4 Decide whether it’s sound A sound argument is valid and has only true premises. Judge each premise on its own, whatever you think of the conclusion. Then face the strongest objection to it and answer it: a premise you can’t defend is a way out. Each objection starts out suggested : the standard strongest attack on that kind of claim, in your own words. Edit it to fit your topic, or write your own.
Two classic ways to answer a trilemma: show that one of the if–then premises is false (grasping a horn), or show there’s another option that premise 4 leaves out (escaping between the horns).
They can’t all be true, so at least one has to go. Judge each on its own. Then write down what giving each one up would cost: that’s your answer to whichever one the other side drops. The best case for giving each one up starts out suggested . Edit it to fit your topic.
See every premise with the evidence behind it, laid out as a case brief.
5 Make it indestructible
Want it bulletproof? The full version lists every way someone could resist your argument, and tracks which ones you’ve closed.
Switch to Full
There are only seven ways to resist a deductive argument: attack the logic, deny a premise, shift what a word means, expose a hidden assumption, call it circular, say it proves the wrong thing, or run it backwards. Steps 3 and 4 deal with the first two. Close the rest here. The analysis panel tracks every one.
Someone who holds all three claims can only get out a few ways: show the claims don’t really clash, give one up, redefine a word, or deny they hold all three. Steps 3 and 4 deal with the first two. Close the rest here.
Pin down every key word
Equivocation is a word quietly changing meaning partway through. Define each key word once, the way the argument needs it, and hold it to that.
+ Add key word
Fill in my terms
Say what you’re assuming
Every argument leans on something it doesn’t say. Name it before the other side does, and say why it holds.