After you have read the passage carefully, distinguishing between purported facts and opinions, answer the following questions thoroughly.

1. What is the author's conclusion?

2. What premises does the author provide to support this conclusion?

3. What assumptions (unstated premises) are required for the author's argument to be valid?

4. Do the premises seem uncontroversially true?  If not, explain.

5. Do the assumptions seem uncontroversially true?  If not, explain.

6. Are all terms in the argument adequately defined?  If not, explain.

7. Are there other facts, not discussed, that would be helpful to know in evaluating the argument?  If so, explain.

8. Does the author appeal to emotion or use words designed to influence our response? (e.g., discounts, hedges, assurances, repetition, etc.)  If so, explain.

9. Is your well-crafted version of the argument valid?  That is, suppose the premises and assumptions are true, regardless of their actual truth or falsity.  Ask yourself, given their truth, does the conclusion have to follow?  (If so the argument is valid, if not, it is invalid.)  If a clear valid/invalid answer is difficult, explain why.

10. In your opinion, is your well-crafted version of the argument sound?  That is, does it both have a valid form and have all true premises and assumptions?  (If so, it is sound, if not, it is unsound.)  Explain your answer.