How to critically analyse arguments, viewpoints or ideas The table below summarizes the criteria for judging the strengths and weaknesses of an argument, viewpoint or idea: reasons support the argument argument is substantiated by evidence evidence for the argument is relevant evidence for the argument is unbiased, sufficient and important evidence is reputable balanced clear logical convincing Evaluating Arguments, Views or Ideas Strengths Weaknesses Reasons and evidence provided support the argument the reasons or evidence do not support the argument - overgeneralization Substantiated (supported) by factual evidence insufficient substantiation (support) Evidence is relevant and believable Based on peripheral or irrelevant evidence Unbiased: sufficient or important evidence or ideas included and considered. biased: overlooks, omits, disregards, or is selective with important or relevant evidence or ideas. Evidence from reputable or authoritative sources evidence relies on non reputable or unrecognized sources Balanced: considers opposing views unbalanced: does not consider opposing views Clear, not confused, unambiguous confused, ambiguous Logical, consistent the reasons do not follow logically from and support the arguments; arguments or ideas are inconsistent Convincing unconvincing Critical analysis examples of arguments, viewpoints or ideas The validity of this argument is questionable as there is insufficient evidence to support it. Many writers have challenged Jones’ claim on the grounds that ……. This argument fails to draw on the evidence of others in the field. This explanation is incomplete because it does not explain why… The key problem with this explanation is that ……
 The existing accounts fail to resolve the contradiction between … However, there is an inconsistency with this argument. The inconsistency lies in… Although this argument has been proposed by some, it lacks justification. However, the body of evidence showing that… contradicts this argument.