Page 155 - Smart Thinking: Skills for Critical Understanding and Writing, 2nd Ed

14 2 SMART THINKING: SKILLS FOR CRITICAL UNDERSTANDING & WRITING

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A difficult paragraph, not least because the ideas being presented are complex
and metaphorical. A key feature here is to discern that there are sub-arguments
within the main argument. That is, some of the reasoning here proves other claims
that then help demonstrate the validity of conclusions further 'down' the chain of
reasoning. As well, there is an important implied premise that links 16,15, and 20
together. Can you identify it? Here are two interesting features of the paragraph:
g. In both cases, the extra words here are not part of the claims which follow
them. They help readers follow the narrative flow but are not, analytically,
significant.
h. We have looked at how claims contain elements that indicate scope; normally
we see these elements limiting the scope. However, in this case, the phrase
'even if...' extends the scope of the claim, attempting to counter any challenge
to the logic by people who say 'ah, but references are not always checked'.
Moving on:
The third reason why referencing is so important is, perhaps, the most diffi-
cult to grasp. [References allow an author to obviate the need to detail and
support every single premise in their arguments and explanations.]x by
[relying instead on the authority of the source from which they obtained the
information they are presenting.]y [(see Allen, Smart Thinking, chapter 6 for
more explanation).]z Put simply, [references are part of the way one writes a
convincing argument or explanation.]22 Since [good writing always seeks to
be convincing, even if to only a small degree]23\ then it is easy to see why j
[the quest to teach students to be good writers must also involve teaching
them to reference effectively.]24