Strong connections are vital to a strong argument
This lesson is about making a clear, logical argument. This is the final part of making a strong basic answer.
What does reasoning do in an argument?
Reasoning clarifies the relationship between your claim and evidence.
For example:
- Claim: I like my job.
- Evidence: I earn a high salary. It's far above average in my country.
- Reasoning: So I can spend money on my family, live in a nice apartment and take great vacations.
Two roles of reasoning:
- Reasoning makes your argument stronger.
- It explains why your evidence supports your claim.
- In presentations and business meetings, adding clear reasoning is vital for a strong argument.
- Reasoning allows you to show your best English.
- Claims are basically opinions. Opinions are simple.
- Evidence is straight facts. Also fairly basic.
- Reasoning uses complex language. It shows the connection between two or more things.
NOTE: Clarify reasons vs. reasoning. Reasons are why. Reasoning is the logic that connects your ideas.
Your student (and you) should understand what reasoning is. For a basic guide, read or recommend this blog post: Examiners are stupid, blind, and forgetful.
Reasoning is NOT important sometimes
In casual settings, there is no need for reasoning. For example:
- at a bar: "You have to try these dumplings. They're amazing."
- with a friend: "You haven't seen the original King Kong movie? It's the best! You've got to see it!"
However, a speaking test is not casual. So while you don't always need to add reasoning, it's important in a speaking test if you want to boost your test score.
Identify the reasoning in this answer.
Q. What skill is most important in your workplace?
A. I think good communication is the most important skill. We have to communicate with clients, managers and colleagues. If there's any miscommunication, it costs us time. And, as you know, time is money. Plus, clients have to trust us. Good communication builds trust.
This answer is simple but well-reasoned.
- I think good communication is the most important skill. = claim
- We have to communicate with clients, managers and colleagues. = evidence (examples)
- If there's any miscommunication, it costs us time. = evidence (fact)
- And, as you know, time is money. = reasoning
- Plus, clients have to trust us. = claim #2
- Good communication builds trust. = evidence (fact) & reasoning—in this case, the reasoning is clear. The relationship between the claim and evidence is obvious.
Structures
Teach, or review, these patterns:
- So you can (+ verb).
- So that means...
- The (comparative), the (comparative).
- The more stations there are, the less you have to walk to get to the nearest one.
- The safer the city, the better it is for kids.
- The harder you study, the faster your English will improve!
Simple framework: IF, THEN, SO
- claim: "You should go to Kyoto!"
- evidence: "There are lots of amazing historical temples."
- reasoning: "You can imagine what it was like a long time ago."
Reasoning means connecting the two initial parts of your argument: A + B = C.
- "IF you go to Kyoto," +
- "THEN you can see the beautiful temples," =
- "SO you can imagine what life was like a long time ago. You can see how people lived and feel the ancient lifestyle." [C]
Reasoning is NOT important sometimes
In casual settings, there is no need for reasoning. For example:
- at a bar: "You have to try these dumplings. They're amazing."
- with a friend: "You haven't seen the film Jaws? It's great. You've got to see it."
However, a speaking test is not a casual setting. So while you don't always need to add reasoning, it's important in a speaking test if you want to boost your test score.
Try adding reasoning to these claims and evidence:
Q. Describe your ideal workplace.
Answer 1.
My ideal workplace would be close to my home, maybe a 10-minute commute. On average, it takes me an hour to commute to my workplace every day.
[Add reasoning.]
Answer 2.
My ideal workplace would have plenty of positive private and public feedback. Research shows that the more positive feedback employees receive, the more motivated they become.
[Add reasoning.]
Example answers
- My ideal workplace would be close to my home, maybe a 10-minute commute. On average, it takes me an hour to commute to my workplace every day.
- Reasoning: A 10-minute commute would mean I could save more than 4 hours of commute time every week. Then I'll have more time with my family and friends.
- My ideal workplace would have plenty of positive private and public feedback. Research shows that the more positive feedback employees receive, the more motivated they become.
- Reasoning: A more motivated team means we'll work better together. It might also lead to better retention rates, which makes working more enjoyable with better results, too. So a workplace with lots of positive feedback can directly impact the work we do.
For advanced students
Sometimes reasoning can come before the evidence, as in this example:
| CLAIM | REASONING | EVIDENCE |
|---|---|---|
| My university is the best university in the country. | Good universities educate students so that they are able to find good jobs and contribute to society. | More than 80% of graduates of my university go to work in Fortune 500 companies, the government or scientific institutions. |
Your teacher has 3 more questions for you. Answer them with clear reasoning.