Use the following template to evaluate the author’s reasoning in the assigned articles. 

1. The main purpose of this article is _____________________________________________ 

(What was the author’s intent in writing the article?  What was the author trying to accomplish?) 

2. The key question the author is trying to address is _______________________________ 

3. The most important information in this article is _________________________________ 

(What facts, experiences, and/or data is the author using to support his or her conclusions?) 

4. The main inferences in this articles are _________________________________________ 

(What are the most important conclusions the author comes to and presents in the article?) 

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

(What are the most important ideas you would have to know to understand the author’s reasoning?) 

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

(What is the author taking for granted that might be questioned?) 

7. If we accept this line of reasoning (even partially), the implications are _____________ 

(What consequences are likely to follow if you accept this line of reasoning, even partially?) 

    If we do not accept this line of reasoning, the implications are ____________________ 

 (What consequences are likely to follow if you ignore this line of reasoning?) 

8. The main point(s) of view presented in this article is (are) ________________________ 

Sources

Analyzing the Logic the article from the Paul-Elder Framework?  (link)