What This Document Is
This document contains a series of reading exercises designed to accompany Week One (Topic 1) of COM 362, Argumentation and Advocacy at Grand Canyon University. The exercises focus on developing a core skill in argumentation: identifying premises and conclusions within passages of text. The source material for these exercises is Irving M. Copi’s *Introduction to Logic*, 14th Edition, specifically Chapter 1.
Why This Document Matters
This resource is essential for students enrolled in COM 362 who are learning the fundamentals of logical reasoning. Successfully completing these exercises will reinforce understanding of argument structure, a foundational element for constructing and evaluating persuasive arguments. It’s used as a practice component to solidify comprehension of the assigned reading from Copi’s text.
Common Limitations or Challenges
This document provides practice problems *only*. It does not offer detailed explanations of logic principles, nor does it provide a comprehensive overview of argumentation theory. Students will still need to engage with the textbook and other course materials to fully grasp the concepts. This preview does not provide solutions to the problems.
What This Document Provides
The document includes ten passages from various sources – including the U.S. Constitution, René Descartes, and *The New York Times* – each followed by a prompt to identify the premises and conclusions. One example problem with a solution is provided as a guide. The full document contains the ten problems, but not their solutions.