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Critical Thinking Tutorial: Test Your Existing Knowledge

This tutorial will empower you with valuable critical thinking skills that are essential for your university education.

Argument Analysis Poll

Complete the poll below to determine what you already know about evaluating arguments. Remember, making accurate and meaningful connections between your existing knowledge (what you already know) and the new knowledge (what you're about to learn) will help you become a better critical thinker. Not only will this help you to critically evaluate arguments but also to construct sound arguments of your own.


Note: This is not a quiz, so the popular vote may not be the right answer. If you are unsure, click Don't Know to find out more.

Test Your Existing Knowledge

In an academic setting, an argument can be defined as an unpleasant experience where two or more people are found yelling at each other.
Agree: 3 votes (13.04%)
Disagree: 20 votes (86.96%)
Don't know: 0 votes (0%)
Total Votes: 23

In an academic setting, an argument involves logic, and the methods used to distinguish good reasons for believing something from bad reasons for believing something.
Agree: 18 votes (94.74%)
Disagree: 1 votes (5.26%)
Don't know: 0 votes (0%)
Total Votes: 19

When evaluating an argument, it is important to determine a winner and a loser.
Agree: 0 votes (0%)
Disagree: 18 votes (100%)
Don' know: 0 votes (0%)
Total Votes: 18

Arguments are evaluated using logic and reasoning that can be either inductive or deductive.
Agree: 17 votes (94.44%)
Disagree: 0 votes (0%)
Don't know: 1 votes (5.56%)
Total Votes: 18

If an argument's conclusion is false, an argument can still be valid.
Agree: 10 votes (55.56%)
Disagree: 7 votes (38.89%)
Don't know: 1 votes (5.56%)
Total Votes: 18

For an argument to be sound, the conclusion must follow from the evidence presented and the evidence must also be true.
Agree: 13 votes (86.67%)
Disagree: 1 votes (6.67%)
Don't know: 1 votes (6.67%)
Total Votes: 15

The reasons given as evidence to support the claim of an argument are also called the premises.
Agree: 14 votes (100%)
Disagree: 0 votes (0%)
Don't know: 0 votes (0%)
Total Votes: 14

The conclusion of an argument is the main point or the claim that the argument is trying to prove.
Agree: 15 votes (100%)
Disagree: 0 votes (0%)
Don't know: 0 votes (0%)
Total Votes: 15

Students who succeed at university can accurately analyze and evaluate arguments.
Agree: 8 votes (57.14%)
Disagree: 5 votes (35.71%)
Don't know: 1 votes (7.14%)
Total Votes: 14