I stand in front of a group of people and  I don't have a problem with that.  I am considered the expert in wound care.  Unfortunately, when it comes to small group settings, I clam up because of apprehension.  I feel as though I am going to make a fool out of myself. 

Prior to going into a group meeting try to relax (using breathing techniques), remember it's all in your head, and prepare as much as you can.  

The solution to this problem is easy, one should talk in a group setting as often as possible:)

Vague/Ambiguous Sentence

A vague or ambiguous sentence leaves one open to misinterpretation or to an unclear meaning.

Last year, my husband and I were commenting on the loss of his perspective jobs.  He is a plumbing contractor and although he has multiple contracts, the jobs have slowed down.   Then he said, “It is what it is." I had not heard that before, so I was stumped.  What did he mean by that?  It was so vague.  He could have talked in great detail about the negative factors influencing his specific business.

In the mean time, I keep hearing this phrase over and over again from people in different walks of life.  It seems odd.  I feel that they must not want to elaborate on whatever topic it is.  It may be a sign of the times, as I had never heard this until recently.  This phrase can be used to change the topic or end a conversation.  

Subjective vs Objective Claim

Subjective vs Objective

A subjective claim is not measurable.  It pertains to an individual’s thoughts, beliefs or feelings[1] (Epstein 20). 

In the hospital, I take care of patients.  I routinely ask them what their pain level is on a scale of one to ten, with ten being the largest amount of pain.  Unfortunately, pain tolerance is very individual. For example, in childbirth, I can say I had pain that was 10/10.  A patient with a ruptured appendix can also have pain that is 10/10.  In both situations the person may be in a fetal position.

Some people have a very high tolerance for pain while others don’t.  Their body language and facial gestures are also worth noting.  Two patients with the same amount of abdominal pain, may request two different medications.  One will ask for Tylenol, an over-the-counter medication, and the other will ask for Vicodin, a narcotic.  Pain is subjective. 

An objective claim is based on facts.

Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix.  The appendix is an organ that is located on the right side of the abdomen.  The signs or symptoms someone may display include:  increased abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. 

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[1] Alex Raffi, Critical Thinking (U.S., Thomson Wadsworth, 2006) 20.