1. What is a Critique?
A critique is not just a response but a close look at the quality of an argument someone else has made.
A critique is a written evaluation of some kind of performance .
Examples of this genre, or kind of writing, are reviews, such as book or concert reviews, and evalutions, such as the terminal comments a teacher might write at the end paper when assigning a grade.

2. How a critique differs from a reaction
Critical thinking is the difference between reacting and critiquing.
People use the term critical distance to describe the space between a first reaction, which may be hot, and a cooler, more studied analysis.

3. Analysis of Argument
Analysis is the examination of an argumentative situation for its claims and opposing claims to discover the issues and what arguments and support (evidence, values, credibility) are most important.
Argumentative situation:
Exigency: what are the bases of argument? Why is the argument necessary at this time? What are the key “points of stasis” between the different parties?
Audience: in what sphere is the argument taking place? Who are the relevant decision makers?
Constraints: what are the constraints on decision and action?

4. Analysis of Argument The purpose of analysis is to identify
what needs to be argued and
what it will take to gain adherence.
Analysis is composed of two processes
Critical analysis to find a proposition
Develop claims from questions that arise when you realize that some problem requires resolution but you are not sure what that resolution is
The goal is to develop a proposition that addresses the problem you identify
Critical analysis to develop a case
Identify the best arguments and support for a given proposition
Arrange those arguments in such a way that it will gain the adherence of decision makers

5. Analysis of Argument What does the process of analysis include?
Systematic evaluations in advance of presenting arguments
Not just gaining knowledge, analysis determines:
What needs to be argued
What it will take to gain adherence
Developing effective arguments supported by evidence, values, and credibility
Learning about others with whom you will argue
Analysis, therefore, requires that you examine you own and opposing arguments with equal care

6. Analysis of Argument Critical Analysis to Find a Proposition
Feeling of doubt that arises from the realization of a problem
Critical decision making can help you discover the proposition you will argue
Eight Steps to Find a Proposition

7. Steps to Finding a Proposition
Step One: Identify the Question
State the problem as a question.
Evaluate several alternatives.
What are the key questions being asked about Planned Parenthood?
Step Two: Survey Objectives and Values
Establish Criteria
What problems need addressing?
What does the ideal solution look like?
What values should the solution embody?
What are the problems, values, and solutions that surround Planned Parenthood?

8. Steps to Finding a Proposition
Step Three: Canvass Alternative Decisions
Evaluate the widest range of alternatives
Don’t accept
Easy fits
Favorites
Limited criteria
Etc.
What are some of the possible alternatives for Planned Parenthood?
Step Four: Weigh the Costs and Risks
What are the potential good and consequences?
Costs – money, values, and goods sacrificed by selecting one versus another alternative
Risk – includes degree of uncertainty and the strength/likelihood of worst case scenarios
What are the risk and costs of some of the different alternatives we just identified?

9. Steps to Finding a Proposition
Step Five: Search for New Information
Eliminate ambiguous language, i.e., clear definitions
Develop a measure of evidentiary quality, i.e., representativeness
Search for errors in data collection, i.e., statistical validity/reliability
Look for missing information, i.e., biased data/reporting
Step Six: Criticize Alternatives
Test each alternative against objectives and values sought and the information you discover
Identify the pros and cons
Be willing to put your preferred options at risk

10. Steps to Finding a Proposition
Step Seven: Check for Biases
Don’t choose only because you feel strongly
Evaluating other’s views/arguments are effective for identifying potential bias
Step Eight: Select a Proposition
Make plans to implement the proposition
Prepare contingency plans
Build a case for your decision

11. Building a Case
Building a case means preparing a plan, a strategy, a comprehensive series of arguments that combine to support a decision persuasively.
A case is a complete story that helps others see your proposed decision is the right and sensible thing to do.
The context and manner of argument should vary based on argumentative or decision rules of particular spheres.

12. Building a case Why build a case?
A case organizes the issues, arguments, and supports discovered through analysis in a persuasive format.
A case provides a convincing vision that satisfy the needs and values of the audience.
Arguments dispel doubts that the vision is correct and provide a rationale for its promulgation.

13. Building a Case Follow the critical decision making process.
Have available the strongest possible statement of your case.
Have a realistic knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of other alternatives.
Be able to modify your position to avoid weaknesses and maximize strengths.
Be willing to abandon your position entirely if you find it not worthy of your support.

14. Building a Case Assess Presumptions and Burden of Proof
Presumption is the preoccupation of ground which implies that it must stand till some sufficient reason is adduced against it.
In most cases, presumption favors the status quo.
In other cases, presumption is one of the issues debated.
Burden of proof identifies the responsibility to initiate an argument and set out a case sufficient in argumentative strength to move decision makers to action.

15. Building a Case
A prima facie case provides sufficient argument to justify adherence to its proposition if no counterargument occurs.
A prima facie case shifts the argumentative burden to the party that was protected by presumption
They now have the burden of rejoinder, which allows them to supply a counterargument to stay in contention.

16. Building a Case Problem/Solution: a case structure in which you
consider a problem,
propose a solution,
and identify the results.
Criteria
Establish adherence to a set of criteria
Establish adherence to claims of fact relevant to the criteria
Use the criteria to gain adherence to a value judgment about the factual claims

17. Building a Case Comparative Advantage Example
Develop arguments in favor of your preferred policy and contrast it with another proposal.
Useful when parties agree on the need for change but disagree about the specific proposals for change.
Example
Family planning and reproductive health services are essential for women.
Healthy women make healthy mothers.
Planning and pre-natal care ensures the health of babies.
Planned Parenthood is better than its competitors.
Pregnancy Resource Centers often use psychologically traumatic methods to coerce women into keeping children.
Many family planning organizations fail to present women with all of the information about their options, as a recent study in City Weekly demonstrated.

18. Building a Case
Chain of reasoning: relies on a series of claims that connect step-by-step using a commonplace or form of reasoning, such as cause to effect, to move the decision maker to grant adherence
Claim 1: Planned Parenthood helps reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies by providing preventive care and family planning to women.
Claim 2: Reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies reduces the number of abortions that occur at Planned Parenthood and other clinics.
Claim 3: By reducing the number of pregnancies and providing preventative medicine, Planned Parenthood decreases social spending on women’s reproductive health

19. Building a Case
Stock Issues: a format for writing a case that can be adapted for virtually any policy question
Identify the need for change from and harm with the status quo.
Inherency: a barrier to change in the status quo.
Harms: negative problems created by the status quo.
Significance: a statement of force or impact of the problems.
Identify a plan or change in policy that will correct the problems.
Examine how the plan will solve the problem.
Describe the practicality and desirability of the plan.

20. Building a Case
As you construct your case and develop your argument for your research paper, remember to:
Learn the decision makers’ values
Decision makers evaluate arguments in terms of their personal vision.
To make a compelling vision requires an understanding of your how your proposition will be viewed by decision makers.
Tell the story of your vision
The most effective arguments tell a persuasive story. Provide your case with a narrative arc; include characters who populate the world of your vision.
Consider an example
Use examples to make your case more concrete.
Avoid generalizations or abstract language.