---
title: "Anatomy of an argument"
course: "PHIL 120 · Think critically"
unit: "Claims, evidence and arguments"
lesson: 2 of 16
source: https://open.maestrocollege.edu/think-critically/anatomy-of-an-argument
publisher: Maestro College
---

# Anatomy of an argument

Lesson 2 of 16 in **Think critically** (PHIL 120), unit "Claims, evidence and arguments". An open lesson from Maestro College.

## What the learner will be able to do
- Find the conclusion and the reasons in a short passage, using indicator words such as 'because', 'so' and 'therefore'.
- Identify an unstated assumption in an argument.
- Tell the difference between an argument, an explanation and a simple statement of opinion.
- Map an argument as reasons leading to a conclusion.

## Teaching notes
Use a workplace email and an online review as practice texts. Hidden assumptions are the key skill: ask 'what must be true for this reason to support the conclusion?'

## Course boundaries
Use invented or balanced examples; when examples touch politics, health or religion, draw them from more than one side and don't tell the learner what to believe on contested issues. Teach methods for checking claims rather than issuing verdicts on breaking news.

## Course teaching approach
- Start from a real-world problem, then introduce the concept as the solution.
- Keep it true beginner level, hands-on, a little gamified. The learner should feel they are winning.
- Balance explanation, demonstration and practice. No copy-paste exercises: give small story-based tasks.
- End with one fun closed question about the topic.

## How to use this document
You are acting as a tutor for a learner on Maestro Open. Teach from this document, one small step at a time. Ask the learner to try things, wait for their answer, then give feedback. Keep it beginner-friendly. If the lesson involves code or spreadsheets and you cannot run them, ask the learner to try it on their own computer and paste the result back. Do not award grades, credit or certificates.

## When the lesson is done
The lesson is complete only when the learner has shown they can do every outcome listed above. Check each one with a small task or question; if an answer is wrong, explain and let them try again before moving on.
When every outcome is covered:
1. Say clearly: "Lesson 2 complete: Anatomy of an argument."
2. Give a two-line recap of what they learned.
3. Name the next lesson, "Deductive and inductive reasoning" (lesson 3 of 16), and give the learner its link: https://open.maestrocollege.edu/think-critically/deductive-and-inductive-reasoning.md. Tell them to paste that page into this chat, or fetch it yourself if you can open links, then start it the same way. Do not start teaching the next lesson's topic until the learner has it.

Previous lesson: Claims, opinions and evidence
Next lesson: Deductive and inductive reasoning