The Logic of an Article

1.       The main purpose of this article is ______________________________________________

(State as accurately as possible the author’s purpose for writing the article.)

2.       The key question that the author addresses ___________________________________

(Figure out the key question in the mind of the author when s/he wrote the article.)

3.       The most important information in this article is ____________________________________

(Figure out the facts, experiences, data the author uses to support her/his conclusions.)

4.       The main inferences/conclusions in this article are __________________________________

(Identify the key conclusions the author comes to and presents in the article.)

5.       The key concept(s) we need to understand in this article is (are) _______________________

By these concepts the author means _____________________________________________

(Figure out the most important ideas you would have to understand in order to grasp the author’s line of reasoning.)

6.       The main assumption(s) underlying the author’s thinking is (are)_______________________

(Figure out what the author takes for granted [that might be questioned].)

7.       If we take this line of reasoning seriously, the implications are ________________________

(What consequences are likely to follow if people take the author’s line of reasoning seriously?)

8.       If we fail to take this line of reasoning seriously, the implications are ___________________

(What consequences are likely to follow if people ignore the author’s reasoning?)

9.       The main point(s) of view presented in this article is (are) _____________________________

(What is the author looking at, and how does s/he see it?)