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Criteria for Evaluating Reasoning
1)
Purpose:
What is the purpose of the reasoner? Is the purpose clearly stated
or clearly implied? Is it justifiable?
2)
Question:
Is the question at issue well-stated? Is it clear and unbiased? Does
the expression of the question do justice to the complexity of the matter at
issue? Are the question and purpose directly relevant to each other?
3)
Information:
Does the writer cite relevant evidence, experiences, and / or
information essential to the issue? Is the information accurate? Does the writer
address the complexities of the issue?
4)
Concepts:
Does the writer clarify key concepts when necessary? Are the
concepts used justifiably?
5)
Assumptions:
Does the writer show a sensitivity to what he or she is taking
for granted or assuming? (Insofar as those assumptions might reasonably be
questioned?) Does the writer use questionable assumptions without
addressing problems which might be inherent in those assumptions?
6)
Inferences:
Does the writer develop a line of reasoning explaining well how
he / she is arriving at his / her main conclusions?
7)
Point of View:
Does the writer show a sensitivity to alternative relevant points
of view or lines of reasoning? Does he / she consider and respond to
objections framed from other relevant points of view?
8)
Implications:
Does the writer show a sensitivity to the implications and
consequences of the position he / she is taking?