Example of Argument Analysis

Analyzing Arguments Worksheet

(based on the Toulmin Method)

What is the Claim:  The death penalty should be abolished because it is expensive, difficult to implement (botched executions) dwindling justifications, crime rates have plunged, and the Supreme Court is increasingly opposing it

How so? Switch to Life Without Parole

What are the exceptions? Author doesn’t admit to exceptions but should there be?

First Reason to Accept the Author’s Claim

What makes this reason relevant? Expense is a strong argument. This money comes from taxpayers

What makes this reason effective? Money could be spent on other things that strengthen society and help more people than the death penalty does.

What evidence supports this reason? The reporters on study plus that of a government commission

When I examined the cost of Florida’s death penalty many years ago, I concluded that seeing a death sentence through to execution costs at least six times as much as a life sentence. A more recent study by a federal commission pegged the difference in the costs of the trials at eight times as much. Duke University professor Philip J. Cook studied North Carolina’s system and concluded that the Tar Heel State could save $11 million per year by abolishing the death penalty. California’s system incurs excess costs estimated at some $200 million per year. From Kansas to Maryland, Tennessee to Pennsylvania, studies have all reached similar conclusions.

Is this evidence sufficient? Author cites his own studies, a federal commission, an academic study conducted at a prominent university.  This is good evidence.

Is this evidence credible? Yes. See above.

Is this evidence accurate? Presumably.  However—are there any competing studies that show opposite results? Reader must rely on the good faith of the reporter. However, these results are true of ordinary state prisons. Would the claim still hold true for Supermax prisons. Does it factor in costs related to recidivist killers.

Second Reason to Accept the Author’s Claim

What makes this reason relevant?

What makes this reason effective?

What evidence supports this reason?

Is this evidence sufficient?

Is this evidence credible?

Is this evidence accurate?

Third Reason to Accept the Author’s Claim

What makes this reason relevant?

What makes this reason effective?

What evidence supports this reason?

Is this evidence sufficient?

Is this evidence credible?

Is this evidence accurate?

Objections to the Claim

Name an Objection you noted:

What is the Author’s Rebuttal?:

Name another Objection you noted:

What is the Author’s Rebuttal?:

Is there a third Objection?:

If so, how does the author defend the claim?